Abstract: A method of forming a read head. The method includes forming first and second read sensors. A first read measurement is performed on a storage medium using the first read sensor. A second read measurement is performed on the storage medium using the second read sensor. Based on a comparison of the first and second read measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first read sensor or the second read sensor is selected to be operational in a data storage device.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board having a support opening portion, a base insulating layer disposed at one side of the metal supporting board, and a conductive layer disposed at one side of the base insulating layer and including a plurality of terminal portions overlapped with the support opening portion and disposed at spaced intervals to each other. The base insulating layer includes a plurality of base opening portions that are disposed between the plurality of terminal portions in an arrangement direction, a plurality of thick portions that are overlapped with each of end portions of the plurality of terminal portions in a direction orthogonal to both directions of the thickness direction and the arrangement direction, and a plurality of thin portions that are disposed along edge portions of the plurality of base opening portions between the plurality of thick portions and are thinner than the plurality of thick portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a structure for a perpendicular microwave-assisted magnetic recording head used in a magnetic disk drive. A first spin-torque oscillator and a second spin-torque oscillator are positioned between the main pole of a recording head and a trailing shield, and are separated by a spin torque shield layer. The first spin-torque oscillator comprises a first magnetic layer, a first non-magnetic interlayer, and a second magnetic layer. The second spin-torque oscillator comprises a third magnetic layer, a second non-magnetic interlayer, and a fourth magnetic layer. An applied current is adapted to flow in a direction from the second magnetic layer to the first magnetic layer, and from the fourth magnetic layer to the third magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head capable of easily and accurately forming a main magnetic-pole layer having a shape suitable for concentrating a magnetic flux is provided. A nonmagnetic layer having a recessed section (a first recessed section and a second recessed section) is formed, and then an additional nonmagnetic layer is formed on an inner surface of the recessed section. Then, a magnetic layer is formed in the recessed section formed with the additional nonmagnetic layer, and then the magnetic layer is cut to form an air bearing surface, so as to form the main magnetic-pole layer.

Abstract: A first trench sidewall has a continuous first taper angle that terminates at a first plane. At least one layer may be deposited that forms a second trench sidewall with a continuous second taper angle that extends a predetermined depth past the first plane and is less than the first taper angle. A write pole may then be formed on the second trench sidewall with the write pole being closer to the first trench sidewall at the predetermined depth than at the first plane.

Abstract: An electrical signal processing device includes at least one thin film flux generator and at least one thin film magnetic sensor. Each flux generator includes at least one conductive induction line that is connected to at least one lead of a pair of input leads, and a yoke that surrounds the conductive induction line. The yoke has at least one pair of pole tips, and a gap is disposed between the end surfaces of each pair of pole tips. A magnetic sensor is disposed in the gap, and a pair of output leads is connected to the sensor. An alternative embodiment may include two or more conductive induction lines that are connected to respective separate pairs of input leads. Alternatively, two or more conductive induction lines may connect to one another to form an induction coil. The flux generator and magnetic sensor are preferably formed on a single substrate to create an integrated device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic write head, in accordance with one embodiment, includes forming a beveled write pole. A conformal spacer may be formed upon a portion of a flare length proximate a tip of the write pole. A shield layer may also be formed upon the conformal spacer adjacent the flare length proximate the tip of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic head (slider) which requires no lapping is described. The head is fabricated with an air bearing surface that is parallel to the wafer surface. The saw cuts used to separate the individual sliders from the rest of the wafer are perpendicular to the air-bearing surface and do not pass through any critical features. The read and write components are formed from thin films disposed parallel to the air bearing surface and can be side-by-side or tandem in relation to the recording track. The stripe height of the read sensor is controlled by the deposition process rather than by lapping. Various embodiments of the read head include contiguous junction biasing, external hard magnet biasing, and in-stack biasing. In one embodiment a permeable field collector is included below the sensor layer structure. An aperture shield surrounding the sensor at the ABS is included in one embodiment.

Abstract: Magnetic heads capable of recording and reading with high sensitivity and resolution are provided by minimizing the outflow of magnetic fluxes from a flux guide to magnetic shields while using a flux guide structure for an MR element. In the magnetic head, magnetic shields exposed on a surface opposite a magnetic recording medium (air bearing surface) and a flux guide exposed between the magnetic heads via a non-magnetic layer are provided, and magnetic fluxes are guided by the flux guide to a magnetoresistive (MR) element formed in a position not exposed on the air bearing surface. The height of the magnetic shields in direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface is less than the distance from the air bearing surface to the MR element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor for use in a data storage device has a recessed sensing element (magnetic tunnel junction, CPP spin valve, etc.) with an exchange biased sensing ferromagnetic (free) layer, and a flux guide that magnetically connects the sensing element to a sensing surface of the sensor. The free layer is selectively exchange biased by a layer of exchange bias material placed under non-active regions of the free layer that lie outside the sensing element and flux guide track widths. The flux guide is provided by extending the free layer from a forward edge of the sensing element to the sensor surface. Advantageously, the sensing element and the flux guide have equal track width so that magnetic flux directed from the flux guide into the sensing element is not diluted with consequent loss of sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention is a side-by-side inductive head structure having a considerably reduced separation between the read and write elements of the head structure. The present invention also provides a thin film inductive head design to minimize rework during a fabrication process.

Abstract: A process for forming the P2 pole tip/yoke interface of a magnetic head that includes a second CMP polishing step that is performed on the surface of the write head wafer subsequent to the plating of the P2 pole tip thereon, and subsequent to a first CMP step. This second CMP step utilizes a relatively soft polishing pad and an acidic polishing slurry which preferentially attacks the P2 pole tip material. This results in the recession of the upper surface of the P2 pole tip relative to the dielectric layer surrounding it, and significant rounding of the upper edges of the dielectric trench in which the P2 pole tip is formed. Thereafter, when the yoke is plated onto the P2 pole tip the rounded upper edges of the dielectric trench result in a concave curved interface between the yoke and the P2 pole tip.

Abstract: A spin valve sensor in a read head has a spacer layer which is located between a self-pinned AP pinned layer structure and a free layer structure. The free layer structure is longitudinally stabilized by first and second hard bias layers which abut first and second side surfaces of the spin valve sensor. The AP pinned layer structure has an antiparallel coupling layer (APC) which is located between first and second AP pinned layers (AP1) and (AP2). The invention employs a preferential setting of the magnetic moments of the AP pinned layers by applying a field at an acute angle to the head surface in a plane parallel to the major planes of the layers of the sensor. The preferential setting sets a proper polarity of each AP pinned layer, which polarity conforms to processing circuitry employed with the spin valve sensor.

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 conventional magnetic head has a structure, in which a MR element and a recording element are stacked. The influence of a recording magnetic field on the magnetically sensitive portion of a reproduction element is lessened and the performance of the MR element is stabilized. Also, the reliability of the magnetic disk drive using a MR element is enhanced. The magnetic disk drive uses a composite magnet head, which has a plurality of reproduction elements arranged such that the magnetically sensitive layer of a reproduction element of the composite magnetic head does not overlap with the normal direction projection of the recording element, and which lessens the influence of a recording magnetic field on the magnetically sensitive portion of each reproduction element.

Abstract: A process of forming a two-piece pole for an inductive write head involves first forming a first pole piece having a width between opposite side surfaces defining a gap width of a transducing gap at an air bearing surface of the head. The process next involves forming a second pole piece having a first region remote from the air bearing surface and a second region extending from the first region toward the air bearing surface. The first region is wider than the width of the first pole piece. The second pole piece is formed so that at least a portion of the second region is contiguous a portion of the first pole piece and so that no sharp external corners exist between the first pole tip piece and the second pole piece within a pole tip region of the head.

Abstract: A method of making an inductive transducer having inorganic nonferromagnetic material disposed in an apex region adjacent to a submicron nonferromagnetic gap in a magnetic core. The inorganic nonferromagnetic apex region can be made by chemical etching of a layer of inorganic nonferromagnetic material, deposition of inorganic nonferromagnetic material through a mask that is then lifted-off, or anisotropic etching of a layer of inorganic nonferromagnetic material that is covered by a hardbaked photoriesist mask.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head comprises the steps of forming a bottom pole layer, forming a gap layer, forming a top pole layer, and forming a thin-film coil. The thin-film coil is wound around the top pole layer in a helical manner. In the step of forming the bottom pole layer, the bottom pole layer is formed to include a first layer facing a portion of the thin-film coil, and a second layer that forms a pole portion and is connected to a surface of the first layer facing the top pole layer. In the step of forming the thin-film coil, a portion of the coil is disposed on a side of the second layer and another portion of the coil is disposed over the top pole layer via an insulating film.

Abstract: A magnetic reproducing head and a magnetic recording head. The magnetic reproducing head includes a GMR or TMR magnetic sensor, and a flux guide for introducing a magnetic flux into the magnetic sensor. At least a portion of the flux guide includes a material which is capable of permitting the magnetic flux to pass therethrough at a temperature not lower than a predetermined temperature Tp, but not permitting the magnetic flux to pass therethrough at a temperature lower than Tp. Light is irradiated to only a portion of the flux guide to cause the temperature of the irradiated portion to rise up to Tp or more, thereby permitting a magnetic flux to pass only through the irradiated portion, thus narrowing the track width of magnetic reproducing head when detecting recorded information from the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic head for reproducing a signal recorded on a recording medium, includes a substrate, a magnetic head core provided on the substrate, having a magnetic gap, and a magnetoresistance device provided on the magnetic head core. The magnetic head core is provided in such a manner that a thickness direction of the magnetic head core around the magnetic gap is substantially the same as a track width direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive device is improved in characteristics by removing a surface oxide film to reduce the resistance and reducing an ion beam damage. The magneto-resistive device has a magneto-resistive layer which comprises a tunnel barrier layer, an underlying pinned layer, and an overlying free layer. A non-magnetic layer is formed on the free layer for protection. A composite-layer film comprised of an insulating layer and a damage reducing layer is formed in contact with an effective region which is effectively involved in detection of magnetism in the magneto-resistive layer without overlapping with the effective region. The damage reducing layer is made of a material which includes at least one element, the atomic weight of which is larger than that of silicon. The insulating layer and damage reducing layer do not constitute a magnetic domain control layer for applying a biasing magnetic field to the free layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a second pole piece layer of a write head is constructed using first and second photoresist layers which are sensitive to light with different bandwidths. The second photoresist layer, which is on top of the first photoresist layer, is light exposed with light that excludes light that would change the molecular structure of the first or bottom photoresist layer. After light exposure and development of the second photoresist layer to provide an opening for yoke and back gap portions of the second pole piece layer, the first photoresist layer is light exposed with light that includes the light excluded in the light exposure step of the second photoresist layer. The light exposure of the first photoresist layer and its developing provides the first photoresist layer with an opening for electroplating the second pole tip of the second pole piece layer.

Abstract: An integrated read/write perpendicular recording head facilitates the use of magnetic storage media having a high magnetic recording density and high data rates. The use of a perpendicular write portion provides adequate space between the main and opposing poles for a read element and associated electrical contacts therebetween. The use of a differential dual spin valve as a read element eliminates the need for magnetic shielding of the read element. Such a structure permits the read element and main write pole to be close together, thereby minimizing seek time, and permitting rapid transition from read to write operations, and vice versa.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive thin film magnetic head is provided, which magnetic head includes: a base; a first yoke provided on the base and separated by a gap into first and second portions, the first portion including a side which opposes a magnetic recording medium; a magneto-resistive element which is magnetically coupled to the first and second portions of the first yoke and detects a magnetic recording signal; a second yoke formed on the first yoke so as to form a reproducing head gap between the first portion of the first yoke and the second yoke; and a third yoke provided between the first portion of the first yoke and the base so as to be magnetically coupled to the first portion of the first yoke. The reproducing head gap, the first portion of the first yoke, the magneto-resistive element, the second portion of the first yoke, ad the second yoke form a cut magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A merged read/write magnetic recording head comprises a low magnetic moment first magnetic shield layer over a substrate. A read gap layer with a magnetoresistive head is formed over the first shield layer. A shared pole comprises a low magnetic moment second magnetic shield layer plated on a sputtered seed PLM layer over the read gap layer, a non-magnetic layer plated over the PLM layer and a HMM lower pole layer plated over the second magnetic shield layer. A write gap layer is formed over the first high magnetic moment pole layer of the shared pole. An upper pole comprises a high magnetic moment pole layer over the write gap layer.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head employs pole tips members which are coplanar in a plane across the write gap to produce a written track whose width is determined by the thickness of the pole tip members. The coplanar write structure may be combined with a multilayer read sensor disposed in the write gap to produce a narrow trackwidth thin film magnetic head having both write and read capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a yoke type magnetoresistive (MR) composite thin film head having no other gap than the recording/reproducing gap so as to increase the recording characteristics and reproduction characteristics. A magnetic gap 70 is formed between a front portion of an upper pole 6 and a front portion of a lower pole 1, whereas a rear portion of the upper pole 6 and a rear portion of the lower pole 1 are magnetically connected to form a magnetic flux path. A mesa pattern 2 is provided apart from the magnetic gap 70 and a magnetoresistive element (MR pattern) 3 is arranged on a front slope 2a of the mesa pattern 2. The upper pole 6 and the lower pole 1 are magnetically bridged via the MR element 3, so as to form a separate magnetic flux flow path via the MR element 3. This separate magnetic flux flow path is used for reproduction of a magnetic recording information. A write-in coil is arranged on the mesa pattern 2.

Abstract: A hard disk drive head operates in close proximity and dynamic contact with a rapidly spinning rigid disk surface, the head including a transducer with a magnetically permeable path between a poletip disposed adjacent to the disk surface and a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor situated outside the range of thermal noise generated by the surface contact. The magnetically permeable path is the same as that used to write data to the disk, eliminating errors that occur in conventional transducers having MR sensors at a separate location from the writing poletips. Moreover, the magnetically permeable path is preferably formed in a low profile, highly efficient “planar” loop that allows for manufacturing tolerances in throat height and wear of the terminal poletips from disk contact without poletip saturation or poletip smearing. The MR layer is formed in one of the first manufacturing steps atop the substrate, so that the MR layer has a relatively uniform planar template that is free from contaminants.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reading device having a magnetic head assembly in which a magnetic head is mounted on a suspension, an R/W-IC having a line width of not more than 0.35 &mgr;m and a magnetic disk medium having a magnetic recording layer formed on a substrate. The magnetic head assembly has an inductance of not more than 65 nH and has a magnetic path with a length of not more than 35 &mgr;m, wherein a part of the magnetic path is provided with a magnetic film or a multi-layer film consisting of a magnetic film and a non magnetic layer. The magnetic film and the multi-layer film have a resistivity of more than 50 &mgr;&OHgr;cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a yoke type magnetoresistive (MR) composite thin film head having no other gap than the recording/reproducing gap so as to increase the recording characteristics and reproduction characteristics. A magnetic gap 70 is formed between a front portion of an upper pole 6 and a front portion of a lower pole 1, whereas a rear portion of the upper pole 6 and a rear portion of the lower pole 1 are magnetically connected to form a magnetic flux path. A mesa pattern 2 is provided apart from the magnetic gap 70 and a magnetoresistive element (MR pattern) 3 is arranged on a front slope 2a of the mesa pattern 2. The upper pole 6 and the lower pole 1 are magnetically bridged via the MR element 3, so as to form a separate magnetic flux flow path via the MR element 3. This separate magnetic flux flow path is used for reproduction of a magnetic recording information. A write-in coil is arranged on the mesa pattern 2.

Abstract: A method of making a second pole piece layer that has a yoke portion between a pole tip portion and a back gap portion comprising the steps of forming a first photoresist layer that is sensitive to a first bandwidth of light, forming a second photoresist layer on the first photoresist layer that is sensitive to a second bandwidth of light that is different from the first bandwidth of light, after forming the first and second photoresist layers, photopatterning the second photoresist layer with the second bandwidth of light to provide an opening at pole tip, yoke and back gap sites wherein the pole tip, yoke and back gap sites define perimeters for the pole tip, yoke and back gap portions respectively, after photopatterning the second photoresist layer, photopatterning the first photoresist layer with the first bandwidth of light to provide openings at the pole tip, yoke and back gap sites and then plating the pole tip, yoke and back gap portions of the second pole piece layer in the openings of the first and

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having a short magnetic path length by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of a thin film coil to improve flux rising time, NLTS and overwrite characteristics, is efficiently manufactured on a mass scale by forming a write gap layer on a first magnetic layer having a pole portion of the thin film magnetic head opposing to a magnetic record medium, forming, on the write gap layer, a seed layer made of a material which can be easily removed by a reactive ion etching such as Ti—TiN, Mo, W, Al, Ti—TiW, MoSi2 and WSi2, forming coil windings of the thin film coil by electroplating a copper after forming a photoresist having coil-shaped openings formed therein, removing the photoresist, removing selectively the exposed seed layer by the reactive ion etching using a fluorine or chlorine gas, and covering the coil windings with a photoresist.

Abstract: In a method of mass-producing efficiently and promptly a combination type thin film magnetic head having accurately defined short throat height, apex angle, and MR height or the like and capable of making the saturation and leakage of magnetic flux little, even if a magnetic pole portion is miniaturized, a recessed portion is formed in a surface of a substrate, while a first magnetic layer constituting a lower shield for GMR element is used as a mask, a second magnetic layer is formed along an inner wall of the recessed portion, a thin film coil is formed thereon in an isolated state, and a surface is flattened to constitute a common unit for manufacturing combination type thin film magnetic heads. A number of common units are manufactured and stocked without any relationship to users' specifications.

Abstract: A read sensor with self-aligned low resistance leads and a method of making are provided. In the method a masking step has been eliminated by employing first, second and third protective capping layers in the construction of the read sensor and first and second lead layers. The first capping layer serves as a protective layer for the read sensor sites, the second capping layer protects low resistance lead layer portions during removal of the first capping layer from high resistance lead layer sites and then serves as a sacrificial layer during removal of spin valve material from the low resistance lead layer sites. The third capping layer protects the first and second lead layers during milling of low resistance lead layer material in field regions about the read sensor and first and second lead layers. The method aligns front edges of the low resistance lead layer portions with a rear edge of the read sensor so as to lower the overall resistance of the lead layers.

Abstract: In a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer 36, a write gap layer 41 and a second magnetic layer 42, 47 formed on a substrate 31, 32 and one or more thin film coil layers provided between the first and second magnetic layers, in order to shorten a magnetic path length of the thin film coil and to improve characteristics by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of at least one thin film coil layer, a silicon oxide film 37 is formed on the first magnetic layer 36, coil-shaped recesses 38 are formed by a reactive ion etching in a surface of the silicon oxide layer with a narrow spacing, a copper layer is deposited by Cu-CVD, the copper layer is polished by CMP such that the surface of the silicon oxide layer is exposed to form coil windings 40 of the first thin film coil layer, and the write gap layer is formed on the coil windings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a gap layer, and a thin film coil consisting of one or more thin film coil layers.

Abstract: For use with an integrated circuit having a substrate and an insulator coupled to the substrate, a micromagnetic device and method of manufacturing therefor. In one embodiment, the micromagnetic device includes an adhesive coupled to the insulator and a ferromagnetic core, coupled to the adhesive that forms a bond between the insulator and the ferromagnetic core, having an anisotropic property.

Abstract: A magnetic reluctance effect magnetic head in which a forward side electrode is stacked on at least the surface of a magnetic reluctance effect element facing a magnetic recording medium, and in which an upper magnetic pole is stacked on the forward side electrode for facing the magnetic reluctance effect element. A connecting length L1 between the magnetic reluctance effect element and the forward side electrode is shorter than a facing length L2 over which the upper magnetic pole and the magnetic reluctance effect element face each other via a magnetic gap G. The upper magnetic pole and the magnetic reluctance effect element have an area in which the upper magnetic pole and the magnetic reluctance effect element face each other over a distance g2 larger than a magnetic gap length g1 of the magnetic gap G. The upper magnetic pole may be formed to be progressively spaced apart from the magnetic reluctance effect element by being angled 30.degree.