Abstract: A planar air bearing slider assembly has an air bearing surface (ABS), a top surface opposite the ABS, and a trailing end. A thin film magnetic transducer is formed on the slider. The transducer has first and second spaced magnetic pole layers that define a magnetic yoke region. A coil structure having first and second ends is disposed between the pole layers for conducting data signals. First and second copper traces are routed from the first and second ends to the trailing end of the planar slider. First and second gold foil bonding pads located on the trailing end of the slider are attached to the copper traces with silver epoxy to provide an external connection to the coil.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a metal layer, formed over a substrate, in which a groove is formed. A magnetoresistive element is formed in the groove, forming two magnetoresistive element portions that are separated by a conductive element. A sense current applied to the metal layer flows through the two magnetoresistive element portions with a predominant current-perpendicular-to-plane component. A method includes techniques that are less complex and less expensive than submicron photolithography to form the above described magnetoresistive device with submicron geometries. A system includes a read/write head that incorporates a magnetoresistive element formed in a groove of a metal layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tip layers separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The pole tips are made of a high magnetic moment material. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned with each other. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned with one another. The side fringing flux from one pole tip to another is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The possibility of the pole tips operating in magnetic saturation is reduced because the pole tips, formed of high magnetic moment material, is capable of accommodating high coercive force. The magnetic head can be fabricated as an inverted head or a non-inverted head capable of writing on magnetic media with high coercivity and at a high data transfer rate.

Abstract: A current-pinned spin valve sensor includes a soft ferromagnetic free layer having a first thickness, a soft ferromagnetic pinned layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness, a copper layer sandwiched between the free and the pinned layer, and a current source coupled to the free layer, pinned layer, and copper layer to provide a biasing current that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to saturate the pinned layer. Preferably, the free layer and pinned layer selected from a group of materials consisting of essentially Permalloy, Cobalt, Iron-Cobalt, and soft Cobalt-based ferromagnetic alloys. Also preferably the free layer has an Mrt of at least 0.3 memu/cm.sup.2 and the pinned layer has a Mrt of at most 0.28 memu/cm.sup.2, and such that the ratio of the Mrt of the free layer to the Mrt of the pinned layer is in the range of 2-10. The biasing current through the sensor is preferably at least 4 mA.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has a sharply defined zero throat location in the pole tip members utilizing a superior magnetic pole tip material having high resistivity and high magnetic induction. The zero throat location is defined by first depositing a first pole tip member on a first magnetic pole member which may be formed by plating and need not be composed of the same superior magnetic material as the first pole tip member. By etching the zero throat edge of the first pole tip member, a clearly defined edge location is produced. The second pole tip member of superior magnetic material is then deposited on an insulating gap layer which is formed on the lower pole tip member.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing magnetic heads that interact with magnetic disks includes a translational slide and a rotatable arm mounted to one end of the slide. The translational slide moves the rotatable arm in a longitudinal direction parallel to the surface of a magnetic disk. The arm rotates the magnetic head to different positions relative to data tracks on the disk. A second translational slide moves the magnetic head vertically above the disk to adjust the vertical position of the head. The three movements of the head, (1)horizontally across the disk, (2)rotationally by the arm, and (3)vertically relative to the disk surface are controlled by servomechanisms. A read/write amplifier circuit is connected to the head under test. The test apparatus is controlled by a computer that interfaces with circuitry connected to the servomechanisms.

Abstract: A thin film read-write magnetic head useful in a tape apparatus includes a magnetic circuit consisting of two thin film magnetic layers which form a magnetic yoke that is divided into three closely spaced sections, the central section of at least one of the magnetic layers containing an interspace in which a flux sensing element, such as a magnetoresistive device or Hall effect device, is located. The three section yoke forms a continuous magnetic circuit, except for the transducing gap, which circuit consists of three sections corresponding to the three sections of the yoke. The total gap width determines the width of the data track being recorded. During the write mode, a magnetic valve including an electrical conductor provides a shunt path to bypass the flux sensing means so that all three sections of the head operate for recording.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head which 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 audio system attachable to furniture located in a kitchen, living room, bed room or office is disclosed. The system includes the digital clock, audio, telephone, interphone, voice recording, indoor broadcasting and air cleaning functions. Accordingly, the user can relieve the tedium of housekeeping labor by listening to the audio system, and make the telephone call and interphone call while at work without moving to the telephone and interphone. The user can directly record the telephone conversation while he or she is on the phone, and record a voice message to be transmitted to the family when he or she goes out. The user can call the family in the house using the indoor broadcasting function. It is possible to rapidly effectively clean the polluted air and the various smell generated in the kitchen.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes aligned pole tips and a coil proximally disposed between a pair of first and second magnetic yoke layers which define a closed magnetic path with a transducing gap. The second magnetic yoke layer includes a flat geometry with a substantially level cross-sectional profile. The second yoke layer with less curvature results in less mutual inductance with the coil. Furthermore, the coil can be closely positioned between the first and second yoke layer, thereby allowing the coil to be more efficient in inducing magnetic flux in the yoke layers during data writing, and allowing the intercepted flux to induce current into the coil during data reading if the magnetic head is used as an inductive head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively disabling a magnetic head to protect the head from damage caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD) during manufacture. The magnetic head is electrically attached to a flexure. The flexure has a set of test pads and a hinged portion that includes a shorting bar. The hinged portion of the flexure is folded to cause the shorting bar to short the test pads. The folded portion is secured with a clip which may be removed and replaced. A novel test clip is used with the flexure. The folded flexure is inserted into jaws of the test clip. The jaws clamp the folded flexure. The shorting bar shorts the sensor when the test clip is in a first position and removes the short when the test clip is moved to a second position.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes pole tips with aligned sidewalls and a low head profile. The aligned sidewalls are formed by depositing a stack of pole tip layers on a substrate. The stack of layers are etched through a common overlying mask. The stack of layers is covered over and around with a protective layer which is then planarized such that the stack of layers is exposed. The protective layer is etched to a predetermined thickness above the substrate, which is thinner than the thickness of the stack of layers. An inductive coil layer is deposited on the etched protective layer and covered with an overlying magnetic yoke layer which is dielectrically separated from the coil layer. The yoke layer thus formed assumes a low profile curvature due to the thin structure of the protective layer on the substrate.

Abstract: In a disk drive, an interconnect adapter for coupling a head of a suspension assembly to front-end read/write circuitry includes a pad set with a plurality of specially designed pads. The pads are formed with an integrated frame and multiple tabs. The tabs enable removal and replacement of the pad set from the suspension assembly to enable suspension assembly rework. The interconnect adapter is designed to adapt to polarity specifications of various head and read/write circuitry designs. The pad set design is configured for connection with a variety of traces, with a piezoelectric microactuator, pre-amplification circuitry, and any of a variety of heads.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a pivot bearing and actuator arm. The actuator arm includes a stepped pivot bearing housing. The pivot bearing housing has a first nominal inside diameter and a relatively smaller second nominal inside diameter to align the pivot bearing within the bearing housing. The pivot bearing has a body and a head. The head press-fits within the first inside diameter and the body press-fits within the second inside diameter to align the bearing assembly in the bearing housing. The body diameter of the bearing assembly is smaller than the bearing housing first nominal diameter to enable the bearing housing to pre-align the bearing assembly with respect to the bearing housing.

Abstract: A planar thin film magnetic head comprises an insulating substrate, a pair of insulating pedestals formed on the substrate, a top magnetic yoke having a central portion disposed over the substrate and having opposite ends supported on each of the pedestals. A conductor is provided over the top yoke central portion, and an insulating layer is disposed between the conductor and the top magnetic yoke. A bottom magnetic yoke is disposed over the conductor and has a gap in a central portion and opposite ends in contact with the top yoke ends.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes an adaptive loading/unloading suspension with an aerodynamic compensation mechanism formed with or attached to the load beam. The compensation mechanism causes a variable and programmable dynamic gram load to be applied on the suspension such that a low gram load is achieved at the time of dynamic head loading, thus significantly minimizing or totally eliminating head-to-disk contact. The variable suspension gram load feature can be combined with an air slider bearing design to achieve optimal flying height performance and cost effectiveness. Such combination provides the air bearing design with an additional degree of freedom to achieve a more uniform flying height and improved altitude sensitivity than under a constant preload.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film merged magnetic head including an inductive write structure and a magnetoresistive sensor uses a patterned protection layer to protect a second shield/bottom pole layer in regions spaced from the pole tip of the inductive write structure. A window is provided in the protection layer. During manufacture, the configuration comprises a first shield layer, a magnetoresistive element, a second shield layer serving as a bottom pole, a protection layer, a protection window, a write gap, a top pole, and a pole tip structure. The use of a protection layer and window results in the formation of channels in the second shield layer adjacent to a pedestal that supports the inductive write structure. The channels prevent magnetic flux from extending toward the second shield layer beyond the width of the pole tip structure. This structure reduces side writing with a consequent improvement in off-track performance.

Abstract: A protective carrier for a magnetic head magnetic head assembly includes a housing having buffering members attached to the housing. When the carrier is engaged with the magnetic head magnetic head assembly, the buffering members are rotated into the spacings between the magnetic heads so as to prevent direct physical contact of the magnetic heads. When the carrier is disengaged from the magnetic head magnetic head assembly, the buffering members are rotated out of the spacings between the magnetic heads. The carrier prevents collision of the magnetic heads during handling and transportation and consequently reduces production loss.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head which includes first and second pole tip layers separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer includes making the pole tips of a high magnetic moment material. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned with each other. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned with one another. The side fringing flux from one pole tip to another is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The possibility of the pole tips operating in magnetic saturation is reduced because the pole tips, formed of high magnetic moment material, is capable of accommodating high coercive force. The magnetic head can be fabricated as an inverted head or a non-inverted head capable of writing on magnetic media with high coercivity and at a high data transfer rate.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) read transducer having an exchange layer adjacent a soft adjacent layer (SAL). The exchange layer generates a transverse bias field which saturates the SAL with little or no sense current.