Abstract: A cooling system for use in a mass storage chassis assembly is provided. The cooling system in one example includes a frame including one or more fan bays for receiving one or more fan units, one or more fan bay connectors located in the one or more fan bays and configured to couple to and provide electrical power to the one or more fan units, a plurality of retainer devices positioned in each fan bay, with the plurality of retainer devices configured to receive and hold a plurality of projections extending from each fan unit, and the one or more fan units configured to be installed to the one or more fan bays, with each fan unit including a fan connector that couples to the corresponding fan bay connector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for determining electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes building a slider delta comparison map using slider electrical and/or row bar quasi testing results, wherein row bar quasi testing is performed on row bars of multiple sliders, and wherein slider electrical testing is performed on individual sliders, determining whether a test device in a parent job passes primary ESD delta criteria, when the test device fails the primary ESD delta criteria: flagging the parent job of the test device as a reroute job and performing automatic actual parts rerouting for any jobs related to the parent job to pull parts from a test bin as opposed to a supply bin, wherein all parts pulled from the test bin are tested prior to assembly as opposed to parts pulled from the supply bin which are not 100% tested.

Abstract: A method for fabricating magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices on a tight pitch is provided. The method generally includes etching a pattern of columns into a hardmask layer disposed on a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) disposed on a substrate having electrically conductive contacts, the MTJ comprising a tunnel barrier layer between first and second ferromagnetic layers, the pattern of columns aligned to the electrically conductive contacts; etching the first ferromagnetic layer to expose the tunnel barrier layer and to form columns comprising the hardmask layer and the first ferromagnetic layer; forming a passivation layer on the exposed tunnel barrier layer and on top side surfaces of the columns; and etching the passivation layer on the exposed tunnel barrier layer, the exposed tunnel barrier layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer to form columns comprising the hardmask layer, the first ferromagnetic layer, the tunnel barrier layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A near field transducer (NFT) for heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) having a dual waveguide excitation system located adjacent to opposite sides of a plasmonic antenna. The light to one of the waveguides can be passed through a phase shifter so that its electric field is 180 degrees out of phase with that of the other waveguide. In this way, the energy from each of the waveguides can be delivered to the plasmonic antenna in an additive manner while heat-sinking schemes can be implemented in the orthogonal direction for greatly improving the optical efficiency and thermal stability of the NFT.

Abstract: A magnetic recording system configured for recording to a bit patterned media using both hypertrack recording and shingled recording. The magnetic recording system includes a write pole with a notched trailing edge that results in a write bubble with a trailing edge that has two outer convex lobes separated by a centrally disposed concave region. By locating one of the lobes over first and second data tracks of a hypertrack, a proper alignment of the relative phase of the two tracks can be maintained. Further adjustment to the alignment can be achieved by adjusting the radial location of the write head.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic sensor includes a lower scissor free layer, and an upper scissor free layer above the lower scissor free layer in a track direction, where at least one of the scissor free layers has a generally T-shaped periphery. According to another embodiment, a method includes forming a lower scissor free layer, and forming an upper scissor free layer above the lower scissor free layer in a track direction, where at least one of the one of the scissor free layers has a generally T-shaped periphery.

Abstract: A magnetic medium for perpendicular magnetic data recording having improved corrosion characteristics and reduced surface roughness. The magnetic medium includes an under-layer and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer formed over the under-layer. The under-layer can be formed of MgO and has an oxygen concentration that is greater at the perpendicular magnetic recording layer than it is away from the perpendicular magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to non-volatile memory and, in particular, non-volatile memory with adjustable cell bit shapes. In one embodiment, an adjustable memory cell is provided. The memory cell generally includes a gate electrode, at least one recording layer and a channel layer. The channel layer generally is capable of supporting a depletion region and is disposed between the gate electrode and the at least one recording layer. In this embodiment, upon activating the gate, the channel layer may be depleted and current initially flowing through the channel may be steered through the at least one recording layer.

Abstract: A method for making a bit-patterned media (BPM) magnetic recording disk by etching the recording layer using a patterned hard mask layer uses glancing angle deposition (GLAD) of additional hard mask material as a capping layer onto the tops of the patterned hard mask pillars while the disk is rotated about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the disk. In one embodiment the capping layer is deposited after the pillars have been only partially eroded during a partial ion-milling of the recording layer. Ion-milling is then again performed to remove the remaining recording layer material. In another embodiment, before ion-milling of the recording layer, the capping layer is deposited onto the tops of the un-eroded hard mask pillars. This increases the lateral dimension of the hard mask pillars so that after ion-milling of the recording layer, the magnetic islands have an increased lateral dimension.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a lubricant includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rz includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Re and Ri each include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface. According to another embodiment, the aforementioned lubricant may be suitable for use in a sub-nanometer thick lubricant layer for various applications, and particularly useful for magnetic recording media.

Abstract: Managing the flying height of a read-write head slider, such as in the context of a short or head switch seek, involves pre-heating the switched-to head while the active head is still performing a data read or write operation. Thus, both the active head and the switched-to head may be heated simultaneously, and once the switched-to head is switched to an active state upon the active head completing its corresponding operation, the switched-to head can immediately begin its operation with minimal or no further delay.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing firmware versions for a storage device. In one example, a storage device includes a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a first version of a firmware, receive information for a second version of a firmware that is different from the first version, determine, based on the information for the second version of the firmware, whether the version of the second version of the firmware is stored in a system area of the memory, responsive to determining that the second version of the firmware is stored in the system area, load the second version of the firmware, responsive to determining that the second version of the firmware is not stored in the system area, store the second version of the firmware in the system area, update an active firmware index, and execute the second version of the firmware.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit (FPC) may have reduced-tolerance electrical connection pads that comprise a connection portion and an adjacent window portion, where the position of a component that is mechanically and electrically connected to the FPC is limited by the geometry of the connection portion of the respective connection pads. The window portion includes an area void of conductive material and bounded by the connection portion on one side and may be bounded by peripheral portions on the other sides, where the peripheral portions are significantly narrower than the connection portion. A portion of the peripheral portions extending from the connection portion may be tucked under a portion of the FPC cover layer to prevent peeling of the peripheral portions.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a method for forming a HAMR head. The method includes depositing a drop-on-demand mask on a portion of a surface of a slider using a drop-on-demand tool. The surface of the slider includes at least a portion of an NFT. A first protective layer is deposited over a remaining portion of the surface of the slider and over the drop-on-demand mask. The drop-on-demand mask and a portion of the first protective layer disposed on the drop-on-demand mask are removed, exposing at least the portion of the NFT. A second protective layer is deposited on the first protective layer and at least the exposed portion of the NFT. By using the drop-on-demand tool to deposit the drop-on-demand mask, the alignment between the drop-on-demand mask and the portion of the NFT is less stringent, and the drop-on-demand mask can be easily removed using a wiping tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the wear on a hard disk drive. Specifically, determining the overcoat wear of a head and/or disk during operation. In one embodiment, the magnetic head is disposed adjacent to the disk. A slider voltage is applied between a disk having a first overcoat and a head having a second overcoat as the disk is spinning By monitoring in real time a change in both touchdown power and a change in an interfacial current at a head disk interface, an electrochemical oxidation of the first overcoat can be determined. Additionally, by changing the polarity of the slider voltage, an electrochemical oxidation of the second overcoat can be determined. Finally, by measuring a passivation current produced between the head and the disk, the precise location of a touchdown event can be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital rights management system that includes a storage module that stores a usage right for digital content in a tamper-resistant portion of a memory. The system also includes a flag status module that generates a flag corresponding with a transfer status of the usage right, sets the flag to one of a plurality of transfer statuses, and stores the flag in the tamper-resistant portion of the memory. The transfer statuses include a status indicating a request for the usage right was generated by a device with a usage right recovery mechanism.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a system includes at least one magnetic nanoparticle; a heating device for heating the at least one magnetic nanoparticle to induce a paramagnetic thermal instability in the at least one magnetic nanoparticle whereby a magnetization of the magnetic nanoparticle randomly switches between different detectable magnetic states upon heating thereof; and a magnetoresistance reading device for detecting an instantaneous magnetic state of the magnetic nanoparticle.

Abstract: A guiding pattern for directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP) is an array of spaced guiding stripes on a substrate that have a width equal to nL0 and a pitch equal to (n+k)L0, where n and k are integers equal to or greater than 1 and L0 is the natural pitch of the BCP. The guiding stripes have oxidized sidewalls. A silicon-containing BCP self-assembles with the BCP component without silicon wetting the oxidized sidewalls. Then oxygen reactive ion etching (RIE) removes the BCP component without silicon and oxidizes the silicon-containing BCP component. The remaining pattern of silicon oxide containing BCP component can then be used as an etch mask to etch the underlying substrate.

Abstract: A system and method is described that allows random write operations regions utilizing shingled magnetic recording. The method includes receiving a request to re-write a logical block address (LBA) with new data, wherein the LBA is mapped to a physical block address (PBA) on a storage medium. The method further includes determining whether the data is eligible for a write-in place update wherein the data is written to an area of the I-region that has previously been written with shingled data tracks, wherein the eligibility determination is based on a mapping list of LBAs to PBAs. The method also includes writing the new data to the area of the I-region determined to be eligible for a write-in place update, wherein writing the new data further includes writing management information to the I-region that identifies a starting LBA of the write-in place update, and a length of the write-in place update.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for parallel biasing and testing, at dc and high frequency, of two or more read heads within a two dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) slider. Testing of heads comprises both conventional tests of the individual heads within the slider, as well as tests for interactions between the heads which are very closely spaced within the slider and thus may exhibit various magnetic, capacitive, ohmic, and stress-related interactions not seen in non-TDMR heads having only a single read head. Overall testing times are nearly the same as for single head testing.