Abstract: A magnetic random access memory comprises a plurality of memory elements each comprising a magnetic pinned layer; a synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer including a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a first nonmagnetic layer positioned between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the directions of magnetization of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer are antiparallel; and a first conductive nonmagnetic layer positioned between the magnetic pinned layer and the synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer; and means for applying a current to each of the plurality of memory elements to affect the direction of magnetization of the synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer. A method of storing data using the magnetoresistive random access memory is also provided.

Abstract: Magnetic films having magnetic regions and non-magnetic regions are disclosed. The film is subjected to ion irradiation in order to produce chemically disordered regions in the film. The irradiated disordered regions may correspond to the non-magnetic regions of the film. Alternatively, the irradiated disordered regions may correspond to the magnetic regions of the film. In one embodiment, portions of a magnetic CrPt3 film are converted to non-magnetic regions by irradiating the regions with boron ions which disorder the CrPt3 film in the treated regions. The film may be patterned into magnetic regions and non-magnetic regions for applications such as magnetic recording media in computer disc drive systems.

Abstract: A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprises an upper curing unit having a top opening for receiving particulate solids, a lower curing unit coupled to receive particulate solids from the upper curing unit, and at least one of the upper and lower curing units including a first intermediate section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive the particulate solids from the intermediate section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the intermediate section and/or the first hopper. A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprising a first section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive particulate solids from the first section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the first section is also described.

Abstract: A perpendicular exchange biased device comprises a layer of buffer material on a surface of a substrate, a layer of ferromagnetic material on a surface of the buffer layer, wherein the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer lies in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the layer of ferromagnetic material, and a layer of antiferromagnetic material on a surface of the layer of ferromagnetic material. A method of making a perpendicular exchange biased device comprising positioning a layer of buffer material on a surface of a substrate, positioning a layer of ferromagnetic material on a surface of the layer of buffer material, wherein the magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer lies in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the layer of ferromagnetic material, and positioning a layer of antiferromagnetic material on a surface of the layer of ferromagnetic material is also included.

Abstract: Septic systems are treated with alkane-utilizing bacteria. Alkanes such as butane are injected into septic system wastewater in order to enhance growth of alkane-utilizing bacteria which degrade wastes. Aerobic processes may be achieved by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the septic system. Alternatively, anaerobic processes may be used. The alkane and oxygen-containing gas may be injected at any suitable stage of the septic system, such as injection into a septic tank, drainfield and/or grease or oil interceptor tank.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for locking the doors of a cargo container, such as the rear doors of a trailer, is disclosed. The locking assembly may include a second tubular member that telescopes and slides within a first tubular member and an L-shaped assembly mounted on or near the ends of the respective first and second tubular members. The locking apparatus may be placed in a perpendicular fashion between the securing rods of the doors of a cargo container, and the tubular members may be slidably telescoped until the L-shaped assemblies substantially fill the spaces between the cam pins of the securing rods and the walls of the cam pin housings containing the cam pins when the securing rods are in a locked position. In this manner, the cam pins will be prevented from being removed from the cam pin housings, thereby preventing the securing rods from rotating, which in turn keeps the doors of the cargo container securely and tightly locked.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a multilayered main write pole. The main write pole includes a first layer of material, a second layer of material, and an interlayer positioned between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The second layer of material has a saturation magnetic moment greater than a saturation magnetic moment of the first layer of material.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium with antiferromagnetic coupling in a soft magnetic underlayer. The soft magnetic underlayer includes a first magnetic soft layer, a first interface layer on the first magnetic soft layer, a second magnetic soft layer, a second interface layer on the second magnetic soft layer, and a non-magnetic coupling layer between the first interface layer and the second interface layer. The first and second magnetic soft layers are antiferromagnetically exchange coupled to one another through the non-magnetic coupling layer, wherein the first and second interface layers increase the exchange coupling between the first and second magnetic soft layers.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a perpendicular writing pole and a longitudinal field generator which rotates the magnetization of the perpendicular recording media prior to writing, thereby facilitating magnetization switching. The longitudinal magnetic field may be provided by a narrowed gap between the trailing write pole and the leading return pole of the head. The gap structure is designed to provide a fringing magnetic field between the poles which generates the longitudinal magnetic field in perpendicular recording media as the media travels under the perpendicular writing pole.

Abstract: A write pole for a magnetic recording head, such as a perpendicular magnetic recording head, includes a first layer of material adjacent a second layer of material. In one embodiment, the first layer of material has a saturation magnetic moment less than about 1.0 T and the second layer of material has a saturation magnetic moment greater than the saturation magnetic moment of the first layer of material. The first layer of material may include (NiFe)100−yXy, wherein X comprises Cr, Cu and/or Ti and wherein y is in the range of about 2 to about 50.

Abstract: A write head for a disk drive includes a first layer of magnetic material having a fixed magnetization aligned in a first direction, a second layer of magnetic material having a changeable magnetization aligned in a quiescent state in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first non-magnetic layer positioned between the first layer of magnetic material and the second layer of magnetic material, electrodes for connection to a current supply for passing an electric current through the first layer of magnetic material, the first non-magnetic layer, and the second layer of magnetic material for switching the changeable magnetization of the second layer, and an arm for positioning a first edge of the second layer of magnetic material adjacent to a magnetic recording medium, whereby the magnetization of the second layer of magnetic material affects magnetization of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic shield material having a minimized anisotropic magneto-resistance effect permits the use of a combined shield/electrical lead for magneto-resistive read elements. The shields/electrical leads may therefore be placed closer together, maximizing the recording density that may be read by a magnetic recording head using a read element having such shields/leads.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main write pole and multiple return poles. The size of each return pole is controlled in order to provide substantially the same magnetic reluctance through each return pole. The return poles effectively reduce or eliminate the flux antenna effect caused by stray magnetic fields.

Abstract: An optical head utilizes a micro-machined element in combination with a light source and a lens to write and read data onto a storage disk. The micro-machined element may include a steerable micro-machined mirror or a micro-actuator. A beam of laser light transmitted from the light source to the optical head and a reflected light from the storage disk is altered by a movement of the micro-machined element. In this manner a focused optical spot is scanned back and forth in a direction which is approximately parallel to the radial direction of the storage disk.

Abstract: A method for pre-compensating an analog signal in a composite digital audio broadcasting signal including the analog signal and a plurality of digitally modulated sub-carrier signals, the method comprising the steps of sampling the analog signal to obtain successive blocks of samples, demodulating each of the blocks of samples to obtain a plurality of demodulator outputs, remodulating the demodulator outputs that correspond to the predetermined ones of the digitally modulated sub-carrier signals to produce an error signal, subtracting the error signal from the one of the blocks of samples to produce a pre-compensated block of samples, and combining the pre-compensated block of samples with a plurality of OFDM pulses to produce a compensated composite signal. An apparatus for performing the method is also included.

Abstract: An automatic door latch is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the latch includes a dead bolt which is automatically moved from a partially retracted or trigger position to a fully extended locking position when a door in which the lock is mounted is closed. When a key is used to unlock the dead bolt from outside of the door, or a finger turn or key is used to unlock the dead bolt from inside of the door, the dead bolt is automatically reset to the trigger position. In a preferred embodiment, the dead bolt lock includes a multi-position switch mounted in the lock housing which engages a contact member mounted on the dead bolt. Retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to engage the contact member and to secure the dead bolt in the trigger position. Subsequent retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to disengage from the contact member, thereby allowing the dead bolt to extend from the housing to the locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a small spot of optical energy comprises a planar waveguide shaped to direct a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave to a focal point within the waveguide, and a metallic pin positioned at the focal point whereby the linearly polarized electromagnetic wave creates surface plasmons on a surface of the pin. The apparatus can further comprise means for phase shifting a portion of the linearly polarized electromagnetic wave. Recording heads comprising a magnetic write pole, a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide being shaped to direct a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave to a focal point within the waveguide, and a metallic pin positioned at the focal point whereby the linearly polarized electromagnetic wave creates surface plasmons on a surface of the pin, and disc drives that use such recording heads are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a write pole having alternating layers of Fe and Co and a return pole magnetically coupled to the write pole. The layers of Fe may have a thickness from about 1.0 angstroms to about 40.0 angstroms and the layers of Co may have a thickness from about 1.0 angstroms to about 20.0 angstroms. The write pole may have a saturation magnetization greater than about 2.45 Tesla. A method for forming a write pole for a magnetic recording head is also disclosed.