Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) read sensor with a Co—Fe—B lower sense layer and a Co—Hf upper sense layer is disclosed. In order for the dual sense layers to exhibit a negative saturation magnetostriction (?S), their Fe contents are either substantially reduced or even eliminated, instead of adding a conventional Ni—Fe film as an additional sense layer. By optimizing compositions and thicknesses of the dual sense layers, the dual sense layers indeed exhibit a negative ?S, while the TMR sensor exhibits a TMR coefficient (?RT/RJ) of greater than 80% at a junction resistance-area product (RJAJ) of less than 2 ?-?m2.

Abstract: An over-center latch assembly has a base for attaching the over-center latch assembly to a first part of a unit. The first part of the unit is moveable to a second part of the unit. A handle is rotatably coupled to the base by a hinge. A pivot is coupled to the handle such that the pivot traverses about the hinge. The pivot is configured to receive a hasp. A stop surface is coupled to the base whereby rotation of the handle about the hinge is limited by the stop surface. A hinge bearing is coupled to the hinge. The hinge bearing enables an increased quantity of latch/unlatch cycles of the over-center latch assembly before failure of the over-center latch assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a slider and suspension assembly are discussed. The slider and suspension assembly comprises a slider, a suspension, and composite fiber solder. The composite fiber solder is coupled to the suspension and coupled to the slider. The composite fiber solder comprises a fiber, wherein the fiber is configured to increase a fracture resistance of the composite fiber solder compared to a solder without the fiber.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a solder reflow channel in the formation of a hard disk drive is disclosed. The method provides a first hard disk drive component having at least one solder reflow channel, the at least one solder reflow channel for retaining a predeposited solder material. The solder reflow channel is utilized to provide a solder location for coupling the first hard disk drive component and a second hard disk drive component to the predeposited solder material.

Abstract: Methods and devices for optimized ridge near field apertures for thermally assisted magnetic recording are disclosed. The aperture dimensions and supporting dielectric materials are optimized for maximum energy absorption at the magnetic recording layer for a light source having a wavelength of 780 nm, which can be produced by low cost laser diodes.

Abstract: Real time monitoring inconsistent operations in a hard disk drive, wherein the hard disk drive comprises a magnetic disk, a controller and a channel clock. A timing signal from the channel clock is measured in real time in the controller. Time intervals between sector identifier marks of the magnetic disk are detected using the timing signal from the channel clock during reading and writing operations of the hard disk drive in the controller. An inconsistency in the drive operations is detected in the controller based on changes in the time intervals between the sector identifier marks is detected during operation of the hard disk drive. The detection of the inconsistency in the drive operations is responded to.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to securely manage a data cryptographic key in a data storage device. In an embodiment of the present invention, a cryptographic processor for encrypting and decrypting data is located between a host interface and a memory manager. In parts of the hard disk drive (HDD), except for the host interface, the HDD handles user data in an encrypted state. A data cryptographic key which the cryptographic processor uses to encrypt and decrypt the user data is encrypted and stored in a magnetic disk. A multiprocessing unit (MPU) decrypts the data cryptographic key using a password and a random number to supply it to the cryptographic processor. Using the password and the random number, the HDD can manage the data cryptographic key with more security.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an accumulation element with high resolving power and high output suitable for magnetic recording and reproducing at high recording density. According to one embodiment, a plurality of spin injection parts and are provided to increase the total amount of spin electrons. The spin accumulation element is composed of a non-magnetic conductor, a first magnetic conductor, a second magnetic conductor, and a third magnetic conductor, each of which are in contact with the non-magnetic conductor through the tunneling junction. An output voltage due to the spin accumulation effect is detected as a potential difference between the non-magnetic conductor and the third magnetic conductor.

Abstract: A laser, such as a horizontal cavity surface emitting laser, with internal polarization rotation may be used in thermally assisted recording in hard disk drives. The desired polarization of the laser may be accomplished with two beam reflections off of facets within the laser. The facets may be formed in a single ion beam etching step. The laser may be used on a thermally assisted recording head to produce a polarized beam that is aligned with a track direction of the disk.

Abstract: A method for self aligning a lapping guide with a structure of a write pole. A write pole is formed over a substrate and an electrically conductive material lapping guide material is deposited in a location that is removed from the write pole. A mask is then formed over a portion of the write pole and a portion of the electrically conductive material. A material removal process such as reactive ion etching can then be performed to remove a portion of the magnetic material that is not protected by the mask structure. An magnetic material is then electroplated over the write pole with the write pole, with the mask still in place. In this way, the electroplated material has an edge that is self aligned with an edge of the electrically conductive lapping guide material, both being defined by the same mask structure.

Abstract: A stepped main pole for a perpendicular write head and methods of making the stepped main pole. The stepped main pole has a main pole tip and a base portion. The main pole tip has a surface that forms part of the ABS and a first thickness. The base portion extends from the main pole tip and has a thickness that varies from the first thickness to a second thickness to form a slanted surface with an apex angle adjacent the main pole tip. By placing the base portion away from the ABS and providing a thickness that increases in a direction away from the ABS, the stepped pole can provide the necessary magnetic flux for writing, while avoiding undesired leakage and fringing. To form embodiments of the stepped main pole of the invention, a fluorine-based reactive ion etch (RIE) may be used. By using an RIE to define the stepped main pole, the apex angle can be better controlled and tight edge control can be achieved.

Abstract: A “scissoring-type” current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) sensor has magnetically damped free layers. In one embodiment each of the two free layers is in contact with a damping layer that comprises Pt or Pd, or a lanthanoid (an element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Th, Yb, and Lu). Each of the two free layers has one of its surfaces in contact with the sensor's electrically conducting nonmagnetic spacer layer and its other surface in contact with its associated damping layer. A nonmagnetic film may be located between each free layer and its associated damping layer. In another embodiment the damping element is present as a dopant or impurity in each of the two free layers. In another embodiment a nanolayer of the damping element is located within each of the two free layers.

Abstract: Methods for fabrication of tapered magnetic poles with a non-magnetic front bump layer. A magnetic pole may have a tapered surface at or near an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein a thickness of the write pole increases in a direction away from the ABS. A non-magnetic front bump layer may be formed on the tapered surface of the magnetic pole and away from the ABS. The front bump layer may increase the separation distance between a shield layer and the magnetic pole near the tapered surface, thereby improving the performance of the write head.

Abstract: A tool for patterning a disk such as a magnetic media disk for use in a disk drive system. The tool includes a chamber and a first and second series of magnets, each evenly spaced about the chamber wall. An ion beam source at an end of the chamber emits an ion beam toward the disk which is held within the chamber. The first series of magnets deflect the ion beam away from center and toward the chamber wall. The second ion beam source deflects the ion beam back toward the center so that the ion beam can strike the disk at an angle. In addition, to bending the ion beam, the magnets also rotate the bent ion beam so the movement of the ion beam revolves within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of reducing oscillation at the read write element of a hard disk drive, is described. In one embodiment, a flex cable for conducting data signals from a head stack assembly to a connector is provided. One or more weights are then coupled with the flex cable at one or more predetermined locations. The one or more predetermined locations are selected based upon mass distribution along the flex cable.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension (ILS) in a magnetic recording disk drive has the transmission line portion of the ILS between the flex cable and the gimbal formed of multiple interconnected segments, each with its own characteristic impedance. At the interface between any two segments there is a change in the widths of the electrically conductive traces of the transmission line. The change in impedance of a fixed-length segment is a function of the change in its trace width. The number of segments and their characteristic impedance values are selected to produce the largest frequency bandwidth with a substantially flat group delay from the write driver to the write head.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes forming a high Ku first oxide magnetic layer above a substrate by sputtering; forming a low Ku second oxide magnetic layer above the first oxide magnetic layer by sputtering; forming an exchange coupling layer of CoCrPt-oxide above the second oxide magnetic layer; and forming a magnetic cap layer above the exchange coupling layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that has a flat upper shield. A sensor stack is formed with a sensor capping layer at its top and a first CMP stop layer over the sensor capping layer and a mask formed over the CMP stop layer. A hard bias layer and second CMP stop layer are deposited over the sensor stack, capping layer, first CMP stop layer and mask. A chemical mechanical polishing process is then performed to remove the mask, leaving a portion of the hard bias layer exposed between the first and second CMP stop layers. An ion milling is then performed to etch back the exposed portions of the hard magnetic bias layer. A reactive ion etching is then performed to remove the remaining first and second CMP top layers. An upper shield can then be formed on a substantially flat surface.

Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a head slider, a plurality of head elements are formed on a wafer, each head element comprising: a return pole, a coil, and a main pole. The wafer is cut into respective head elements so that individual head sliders are formed. A ratio of an amplitude of an electrical signal applied to the coil of the write head on the head slider to an amplitude of output from an independent magnetic field sensor not embedded in the head slider is calculated, where the independent magnetic field sensor is disposed near the main pole so as to be opposed to the main pole across the air bearing surface, and where the ratio is calculated while a displacement between the main pole and the magnetic field sensor is swept. A flare point height of the main pole is determined from the calculated amplitude ratio.

Abstract: A CPP spin-valve magnetic head, according to one embodiment includes a ferromagnetic free layer having a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in a first direction; a ferromagnetic reference layer film having a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in a second direction that is not orthogonal to the said first direction; and a tunnel barrier layer between the free and reference layers.