Abstract: A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk drive uses a “wide-area” heater with “shingled” recording. In shingled recording, the write head pole tip is wider than the read head in the cross-track direction and writes magnetic transitions by making a plurality of consecutive circular paths that partially overlap. The non-overlapped portions of adjacent paths form the data tracks, which are thus narrower than the width of the write pole tip. The data tracks are grouped into annular bands and when data is to be rewritten, all of the data tracks in an annular band are also rewritten. The wide-area heater may be a waveguide with an output end that generates a heated area on the disk recording layer which is wider than the cross-track width of the write pole tip. It has been determined that the use of a wide-area heater with shingled recording does not result in any significant adjacent track erasure (ATE).

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment comprises a slider having a first light channel and a second light channel, the first and second light channels having axes oriented at an angle relative to each other, the angle being less than 180 degrees; and a reflection portion adjacent an exit of the first light channel and an entrance to the second light channel, the reflection portion having an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the first light channel, such that light from the first light channel is reflected into the second light channel. Additional systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A flex cable assembly for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a flex cable for conducting data signals from the head stack assembly to a connector. The flex cable comprises a dynamic loop section between a termination for the head stack assembly and the connector. A constrained layer damper is attached adjacently to an area of the flex cable that is configured to receive the coupler. The constrained layer damper extends into the dynamic loop section of the flex cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a head slider air bearing surface (ABS) in hard disk drives that mitigate fly height deviations. The invention mitigates these problems by providing an ABS of the head slider with elongated asymmetrical features that extend substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow caused by the rotating magnetic disk, in one or both of the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) positions of the head slider with respect to the magnetic disk. The head slider may be produced with a two step etch process, as opposed to a three step etch process. By reducing the number of etching steps, the head slider of the invention can be produced at lower costs and in less time as fewer masks and chamber pump-down steps are required.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vertical-current-type reproducing magnetic head includes a sensor film, an upper shield paired with a lower shield that together flow a current into the sensor film in a thickness direction of the sensor film, and magnetic-domain control magnetic films provided above both sides of the sensor film in a track width direction of the sensor film. The shield is formed via a nonmagnetic adhesion layer including a discontinuous region near the sensor film, and the sensor film contacts the upper shield. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a resist layer, etching a sensor film while using the resist layer as a mask, forming first insulating films, domain-control magnetic films, and nonmagnetic adhesion layers in a stacked manner, lifting-off the resist layer, and forming an upper shield that together with a lower shield flow current into the sensor film in a thickness direction of the sensor film.

Abstract: An optically assisted magnetic recording head causes light to be efficiently incident on a near-field light generating element and is thereby capable of efficiently generating near-field light. The optically assisted magnetic recording head, according to one embodiment, has a waveguide and a thin metal film. The waveguide has a core and a clad at least partially surrounding the core and serves as near-field light generating device. The core has a plate-shaped portion that has a small width and protrudes from an edge of the core. The edge of the core is located on the air bearing surface side. The thin metal film is provided on an upper portion and side portions of the plate-shaped portion to cover the edge of the core at the air bearing surface side. Other systems and methods are disclosed as well to achieve efficient incident light on a near-field light generating element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a write head having write pole with a tapered upper surface to improve the channeling of magnetic flux to a pole tip of the write pole. The method includes depositing a first layer of magnetic material over a substrate. A CMP stop layer, image transfer layer and mask structure are deposited over the first magnetic layer, the mask structure being formed with an edge located a desired distance from an air bearing surface plane. An ion milling operation is performed to remove portions of the magnetic layer that are not protected by the mask structure, the ion milling being performed in a manner to form a tapered surface on the first magnetic layer. Then, a second magnetic layer is deposited over the first magnetic layer to form a tapered magnetic write pole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that minimizes topography resulting from stripe height defining masking and patterning in order to facilitate definition of track width. The method includes depositing a series of mask layers and then masking and ion milling the series of sensor layers to define a back edge of a sensor. A non-magnetic fill layer is then deposited, the magnetic fill layer being constructed of a material that has an ion mill rate that is similar to that of the series of sensor layers. A second masking and milling process is then performed to define the track width of the sensor and hard bias is deposited. Because the non-magnetic fill layer is removed at substantially the same rate as the sensor material the structure has a very flat topography on which to form the sensor track width.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive electrostatic discharge (ESD) event detector includes at least one magnetoresistive device. The at least one magnetoresistive device detects an ESD event in an ESD sensitive device based on magnetoresistive properties of the at least one magnetoresistive device. The magnetoresistive device has an ESD failure level that is lower than the ESD failure level of said ESD sensitive device.

Abstract: An apparatus for removal of a disk in a disk stack. The apparatus includes a shaft. The shaft has an end portion insertable into a disk remover tool. The shaft has a positioning portion at an end of the shaft opposite the insertable end portion. The positioning portion includes a surface de-tensionizer. The surface de-tensionizer provides disengagement of surface tension between the disk and a disk spacer during a disk removal process performed thereon.

Abstract: One purpose of the invention according to one embodiment is to provide a magnetic recording apparatus of high recording density in which magnetization transition curvature amount of a recording pattern is small. In one embodiment, the center of a heating area is arranged at a track edge side of a recording pattern as compared with the width-direction center position of a main magnetic pole of a recording head, and a recording magnetic field is applied while a medium is locally heated at the time of signal recording. A switching magnetic field of the medium is locally reduced by heating, so that a line where the switching magnetic field of the medium is equal to the recording magnetic field from the head approaches the heating center position, and a desired recording pattern in which the transition curvature amount is reduced can be realized. Other systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide patterned media in which the center and the direction of the disk can be detected. According to one embodiment, patterned media has a bit pattern including convex portions of a magnetic material on one surface or both surfaces of a nonmagnetic substrate having a central hole. A diffraction grating pattern is formed as an alignment pattern in the inner circumference (or outer circumference) of the patterned media. The diffraction grating pattern is a pattern having a repetitive configuration, and includes a pattern with a repetitive pitch different from that in other portions, or a portion having no pattern, at least one region on a circumference. The diffraction grating pattern is irradiated with detection light and diffracted light is detected, thereby a center and a direction of the disk can be detected.

Abstract: A heating element for use in a thermal fly height control magnetic recording head of a magnetic data recording system. The heating element has a centrally disposed portion with a straight front edge that is recessed by a substantially constant distance, and has first and second side portions that taper away from the air bearing surface. The side portions preferably taper away from the air bearing surface by an angle of 20 to 45 degrees. The center portion of the front edge is spaced from the air bearing surface by a distance D and has a width W, such that W is 1.5 to 2.5 (or about 2) times D. D is typically 2-6 um to have good heater efficiency while being large enough to not over heat the heater. The heating element has an overall width WW and a overall depth HH from the air bearing surface such that WW is 1.5-2.5 (or about 2) times HH.

Abstract: A spin torque oscillation magnetoresistive sensor for measuring a magnetic field. The sensor uses a change in precessional oscillation frequency of a magnetization of a magnetic layer to determine the magnitude of a magnetic field. The sensor can include a magnetic free layer, a magnetic pinned layer and a non-magnetic layer sandwiched therebetween. Circuitry is connected with these layers to induce an electrical current through the layers. Spin polarization of electrons traveling through the device causes a spin torque induced precession of the magnetization of one or more of the layers. The frequency of this oscillation modulates in response to a magnetic field. The modulation of the oscillation frequency can be measured to detect the presence of the magnetic field, and determine its magnitude.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a write pole having an end region positioned towards an air bearing surface, a first flare point, and a second flare point positioned between the air bearing surface and the first flare point; and a shield positioned above the write pole, wherein a cross sectional area of the write pole at a point between the first and second flare points along a plane passing through the write pole and oriented about parallel to the air bearing surface is greater than a cross sectional area of the end region of the write pole along a plane oriented parallel to the plane passing through the second flare point. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A disk drive including a sensor element that senses contact between a head slider and a disk, a head integrated circuit (IC) comprising an amplification circuit section that amplifies a signal of the head slider, a controller IC comprising a controller that accesses a register of the head IC for controlling the head IC, and an identification section, within the head IC, that determines a contact frequency of the contact by the sensor element by using a timing control signal of the controller IC.

Abstract: The invention is a method for making a master mold to be used for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks. The method uses conventional optical or e-beam lithography to form a pattern of generally radial stripes on a substrate, with the stripes being grouped into annular zones or bands. A block copolymer material is deposited on the pattern, resulting in guided self-assembly of the block copolymer into its components to multiply the generally radial stripes into generally radial lines of alternating block copolymer components. The radial lines of one of the components are removed and the radial lines of the remaining component are used as an etch mask to etch the substrate. Conventional lithography is used to form concentric rings over the generally radial lines. After etching and resist removal, the master mold has pillars arranged in circular rings, with the rings grouped into annular bands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent recording and reproducing performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method forms a nonmagnetic layer mainly composed of the same element as a nonmagnetic element contained in magnetic recording layers and on the magnetic recording layers and a mask layer having apertures for forming more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layers on the nonmagnetic layer. The method implants ions of the nonmagnetic element through the nonmagnetic layer masked by the mask layer to form the more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: An electrical circuit structure employing graphene as a charge carrier transport layer. The structure includes a plurality of graphene layers. Electrical contact is made with one of the layer of the plurality of graphene layers, so that charge carriers travel only through that one layer. By constructing the active graphene layer within or on a plurality of graphene layers, the active graphene layer maintains the necessary planarity and crystalline integrity to ensure that the high charge carrier mobility properties of the active graphene layer remain intact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for writing data to be played back onto a tape is provided. Included is an acquisition unit for acquiring data to be written onto the tape, a writing unit for writing the data to the tape, and a determination unit for determining a data amount of a leading part of the data to be stored in a place separate from a place where the data is stored so that a part following the leading part is made ready to be played back before playback of the leading part ends, to reduce the time taken to read the data from the tape. Also included is an extraction unit for extracting the data and a storage unit for storing the leading part of the data.