Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a magnetic medium having a top recording layer of hard magnetic material for perpendicularly storing magnetic data and a bottom underlayer of soft magnetic material, a read head for reading magnetic data from a recorded portion of the recording layer, a stabilizer for magnetically stabilizing a portion of the underlayer directly below the recorded portion simultaneously while the read head is reading magnetic data from the recorded portion and the read head and the stabilizer being separate structures.

Abstract: A specified amount of N2O or N2 is employed in a process gas of a DC magnetron for sputter depositing single or laminated films of NiFeCo—O—N or NiFeCo—N with a high uniaxial anisotropy HK after annealing these films along their hard axes. The films can be used for shield layers and/or pole piece layers in a magnetic head.

Abstract: An assembly includes a suspension, a magnetic head assembly, first and second write wires and first and second read wires wherein the magnetic head assembly includes a write head and a read head with the first and second write wires connected to the write head and the first and second read wires connected to the read head and wherein the first and second insulative sheaths are disposed about the first and second read wires and first and second conductive sheaths are disposed about the first and second insulative sheaths. In another aspect of the invention, third and fourth insulative sheaths are disposed about the first and second write wires and third and fourth conductive sheaths are disposed about the third and fourth insulative sheaths.