Abstract: A tape drive system is disclosed. The tape drive system includes at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and at least one pack arm assembly. The tape reel assembly includes a hub defining a tape winding surface about which is wound the storage tape. The pack arm assembly is disposed adjacent the tape reel assembly and includes a pack arm and a pin. The pack arm defines a guide defining a pivot end and has at least one flexible flange cantilevered from a side of the guide. The pin is coupled to the tape drive system. In this regard, the pack arm is slidingly coupled to the pin and configured to follow the wound storage tape by moving axially relative to the hub and radially about the pivot end.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterned magnetic media for use in magnetic recording and data storage, and various encoding techniques that can be used to magnetically encode data on the patterned media. For example, a patterned magnetic recording medium can include a first set of surface variations and a second set of surface variations. The medium can be conditioned to magnetically expose the surface variations relative to areas between the respective surface variations. Detection of the surface variations in the first set can allow for synchronization of a magnetic drive to the medium. Following such synchronization, the magnetic drive can selectively apply magnetic fields to a second set of surface variations of the patterned magnetic medium to encode data on the patterned magnetic medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a non-rotating head used in linear scanning of linear magnetic tape. For example, the head may include a non-rotating contoured surface shaped to facilitate flyability of linear magnetic tape passing over the non-rotating contoured surface. A contact area defining a magnetic gap may protrude from the surface. The contact area that projects from the surface can contact the magnetic tape to read data from the tape and/or write data to the tape as the tape flies over the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a linear data storage medium, such as magnetic tape, in which data tracks that extend in one direction are recorded at a different density than data tracks recorded in the opposite direction. Various techniques are also described to facilitate such dual density recording. The invention is particularly advantageous for direction-dependent linear data storage media, by allowing similar error rates to be achieved in both directions on the media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to servo techniques that make use of sequences of servo marks, rather than individual marks for generation of position error signals. In particular, random or pseudo-random sequences of servo marks may be recorded on the medium in an overlapping fashion. For example, a first sequence of marks and a second sequence of marks may overlap in the servo track. The second sequence may be substantially non-correlated with the first sequence, and may be recorded in an offset location along the track relative to the first sequence. Different correlators can be used to detect the different sequences, and position error signals can be generated based on timings associated with the detection of the first sequence relative to the second sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, holographic data storage medium includes a first thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters and a second thermoplastic substrate portion having a thickness less than approximately 2 millimeters. A holographic recording material may be sandwiched between the first and second thermoplastic substrate portions. By making thermoplastic substrate portions sufficiently thin, edge wedge problems can be avoided.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including a substrate, a magnetic side, and a backside. The substrate defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The magnetic side is formed over the first surface of the substrate and defines a recording surface. The backside is coated on the second surface of the substrate and is configured to decrease embossment of the recording surface. The backside defines a backside surface opposite the substrate. The backside surface having a skew less than about 0.5 and a kurtosis less than about 4.0.

Abstract: Servopositioning data is written onto a linear recording medium such that a position error signal (PES) is intentionally created. The signal substantially resembles a conventional time based servo pattern, but is insensitive to transverse position. In a preferred embodiment, the signal at a zero-azimuth, i.e., an angle sufficiently small in value such that there is no significant PES signal associated with the transverse motion.

Abstract: Data storage tape includes a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a recording layer disposed on the first side of the substrate, and a coating disposed on the second side of the substrate. A surface of the coating has a pattern formed therein such that the pattern communicates with at least one of a first edge and a second edge of the data storage tape.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an injection molding tool that has improved grounding. The injection molding process creates significant amounts of static electricity in the molten thermoplastic. This static electricity can be more adequately dissipated from the system through the addition of one or more paths to ground. In this manner, a significant reduction in charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block can be achieved. By reducing or eliminating the amount of charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block, erosion of the mirror block can be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system. The magnetic head assembly includes a magnetic head having a central section, a first outrigger, and a second outrigger. The central section maintains at least one read/write element. The first outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section and forms at least one air bleed slot. The second outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section opposite the first outrigger and also forms at least one air bleed slot. Finally, the central section is laterally moveable relative to the outriggers. With this configuration, the moveable, central section, otherwise used for lateral positioning of the read/write element relative to a magnetic tape, is separated from the outriggers that otherwise minimize a fly height between the magnetic tape and the outriggers.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a data storage tape including servo information on both sides of the tape. Techniques for writing servo information to both sides of the data storage tape are also described. For example, a mechanical arrangement of two servo write heads positioned with respect to the data storage tape can enable two-sided servo recording. In addition, a single servo write head may be used to write servo information to both sides of the data storage tape with the aid of a flux conductor. In that case, the magnetic field of the servo write head passes through the data storage tape to record servo information on both sides of the tape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterned magnetic media for use in magnetic recording and data storage, and various conditioning techniques that can be used to magnetically condition the patterns. For example, a medium can be formed to exhibit a pattern of surface variations defined by patterned areas and non-patterned areas. Techniques are described for magnetically conditioning the patterned areas. The techniques may be useful for perpendicular patterned media, i.e., media having patterns formed on the media surface and having a magnetic anisotropy that is perpendicular to the plane of the medium. In particular, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has been found to be an important factor that allows effective conditioning of patterned features having relatively small widths.

Abstract: Servo positioning systems, methods, formats, and data recording media used in association with the same, employing additional timing reference information to improve immunity to time-based errors caused by instantaneous speed variations.

Abstract: Magnetic data storage media having recording layers that include microscopic surface protrusions are described. A recording head of a magnetic drive may contact the protrusions, i.e., the protrusion tops may define a load bearing surface area of the recording layers of such media. The heights of the protrusions under the recording head and distribution of the protrusions on the recording layers of such media may be substantially uniform. The load bearing surface area may be relatively small when compared to the total surface areas of the recording layers of such media. Also, the average distance between any two adjacent protrusions on such media may be defined based on the length of bits recorded thereon.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which includes a substrate having a front side and a backside, a longitudinal direction and a cross-web direction, with a particulate/binder or thin film magnetic layer formed over the front side of the substrate, wherein the magnetic medium has a cross-web dimensional difference from the magnetic recording head used therewith of less than 900 ?m/meter over a 35° C. temperature range, and over a 70% relative humidity range. Preferred substrates include thin metals, metal alloys, and thin glass films.

Abstract: Perpendicular magnetic media are described for use in magnetic recording and data storage. For example, a magnetic medium may include a substrate, a layer of titanium formed over the substrate, a layer of platinum formed over the layer of titanium, and a multi-layered magnetic stack formed over the layer of platinum. The layer of titanium provides a seed layer to improve the crystal texture of the layer of platinum. The layer of platinum, in turn, provides a seed layer to improve the crystal texture of the multi-layered magnetic stack. In this manner, high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can be achieved and storage densities can be increased.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which includes a non-magnetic substrate having a front side and a backside, a longitudinal direction and a crossweb direction, with a particulate/binder magnetic layer formed over the front side of the substrate, wherein the magnetic medium has a cross web dimensional difference from the magnetic recording head used therewith of less than 900 microns/meter over a 35 degree temperature range, and over a 70% relative humidity range. In one embodiment, the substrate is a polymeric film which has been subjected to a biaxial tensilization process, thus having a lower coefficient of hygroscopic expansion and coefficient of thermal expansion than an otherwise identical film substrate which has not been biaxially tensilized. The magnetic recording medium formed using such a tensilized substrate has a Wyko Ra smoothness of less than about 10 nm, and a coefficient of thermal expansion from about 5 ppm/C to about 10 ppm/C.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a manufacturing process for optical data storage disks that makes use of a check disk very early in the production cycle. The check disk can be replicated directly from the master without destroying the master. The check disk may then be tested in order to validate the pattern created on the master. In some cases, the check disk may be delivered to customers, allowing the customers to verify the check disk. Once the check disk has been verified, the master can be used to create one or more stampers, which can be used in a mass production process for creating optical data storage disks. However, if the check disk is defective or otherwise not acceptable, the production cycle can be halted prior to creating any stampers. In this manner, the invention can be used to avoid creation of defective stampers or other defective mass production tools.