Abstract: A data processing system (10) has a system debug module (19) coupled to a processor (12) for performing system debug functions. Located within the system, and preferably within the processor, is debug circuitry (32) that selectively provides debug information related to the processor. The circuitry identifies which of a plurality of registers (26) is sourcing the debug information. A user-determinable enable and disable mechanism that is correlated to some or all of the registers sourcing the debug information specifies whether to enable or disable the providing of the debug information. In one form a single bit functions as the mechanism for each correlated register. Debug operations including breakpoints, tracing, watchpoints, halting, event counting and others are qualified to enhance system debug. The registers may be included in a programmer's model and can be compliant with one or more industry debug related standards.

Abstract: A slider supports or stores a device such as an electro-magnetic coil assembly, an electronic component, or an optical component, and includes an underside formed of a taper, a flat or patterned air bearing surface, and a recessed region. The recessed region receives the device without significantly affecting the aerodynamic performance of the air bearing surface, and is located at the slider trailing edge. The weight of the device can be compensated by the suspension gram load. In certain applications the device underside is recessed relative to the air bearing surface, while in other application the device underside is flush with the air bearing surface. The device includes an electrical conductor that extends along the recessed region. According to another embodiment, the slider includes a vertical channel located in a front side of the slider that extends along the entire slider depth. The vertical channel accommodates the electrical conductor of the device.

Abstract: The method of making and self-aligning a magneto-optical head at a wafer level is as follows: A flat optical substrate is molded or heat pressed in batches as a wafer level to form the desired lens shapes. Coil cavities or depressions are simultaneously formed with the lens to accommodate the coil assembly. Conductive plugs are formed in proximity to the cutting lines, for wire bonding attachment to the coil. The plugs are filled with a conductive material such as copper. The plugs do not extend through the entire depth of the optical wafer, thus further facilitating the mass production of the integrated heads. The slider body wafer is formed from silicon or other appropriate material. The slider body wafer and the lens/coil wafer are bonded. Coils and pedestals are formed on the lens / coil plate using thin-film processing techniques. Reflective surfaces are deposited on the bottom surface of the substrate, opposite the lens. The mirror material around the pedestal areas and plugs is masked and removed.

Abstract: A method of making and self-aligning a disk data storage read/write head that uses a catadioptric focusing device (or lens) having a high numerical aperture (NA), which does not introduce significant spot aberration on a storage medium. The manufacturing process of the head is carried out at a wafer level, and is facilitated significantly by the flatness of the focusing device. An exemplary manufacturing process is implemented as follows: A lens coil/plate is formed by molding a flat optical substrate to form the desired lens shapes. Coil cavities or depressions are formed simultaneously with the lens to accommodate a coil. Conductive plugs are formed in proximity to cutting lines for wire bonding attachment to the coil. A slider wafer is formed and bonded to the lens/coil wafer. Coils and pedestals are also formed on the lens/coil plate using thin-film processing techniques, and reflective surfaces are deposited on the bottom surface of the substrate, opposite the lens.

Abstract: An optical or magneto-optical (MO) head comprises a head formed of two main parts: a housing and a body. The housing supports optical and magnetic components to be secured to the slider, and the body provides an air bearing surface and further supports the housing. The housing includes a pattern of channels and grooves that retain the optical and magnetic components, and that can be produced with extreme accuracy, so that the cumulative tolerance of the head varies within a very tight range. The components are interlocked within, or secured to the slider in a self-aligned disposition, and do not become detached, even under extremely harsh operating conditions. In addition, the self-alignment feature significantly reduces, if not entirely eliminates the need to align certain components after they have been mounted onto the slider. The slider design enables the head to be mass produced and assembled.

Abstract: A composite slider, for use in an optical or magneto-optical head that includes an optical assembly, comprises a mounting block that supports optical components, and a body that provides an air bearing surface and that further supports optical components. The slider body and mounting block include channel patterns that define an optical path. The slider mounting block includes an adhesive release channel disposed transversely relative to the optical path. The slider body includes a vertical channel and a lateral channel within which the optical components are disposed.

Abstract: A read/write head for use in data storage drives includes a thermally assisted inductive write section and a magnetic read section to write data onto, and retrieve data from a storage medium. The write section includes a waveguide formed of a core and a surrounding cladding, and positioned between a first write pole and a second write pole, to conduct a laser beam for heating the medium. The second write pole and the optical waveguide core are offset relative to each other at the pole tip, such that they define an overlap region that determines a written track width. The offsetting facilitates manufacturing process since the optical waveguide core and the second write pole can be made wide enough while still defining tracks with a limited width.

Abstract: A magneto-optical head using a catadioptric focusing device comprised of an incident surface, a bottom reflective surface, a pedestal, and a body. The incident surface is generally flat and is comprised of a central diffractive, optically transmissive facet and a peripheral facet comprised of a diffractive-reflective surface or facet. In a data writing or reading mode, an incident optical beam, such as a laser beam impinges upon the central facet, and is diffracted thereby. The incident laser beam can be collimated, convergent or divergent. The laser beam passes through the transparent body, and impinges upon the bottom reflective surface. The laser beam is then reflected by the bottom reflective surface, through the body, unto the peripheral diffractive-reflective surface.

Abstract: A read/write head is structurally significantly less complicated than optical reading devices, requires minimal or no optical alignment, capable of writing at higher track densities, and has better control of the data and servo tracks than conventional magnetic heads. The head is also capable of using an available heat source and a relatively weak magnetic field, such as 300 Oersteds, to write data on a data storage medium. The combination of a magnetic read sensor with a near field magneto-optical (MO) write element creates a hybrid read/write head capable of high density recording with a high signal to noise ratio. The integration of the MO write element can be accomplished by various alternative or complementary methods. One method is to mount a heat source, such as a laser or light source on a slider with minimal or no additional optical components.

Abstract: A coil assembly for use in an optical or a magneto-optical data storage system includes an undercoat and an electrically conductive coil formed of a length of electrical conductor and deposited and secured to the undercoat by means of available wafer processing techniques. The conductive coil terminates in two bonding pads for providing electrical connection to the coil, such that the coil is capable of sustaining an electrical current in excess of approximately 300 mA. The coil is also capable of generating a vertical magnetic field intensity greater than, or equal to approximately 200 Oersteds, and has a resistance of less than, or equal to approximately 2 ohms. The coil assembly further includes a yoke, and an insulation layer which encapsulates at least part of the conductor. The conductor is formed of a plurality of multi-layered turns, such that a first layer is connected to one contact pad and is looped helically, inwardly, and terminates in an innermost turn with a terminal end.

Abstract: An interposer for assembly between an integrated circuit and a circuit panel includes an upper insulation layer and a plurality of upper contact pads arranged in a desired pattern in the upper insulation layer. A plurality of micro-devices are formed between the upper insulation layer and a bottom insulation layer having a plurality of lower contact pads arranged in a desired pattern. The upper and the lower contact pads are selectively and electrically interconnected via the micro-devices. The upper and the lower contact pads are overlaid with solder balls to provide the required electrical connection and mechanical coupling between the interposer, the integrated circuit, and the circuit panel.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium transmissive to a laser beam and formed of a light transmissive substrate that provides mechanical support, and a light transmissive data substrate formed on the substrate. The data substrate is patterned to form block regions that block the laser beam from passing through, and pass regions that allow the laser beam to pass through, such that the blockage or passage of light through the optical storage medium reflects the type of data bits to be stored on the optical medium. In another embodiment a magneto-optical data storage medium which is also transmissive (or partly transmissive) to a laser beam includes a data magneto-optical data substrate formed on a substrate. The data substrate is recordable by patterning a magnetic domain with magnetic fields of opposite directions, such that each magnetic direction reflects the type of data bits to be stored on the optical medium.

Abstract: A method of forming and handling an array of micro-devices such as thin film devices that enables simultaneous mass handling and processing of these thin film devices. A plurality of micro-devices and links are simultaneously formed on a wafer, with the links interconnecting the micro-devices for maintaining a unitary array structure. A matrix of magnetic strips is then formed to impart added overall tensile strength to the array. The magnetic strips are secured to the links and form a planar support grid therewith. The array of micro-devices is then released from the wafer and lifted therefrom by means of a magnetic pick-up tool. Using the pick-up tool, the array is transferred onto a magnetic chuck which securely retains the array. Conductive wires are bonded to a row of micro-devices devices which are then separated from the array into individual micro-devices.

Abstract: An optical data storage system utilize a fully or partially transmissive data storage medium or disk. The optical system includes a platform capable of moving either radially or pivotally relative to the disk. A head has a first and a second optical arms secured to the platform. One optical arm is positioned below the storage medium, and the other optical arm is positioned above the storage medium. One of the two optical arms includes a light source connected to the platform for generating a collimated light beam, and a first reflective mirror distally connected to the platform for reflecting the collimated light beam toward the storage medium. The other optical arm includes a photo-detector connected to the platform, and a second reflective mirror distally connected to the platform for reflecting the light beam impinging upon it to the photo-detector. In one embodiment the light source is disposed below the disk while in another embodiment the light source is disposed above the disk.

Abstract: A low noise inductive magnetic head used for writing and reading magnetic signals onto and from a magnetic recording medium includes two magnetic poles P1, P2 that are formed on a substrate which define a transducing gap therebetween. Each of the poles P1, P2 includes an outer magnetic layer formed remotely from the gap and an inner magnetic layer formed adjacent to the gap. The inner and outer magnetic layers have magnetostrictions (.lambda..sub.s) of approximately equal but opposite values, such that each of the magnetic poles P1, P2 exhibits a net magnetostriction of zero or is biased within a predefined range, regardless of the individual magnetostriction values of its layers.

Abstract: A planar micro-coil is provided for use with an optical head. The optical head is preferably a flying magneto-optical head. The micro-coil cooperates with a yoke assembly so to as to permit an optimal magnetic flux density to be formed at a surface of a magneto-optical storage location.

Abstract: An optical data storage system includes an optical data storage system for use with a data storage medium. The system includes a stationary optical head for steering an incident laser beam holographically and/or by means of an acousto-optical method across the data storage medium. The incident laser beam is selectively reflected by the data storage medium to indicate the type of data bits recorded on the storage medium. In a preferred embodiment the optical head includes a laser source for irradiating a collimated laser beam, a beam steering element for steering the laser beam; a beam splitter for deflecting the reflected laser beam; and a photo-detector for detecting the relative intensity of the deflected laser beam for determining the type of recorded data bits. The data storage system may be optically transmissive or partly transmissive.

Abstract: A thin-film coil for use in a flying magneto-optical data storage system is formed on an undercoat layer, and includes an underside and a conductor deposited on the undercoat layer. The conductor is covered by an insulation layer on which a yoke is formed for providing a path to a magnetic field generated by the conductor. The yoke is formed of three sections: an upper section, an intermediate section, and the tip. The yoke tip defines an optical opening and has its underside substantially flush with the underside of the undercoat layer for increasing the density of the magnetic field at a target distance from the coil. The yoke tip underside is defined by an inner edge that delineates the optical opening, and that is formed of two semi-circular sections and two linear sections tangential to the semi-circular sections. The yoke can optionally include an outer section that extends over the peripheral side of the insulation layer and that further extends in an enlarged toe section.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly includes a load beam which enables a close disk-to-disk spacing in a disk drive, high production yield, and increased torsional stiffness and resistance to vibrational modes. The load beam has a low profile, high resonance configuration, which minimizes the overall size of the magnetic head suspension assembly, and which improves manufacturability and robustness of magnetic head suspension assemblies by increasing the load beam resonance frequency and reducing the oscillation gain. The load beam is formed with a forward section that extends rearwardly into a central major section, a flexure secured to the forward section, and an air bearing slider secured to the flexure for free gimbaling motion while flying above an associated disk during operation in a disk drive. The forward section of the load beam covers substantially the entire surface of said flexure to provide it with sufficient rigidity and support.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly for transducing data from and onto a surface of a rotating magnetic disk includes a load beam for supplying a directed force to a slider, so as to maintain the slider at a desired height above the disk surface. A flexure is secured to the load beam, and is formed of a flexible dielectric layer on which a pattern of conductive traces are formed. These conductive traces are patterned for providing sufficient flexibility in various degrees of movement and stiffness to resist physical deformation, for imparting optimal mechanical and structural support to the slider and to the load beam, and for electrically connecting the slider to read/write electronic circuitry. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric layer is made of a polymeric resinous material, such as polyimide, and the conductive traces are made of copper.