Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and systems of lapping a row bar of sliders, where the systems and methods use externally mounted laser components to focus laser energy on an area of an individual slider that can absorb the laser energy in a manner to cause at least the write pole and/or reader to protrude more relative to one or more other slider components (e.g., a reader) during lapping.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: providing a light source unit including a laser diode; providing a slider having a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section thereon, the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section including a magnetic pole, an optical waveguide, and a plasmon generator, the magnetic pole and the optical waveguide both extending toward an air bearing surface, the plasmon generator being located between the magnetic pole and the optical waveguide; driving the laser diode to allow a light beam to be emitted therefrom, the light beam including both a TE polarization component and a TM polarization component; performing an alignment between the light source unit and the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head section, based on a light intensity distribution of the TE polarization component in the light beam which has been emitted from the laser diode and then passed through the optical waveguide; and bonding the light source unit

Abstract: A method is provided for preserving the transverse biasing of a GMR (or MR) read head during back-end processing. In a first preferred embodiment, the method comprises magnetizing the longitudinal biasing layers of the read head in a transverse direction, so that the resulting field at the position of the transverse biasing layer places it in a minimum of potential energy which stabilizes its direction. The field of the longitudinal biasing layer is then reset to the longitudinal direction in a manner which maintains the transverse biasing direction. In a second embodiment, a novel fixture for mounting the read head during processing includes a magnetic portion which stabilizes the transverse bias of the read head. The two methods may be used singly or in combination.

Abstract: A method of making a perpendicular magnetic recording head for use in a data storage device includes forming a first pole layer, a second pole layer, a third pole layer, and a shield layer of a write section. The first pole layer, second pole layer, third pole layer, and shield layer are formed without using a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method next includes concurrently trimming the shield layer and a write pole that is defined by the third pole layer to a predetermined track width. In the trimming step, the shield layer is used as a mask for the write pole.

Abstract: A writing magnetic pole portion composed of a first magnetic film and a second magnetic film formed on the first magnetic film via a gap film is fabricated on a given wafer. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is swung forward and backward around a rotation standard axis parallel to a center line of the writing magnetic pole portion in a direction parallel to a surface of the. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is milled during the swing of the writing magnetic pole portion to define the width of the writing magnetic pole portion.

Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant comprised of different first and second polymers The solid encapsulant is comprised of a polymer prepared by polymerizing an encapsulant fluid comprising a homogeneous mixture of first and second constituents. The first constituent is comprised of a first monomer suitable for in situ polymerization to form the first polymer. The second constituent is comprised of the second polymer or a second monomer suitable for in situ polymerization to form the second polymer. The first constituent does not substantially react with the second constituent. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.

Abstract: A tape head module assembly method is disclosed. A first and second module holder are placed in an initial alignment with module holder ends facing each other, the module ends each holding a tape head module. A tape wrap angle between the first and second module is set by first performing a fringe alignment and then lifting a rear end of the first and second module holder a prescribed amount. A horizontal adjuster produces a rotation for the first module holder so that gaps between the first and second modules are parallel. An alignment along a longitudinal axis for the second module holder is selected and the second module is translated laterally until the second tape head module held by the second module holder is aligned with the first tape head module held by the first module holder to provide reader-opposite-writer track-to-track registration. Then, the first and second tape head modules are joined together using a joining agent in the gap between the first and second tape head modules.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are provided for handling and transporting pairs of gap merge disks. A transfer member is provided in one embodiment which engages the outer perimeter of a pair of disks at three locations. The transfer member is configured to induce an angled tilt to the respective disks such that the bottom perimeter edges of the disks are spaced apart and the top perimeter edges of the disks are in contact. A mandrel is also provided which is configured to engage a pair of disks oriented in this fashion at the center aperture for purposes of transferring the pair of disks from the transport device to a second location for processing or transfer to another processing device.

Abstract: The present invention is an object to provide an apparatus or a method making it possible to easily effect connection between additional electrodes, etc. and lead electrodes when performing a processing for achieving a predetermined throat height value or crown processing or the like and making it possible to measure the requisite lapping amount. For achieving the object, a flexible electrode extension sheet is used which consists of a portion for retaining a ceramic bar in which element portions are formed and a portion where there are formed wirings respectively in correspondence with the elements and adapted to be connected to these elements, in which these wirings, which can be easily connected to an external measurement system, are electrically connected to the elements, whereby the lapping amount is easily obtained from the characteristic amount of the elements in the lapping process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistance effect device, including: forming a first ferromagnetic body, a nonmagnetic dielectric layer on the first ferromagnetic body, and a second ferromagnetic body on the nonmagnetic dielectric layer; etching part of an external region of a predetermined ferromagnetic tunnel junction region using a first linear mask pattern which is traversing the predetermined ferromagnetic tunnel junction region; and etching another part of the external region of the predetermined ferromagnetic tunnel junction region using a second linear mask pattern which is traversing the predetermined ferromagnetic tunnel junction region and intersecting with the first linear mask pattern.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, including the steps of applying a magnetic coating containing ferromagnetic powder and a binder onto a nonmagnetic band-shaped flexible base material to be transferred to form a magnetic layer, and grinding the magnetic layer continuously with a grinding wheel on the downstream side of transfer, wherein a cleaning device which cleans a grindstone of the grinding wheel is additionally provided in close proximity of the grinding wheel to clean the grindstone during the grinding operation.

Abstract: A method for handling workpieces such as hard disk drive sliders during a debonding process uses a fixture having two sets of finger-like projections that are interleaved. The sets are movable relative to each other to space apart the sliders after they are processed from their original row configuration. The post-processing separation is required to properly debond the sliders. The fingers on each set are closely interleaved to reduce the amount of displacement required to adequately separate the sliders for debonding. After the sliders are displaced, they are directly debonded into the inspection trays. This design eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpieces during these phases of manufacturing.

Abstract: In a method to manufacture a bar in which a row of slider sections are aligned, a wafer block is made from a wafer in which rows of slider sections are aligned. The wafer block is bonded to a dummy block on a support plate. Next, a processing step and a cutting step are repeated. The processing step is to perform specific processing on the medium facing surfaces of a row of slider sections in the medium facing surface of the wafer block bonded to the support plate. The cutting step is to cut the wafer block together with the support plate such that the row of slider sections whose medium facing surfaces have received the specific processing are separated from the wafer block to be the bar.

Abstract: A writing magnetic pole portion composed of a first magnetic film and a second magnetic film formed on the first magnetic film via a gap film is fabricated on a given wafer. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is swung forward and backward around a rotation standard axis parallel to a center line of the writing magnetic pole portion in a direction parallel to a surface of the. Then, the writing magnetic pole portion is milled during the swing of the writing magnetic pole portion to define the width of the writing magnetic pole portion.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head which protects the front P2 pole tip during the ion mill patterning of the yoke is described. A front connecting pedestal is electroplated over the front P2 pole tip slightly behind the ABS, and a back gap connecting pedestal is electroplated over the back gap P2 pedestal. Insulator materials are formed over the front P2 pole tip, over the front connecting pedestal, and in between the front and the back gap connecting pedestals. Next, a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is performed over the top of the structure to form a substantially planar top surface. A full-film of yoke layer materials is then sputter deposited over this top surface, followed by the formation of a photoresist mask slightly behind the ABS. When the yoke layer materials are subsequently ion milled to form the yoke, the front P2 pole tip is protected by the surrounding insulator.

Abstract: A process for directly debonding sliders during single slider processing includes placing the sliders in pockets in a divider with one surface of each slider contacting a tape. A planerization material encapsulates the portions of the sliders which are not in contact with the tape. The planerization material is cured and the assembly is bonded to a process carrier. After ABS are etched into the sliders, the sliders are debonded by heating, cleaned, and inspected. The divider is removed from the carrier with the sliders still attached to the divider by the planerization material. The divider is then sandwiched between two lids to form a shim stack to enhance removal of the planerization material. The planerization material is removed in a hot solvent ultra-sonic bath and the lids are then removed for additional cleaning and inspection of the sliders.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device having a first pole, a second pole, and a first tapered pole pedestal therebetween and magnetically connected to the second pole. The first tapered pole has a width that increases with increasing distance away from the air bearing surface, ABS. The magnetoresistive device can also include a second tapered pole pedestal magnetically connected to the first pole, and separated from the first tapered pole pedestal by a write gap. The second tapered pole pedestal has a width that increases with increasing distance away from the air bearing surface. A method of the present invention includes defining the trackwidth of a write element by lapping a tapered pole pedestal. More specifically, the trackwidth is given by a known taper angle, a zero throat width, and a throat height, wherein the throat height is controlled precisely by lapping.

Abstract: A method for forming a disc stack assembly suitable for use in a disc drive. A number of discs are loaded onto a spindle motor hub and a disc clamp assembly is installed to secure the discs to the hub. The disc clamp assembly includes an annular retaining ring and a substantially planar, disc shaped clamp plate. The annular retaining ring is secured within an annular ring recess of the spindle motor hub and deforms the clamp plate so that the clamp plate applies an axially directed clamping force to the discs. The disc clamp includes an annular hat flange. The disc stack assembly is preferably balanced by selectively removing material from the hat flange or by attaching a balance weight to the hat flange.

Abstract: The invention allows a thin-film magnetic head that meets specifications required by the customer to be provided in a short period of time and manufacturing costs to be reduced. A slider of a magnetic head of the invention comprises two thin-film magnetic head element portions formed near an end face orthogonal to the direction of air flow. On the end face four pad-shaped electrodes are provided for electrically connecting the two head element portions to an external device. The electrodes are selectively connected to one of the head element portions through four conductors.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head having a means for cutting a wafer into bars, each bar having a plurality of thin-film magnetic head sliders which are sequentially coupled with each other, a means for identifying the bar to be worked to generate an identification signal which indicates identity of said bar, a means for obtaining data of said bar in a unit of bar depending upon said identification signal, and a means for processing at least one working of said bar on the basis of said obtained data of said bar.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing magnetic heads is provided in which a slider and a back yoke are joined to form a magnetic head main body. The main body is then fixedly bonded to a holding member that supports the magnetic head as a single unit. A plurality of such magnetic heads are placed circumferentially on a soft adhesive sheet attached to a cylindrical base block. Touch lapping is then performed to a slider surface of the magnetic heads with a slurry on a surface table. Processing faces of the heads can be positioned flush with the surface table due to an elasticity of the soft adhesive sheet, thereby equally minimizing lapping amounts.

Abstract: When manufacturing a thin film magnetic head, a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole are magnetically coupled and face each other in a recording-medium-facing surface. A gap layer is in between the first and second magnetic pole. A thin film coil for generating magnetic flux is also included. A first magnetic layer is formed. A first magnetic pole is then formed on the first magnetic layer so as to be magnetically coupled to part of the first magnetic layer. A first insulating layer is formed with an inorganic material extendedly from a surface of the first magnetic pole opposite to the recording-medium-facing surface to a top surface of the first magnetic layer. The gap layer is formed on the first magnetic pole. Then the second magnetic pole is formed on the gap layer longer than the first magnetic pole. The second magnetic layer is formed so as to be magnetically coupled to part of the second magnetic pole.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a lower shielding layer composed of a magnetic material; a nonmagnetic MR gap layer on the lower shielding layer; a magnetoresistive element layer in the MR gap layer facing a recording medium; a lower core layer composed of a magnetic material on the MR gap layer; an upper core layer composed of a magnetic material being opposed to the lower core layer with a nonmagnetic gap layer therebetween at the surface facing the recording medium; and a coil layer for inducing a recording magnetic field in the lower core layer and the upper core layer. Alternatively, a thin film magnetic head further includes a first magnetic material layer in the rear of the lower shielding layer, magnetically separated from the lower shielding layer. A method of fabricating the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a magnetic head is capable of correctly setting a raw bar, which includes small sliders, on to a supporting jig, machining the raw bars precisely and improving yield of manufacturing sliders. The method comprises the steps of forming a magnetizable layer, on a surface of a substrate whose thickness is greater than a length of said slider; and cutting said wafer into a raw bar after forming the layers.

Abstract: A disc-shaped substrate for a disc-shaped optical recording medium is accurately and stably positioned and held during a sputtering process. A non-sputtering surface of the disc-shaped substrate opposite to a sputtering surface has a circular recess formed at a center thereof. A carrier, on which the disc-shaped substrate is supported during the sputtering process, has a projective member for fitting into the circular recess to accurately position and hold the disc-shaped substrate during the sputtering process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of polishing a workpiece having a plurality of resistance elements by operating a plurality of bend mechanisms to push/pull the workpiece with respect to a polishing surface. This method includes the steps of measuring a shape of the workpiece, calculating an operational amount of each bend mechanism according to the shape measured, pressing the workpiece on the polishing surface with the bend mechanisms according to the operational amount calculated, and updating the operational amount according to a working amount of the workpiece. According to this method, magnetic heads included in the workpiece can be stably polished.

Abstract: A media rework tool for discs and/or a spindle motor carrying a disc pack is disclosed that has a slider plate mounted on a base for lateral movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The slider plate holds a spindle motor with a disc pack mounted on it, and moves between the two positions. The tool includes a gripper assembly having a plurality of opposing arms for grasping predetermined discs within a disc pack on the spindle motor when the slider plate is in the retracted position. The gripper assembly raises the predetermined discs and any intermediate spacer rings upward for temporary storage on a media guide to allow the remainder of the disc pack to be reworked, such as for replacement of a defective disc or spindle motor when the slider plate is laterally moved to the extended position. Following reworking of the remainder of the disc pack, the spindle motor is returned to its centered position relative to the media guide and the gripper assembly.

Abstract: A device for processing workpieces utilizes a frame and a fixture. The frame has a perimeter with an opening, and inner and outer side walls. A pair of shelves are located in the opening for supporting a workpiece and a spring retains the workpiece on the frame. The fixture has work locations with elevators that are moved by an elevator handle. The fixture also has an engagement handle for actuating the springs. The workpieces may be simultaneously mounted to or removed from the frames with the fixture. The frames are loaded into the locations and both handles are rotated to raise the elevators and bend the springs. The workpieces are then placed on top of the elevators, and the elevator handle is rotated to lower the workpieces. Next, the engagement handle is rotated to release the springs to form assemblies that can be removed from the fixture.

Abstract: A process to perform a flaring operation on a rotating electrical device (stator) designed with a number of these spaced axially oriented splines around its perimeter. The design of the stator requires that these perimeter splines possess a flared outer end, creating a rounded cavity contour between adjacent splines to effectively retaining the stator winding in place. The method of this invention reduces damage to the stator windings and allows more wire fill during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head that has a read head with a track width includes the steps of depositing a read track width defining material layer on a read sensor material layer; forming a bi-layer photoresist mask on the read track width defining material layer that masks a read track width defining layer portion of the read track width defining material layer; removing by reactive ion etching (RIE) a portion of the read track width defining material layer not masked by the photoresist mask to form the read track width defining layer portion with exposed first and second side edges that are spaced apart a distance equal to the track width; removing by ion milling a first portion of the read sensor material layer not masked by the read track width defining layer portion to form a second portion of the read sensor material layer with exposed first and second side edges that have a width equal to the track width; depositing hard bias and lead material layers on the photoresist mask in contact with the firs

Abstract: A fixture for assembling and testing a read/write head comprised of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) that allows gimbaling along pitch and roll axes and that utilizes an inexpensive spherical gimbal ball pressed into an etched hole in the load beam for providing a highly accurate and measurable pivot location of a slider. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension of the type supporting a slider, and comprising the suspension. A gimbal opening is formed in the load beam, and extends therethrough so that it receives the spherical gimbal ball for attachment to the load beam. A resilient flexure is secured to the load beam and supports the slider. The backside of the gimbal ball remains visible for the option of optical bonding of the slider to the suspension and for measurement of the slider position relative to the gimbal ball subsequent to the assembly of the HGA. The fixture is comprised of a top plate for holding the suspension assembly and a bottom plate for holding the slider.

Abstract: An apparatus for lapping a workpiece including a plurality of magnetic heads supported by a tool is disclosed. The lapping apparatus comprises a rotary lapping table, a lapping head attachment frame, an adjuster ring resiliently supported by the frame, a lapping head attached to the adjuster ring, a tilting assembly attached to the lapping head, and an up and down movable back plate pivotally attached to the lapping head. The apparatus further comprises first actuators or cylinders for correcting balance by applying forces on right and left sides of the pivotal point of the back plate, and second actuators or cylinders for correcting bow of the workpiece by applying operating forces on a plurality of predetermined locations of the tool so that the moving directions of movable parts of the second actuator means are substantially parallel with the directions of the operating forces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head includes a step of cutting a wafer into bars, each bar having a plurality of thin-film magnetic head sliders which are sequentially coupled with each other, a step of identifying the bar to be worked to generate an identification signal which indicates identity of the bar, a step of obtaining data of the bar in a unit of bar depending upon the identification signal, and a step of processing at least one working of the bar on the basis of the obtained data of the bar.