Abstract: Techniques for caching results of a read request to a solid state device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for caching solid state device read request results comprising receiving, at a solid state device, a data request from a host device communicatively coupled to the solid state device, and retrieving, using a controller of the solid state device, a compressed data chunk from the solid state device in response to the data request. The techniques may further include decompressing the compressed data chunk, returning, to the host device, a block of the data chunk responsive to the data request, and caching one or more additional blocks of the data chunk in a data buffer for subsequent read requests.

Abstract: Techniques for peer-to-peer Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) storage transfers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing peer-to-peer storage transfers between PCIe devices including providing, in memory of a first PCIe device, a queue for data communicated between the first PCIe device and a target PCIe device, receiving, at the first PCIe device, queue memory allocation information transmitted from a host device communicatively coupled to the first PCIe device and the target PCIe device, and generating, using a computer processor of the first PCIe device, a storage command.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for distributed file systems (DFS) are provided herein. In one example, the DFS is operable to respond to a write operation for the DFS by transferring a write command to a selected storage system for broadcast of the write command to a plurality of storage devices associated with a network switch fabric of the selected storage system. Further operations of the DFS can include, responsive to a read operation for the DFS, transferring a read command to a selected storage system for broadcast of the read command to a plurality of storage devices associated with a network switch fabric of the selected storage system.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a read head sensor in a magnetic recording head. The read head sensor comprises a dual capping layer in a sensor stack that may reduce magnetic coupling so as to enhance magnetic bias field, e.g., domain control, in the read head sensor. Furthermore, an upper shield with multiple film stack having different film properties may also be utilized to enhance bias field generated to the read head sensor. Additionally, a coil structure may be positioned adjacent to a side shield to enhance bias field generation in the read head sensor.

Abstract: Approaches for a magnetic write head having a stacked coil architecture. Embodiments utilize the better process control capability available with thin films' thicknesses, compared to the control capability of vertical gap-filling processes, which provides for better scalability to shorter yoke length magnetic write heads, which are faster at writing data bits than are magnetic write heads having a longer yoke length.

Abstract: Methods to pattern substrates with dense periodic nanostructures that combine top-down lithographic tools and self-assembling block copolymer materials are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods involve chemically patterning a substrate, depositing a block copolymer film on the chemically patterned imaging layer, and allowing the block copolymer to self-assemble in the presence of the chemically patterned substrate, thereby producing a pattern in the block copolymer film that is improved over the substrate pattern in terms feature size, shape, and uniformity, as well as regular spacing between arrays of features and between the features within each array compared to the substrate pattern. In certain embodiments, the density and total number of pattern features in the block copolymer film is also increased. High density and quality nanoimprint templates and other nanopatterned structures are also provided.

Abstract: A bit-patterned media (BPM) magnetic recording disk has a cobalt (Co) alloy recording layer (RL), a ruthenium (Ru) containing underlayer (UL), and a noble metal film (NMF) as an interlayer between the RL and the UL. The RL is preferably oxide-free and is a Co alloy, like a CoPtCr alloy, with a hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure with its c-axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the RL. The NMF is an element from the Pt group (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir) and Au, or an alloy of two or more of these elements, and has a thickness less than 3.0 nm, preferably between 0.3 and 1.0 nm. The NMF does not interrupt the epitaxial growth of the RL and has little to no effect on the distribution of the RL c-axis orientation. The NMF increases the coercivity (Hc) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant (Ku) of the RL.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a near field transducer having a conductive metal film and an aperture, and a magnetic lip adjacent the aperture. A back edge of the magnetic lip is positioned farther from a media facing surface than an upper portion of a back edge of the conductive metal film. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A load/unload ramp configured for a multiple disk-stack, shared actuator hard disk drive (HDD) includes two ramp parts configured to swivel-engage together. Each of the two ramp parts may have a sleeve configured for positioning over a swivel pin and a locking pin configured for positioning and movement within a corresponding receptacle constituent to an HDD base. Thus, each ramp part can be positioned to a respective initial locking position onto the base, a first disk stack installed, a first ramp part swiveled to a final locking position engaged with the first disk stack, and fixed to the base. Then an actuator assembly can be inserted and the corresponding actuator arms parked onto the first ramp part, a second disk stack installed, then the second ramp part swiveled to its final locking position engaged with the second disk stack, and fixed to the base.

Abstract: Approaches to a suspension for a hard disk drive (HDD) include a non-hemispherical dimple for movably coupling a flexure with a load beam, where the length of the non-hemispherical dimple exceeds the width. Therefore, in the context of a microactuator system, piezo actuating devices may be installed closer together to improve the microactuator stroke performance in moving the slider over the disk surface.

Abstract: A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR device for use in a magnetic reading system. The HAMR device has a primary waveguide extending from a media facing surface to a surface opposite the media facing surface. In one embodiment, the HAMR head has a secondary waveguide having a first and second end positioned within the HAMR head. The secondary waveguide is positioned near the primary waveguide, and the first and second ends of the secondary waveguide are non-reflecting. A thermal sensor is coupled to the secondary waveguide, and responds only to optical power fluctuations in the primary waveguide. In another embodiment, the HAMR head has a second thermal sensor rather than a secondary waveguide. The first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor are coupled together to act as one optical power sensor and are disposed on the primary waveguide.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk including a magnetizable layer of material, and a transducer. The transducer has a read element that includes a first shield layer, a pinned layer, a metallic spacer, an AP (anti-parallel) free layer, and a second shield layer. The pinned layer has a surface area which is greater than the area of the AP free layer. The read element also includes an anti-ferromagnetic layer for substantially fixing the magnetic orientation of a plurality of domains in the pinned layer. The ferromagnetic layer is adjacent the pinned layer. The pinned layer, and the anti-ferromagnetic layer both have surface areas which are greater than the area associated with the AP free layer. The anti-ferromagnetic layer, in one embodiment, has a pinning strength in the range of 0.5 erg/cm2 to 1.5 erg/cm2.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator utilizes an eddy current magnet configured for positioning proximal to the outer perimeter side face of one or more recording disk, and which cooperates with the conductive side face to generate an eddy current force to rotate a latch lever to an unlatched position. Embodiments may include an end cam on a base on which the latch lever is rotatably disposed, and the latch lever includes a cam follower capable of rotatably engaging with the end cam, whereby the magnetic attraction between the eddy current magnet and the voice coil actuator yoke generates a latch bias force which causes the end cam and cam follower to engage or mesh in order to hold the latch lever in a latched position.

Abstract: Approaches to improving actuator settle time by damping vibrations resulting from coil modes, such as with a voice coil actuator in a hard disk drive, include a single-piece damper plate coupled to the voice coil actuator yoke. The damper plate may be a single U-shaped piece of metal that covers the area of the yoke that experiences the maximum strain energy during operation, between the voice coil and the pivot bearing housing.

Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) read head has a read gap with a reduced thickness. A multilayer seed layer includes a first ferromagnetic seed layer on the lower shield, a ferromagnetic NiFe alloy on the first seed layer, and a third seed layer of Ru or Pt on the NiFe seed layer. The first and NiFe seed layers are magnetically part of the lower shield, thereby effectively reducing the read gap thickness. A free layer/capping layer structure includes a multilayer ferromagnetic free layer and a Hf capping layer on the free layer. The free layer includes a B-containing upper layer in contact with the Hf capping layer prior to annealing. When the sensor is annealed Hf diffuses into the B-containing upper layer, forming an interface layer. The Hf-containing interface layer possesses negative magnetostriction, so the free layer is not required to contain NiFe.

Abstract: A data storage architecture is composed of an array of a flash memory solid state disk and a hard disk drive or any nonvolatile random access storage that are intelligently coupled by an intelligent processing unit such as a multi-core graphic processing unit. The solid state disk stores seldom-changed and mostly read reference data blocks while the hard disk drive stores compressed deltas between currently accessed I/O blocks and their corresponding reference blocks in the solid state disk so that random writes are not performed on the solid state disk during online I/O operations. The solid state disk and hard disk drive are controlled by the intelligent processing unit, which carries out high speed computations including similarity detection and delta compression/decompression.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for forming a magnetic read head with pinned layers extending to the ABS of the read head and magnetically coupled with an antiferromagnetic layer that is recessed in relation to the ABS of the read head. Portions of the antiferromagnetic layer and a magnetic layer that are extending to the ABS are removed, exposing a shield. A shielding material is formed on the exposed shield and a seed layer is formed on the shield and on or over a portion of the remaining antiferromagnetic layer. A pinned layer structure is formed on the seed layer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) device has a thin MgO tunneling barrier layer and a free ferromagnetic multilayer. The free ferromagnetic multilayer includes a CoFeB first ferromagnetic layer, a face-centered-cubic (fcc) NiFe compensation layer with negative magnetostriction, and a body-centered-cubic (bcc) NiFe insertion layer between the CoFeB layer and the fcc NiFe compensation layer. An optional ferromagnetic nanolayer may be located between the MgO barrier layer and the CoFeB layer. An optional amorphous separation layer may be located between the CoFeB layer and the bcc NiFe insertion layer. The bcc NiFe insertion layer (and the optional amorphous separation layer if it is used) prevents the fcc NiFe layer from adversely affecting the crystalline formation of the MgO and CoFeB layers during annealing. The bcc NiFe insertion layer also increases the TMR and lowers the Gilbert damping constant of the free ferromagnetic multilayer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a soft underlayer structure includes a coupling layer, at least one outer soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer, and at least one inner soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer between the coupling layer and the associated outer soft underlayer, where the inner soft underlayers have a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness that is different than a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness of the outer soft underlayers.