Abstract: A magnetic stack includes a interlayer structure and a magnetic recording layer disposed over the interlayer in the magnetic stack. The magnetic recording layer includes substantially ordered L10, <001> oriented crystalline magnetic grains laterally separated by a nonmagnetic, segregant material. The interlayer structure comprises a first layer having cubic crystal structure including <100> oriented crystalline grains and a second layer having crystalline grains laterally separated by a segregant material. The crystalline grains of the second layer are arranged in substantially vertically contiguous alignment with the crystalline grains of the first layer and the segregant material of the magnetic recording layer is arranged in substantially vertically contiguous alignment with the segregant material of the second layer.

Abstract: A logical block address space of a storage compute device is reserved for use in executing commands from a host. First data is received at a first portion of the logical block address space, the first data causing a computation to be performed by the storage compute device. Second data is sent to the host via a second portion of the logical block address space, the second data describing a result of the computation.

Abstract: A perpendicular type of magnetic recording medium has a multi-layered recording structure made up of a plurality of ferro-magnetic layers and a non-magnetic layer interposed between the plurality of ferro-magnetic layers, and the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy of the lower ferro-magnetic layer is greater than the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy of the upper ferro-magnetic layer. Accordingly, the lower ferro-magnetic layer may be easily magnetically reversed by a magnetic field applied during a write operation. Thus, the perpendicular type of magnetic recording medium exhibits an enhanced thermal stability and write-ability.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for identifying randomly ordered write commands by a storage device enabled to communicate with a drive compatible with a storage protocol enabling command execution in random order. The storage device may determined a particular order of the identified write commands. The write commands in the determined particular order may be arranged by the storage device. The storage device may send the ordered write commands to the drive. The ordered write commands may allow for pre-fetching of data associated with the write commands by the drive.

Abstract: First and second servo control processors are coupled to respective first and second actuators that independently position first and second heads over one or more disks of a data storage drive. The first and second servo control processors are further coupled to first and second low-latency ports. First and second unidirectional buses couple the first and second low-latency ports. The first and second unidirectional busses are operable to isochronously exchange servo positioning data between the first and second servo control processors. The first and second servo control processors each use the servo positioning data to compensate for movement caused by another of the first and second servo control processors.

Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT); an amorphous gas barrier layer positioned on at least a portion of the NFT; and a wear resistance layer positioned on at least a portion of the gas barrier layer.

Abstract: A recording head has a primary waveguide core with an input end at an input surface of the recording head and extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. A secondary waveguide core is separated from the primary waveguide core by a gap such that light is evanescently coupled from the primary waveguide core to the secondary waveguide core. The secondary waveguide core has first and second bends such that an output end of the secondary waveguide core is parallel to and separated from the primary waveguide core in a cross-track direction. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization of light in the secondary waveguide core such that polarization-rotated light exits the secondary waveguide core at the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A method including depositing a plasmonic material at a temperature of at least 150° C.; and forming at least a peg of a near field transducer (NFT) from the deposited plasmonic material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for head delay calibration and tracking multi-sensor magnetic recording (MSMR) systems. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a first reader and a second reader configured to simultaneously read from a single track of a data storage medium, the first reader offset from the second reader such that the first reader and the second reader detect a same signal pattern offset in time. The apparatus may further comprise a circuit configured to determine a relative offset between the first reader and the second reader, including setting a fixed delay for a first signal from the first reader, setting a second delay for a second signal from the second reader, and adjusting the second delay to align the second signal to the first signal using a timing loop, with the first signal used as a reference signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of making a lapping plate by coating a platen with solid resin powder, abrasive particles, and an aqueous carrier followed by evaporating the aqueous carrier and curing the solid resin powder to form an abrasive coating. The present disclosure also involves related lapping plates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating an in-situ test method for a head gimbal assembly (HGA). The method includes individually exciting a pair of opposing-effect microactuators supporting the read/write head adjacent a data storage media; summing the outputs from the microactuators to derive a spectral frequency response of the HGA; determining a resonant frequency from the spectral frequency response; driving the microactuators at the resonant frequency; and varying the read/write fly height apart from the data storage media to correlate contact with a maximum response of the microactuators.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for multi-tier detection and decoding in flash memory devices. Data from a flash memory device is processed by obtaining one or more quantized estimates of a voltage stored on at least one bit of a cell of the flash memory device from the flash memory device; converting the one or more quantized estimates for the at least one bit to a reliability value; and decoding the at least one bit using the reliability value to obtain a value written for the at least one bit.

Abstract: A read sensor having a bearing surface and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer recessed from the bearing surface. The read sensor includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure over the AFM layer. The SAF structure includes a recessed lower pinned layer, an upper pinned layer, a reference layer and a stabilization feature. The stabilization feature may include deliberate reduction of the antiferromagnetic coupling energy density between the upper pinned layer and the reference layer, so that it becomes lower than the first energy density of antiferromagnetic coupling between the upper pinned layer and the lower pinned layer. The stabilization feature may alternatively include an intermediate pinned layer between the lower pinned layer and the upper pinned layer. The intermediate pinned layer is antiferromagnetically coupled to both the lower pinned layer and the upper pinned layer, and at least a portion of the intermediate pinned layer is recessed behind the bearing surface.

Abstract: Determining a Curie temperature (Tc) distribution of a sample comprising magnetic material involves subjecting the sample to an electromagnetic field, heating the sample over a range of temperatures, generating a signal representative of a parameter of the sample that changes as a function of changing sample temperature while the sample is subjected to the electromagnetic field, and determining the Tc distribution of the sample using the generated signal and a multiplicity of predetermined parameters of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frequency analyzer circuitry, filter circuitry, and voice coil motor (VCM) control circuitry. The frequency analyzer circuitry is configured to detect one or more dominant frequencies of a position error signal (PES). The filter circuitry is configured to identify one or more filters in response to detecting the one or more dominant frequencies, apply the one or more identified filters to at least one of a microactuator control signal and PES, and generate a VCM compensation signal in response to the filtered PES or the microactuator control signal. The VCM control circuitry is configured to generate a VCM control signal in response to the VCM compensation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a slider and a detector coupled to the slider. The slider is configured for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic recording medium. The slider comprises a heater configured to receive a modulated signal and cause oscillation in a spacing between the slider and the medium. At least one heat generating component of the slider is configured to receive a modulated signal. A contact sensor is situated on the slider to receive heat generated by the at least one heat generating component. The detector is configured to measure a response signal of the heated contact sensor as the slider approaches the medium. The detector is further configured to detect contact between the slider and the medium in response to the response signal reaching a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A waveguide core extends from an input coupler towards a media-facing surface of a read/write head. A cap is located between a terminating end of the waveguide core and the media-facing surface. The cap is formed of a high index of refraction, high-corrosion resistant material that is different than a material used to form the waveguide core. A near-field transducer is proximate the cap in a down-track direction. A head overcoat on the media-facing surface covers the cap.

Abstract: An SSD controller maintains a zero count and a one count, and/or in some embodiments a zero/one disparity count, for each read unit read from an SLC NVM (or the lower pages of an MLC). In an event that the read unit is uncorrectable in part due to a shift in the threshold voltage distributions away from their nominal distributions, the maintained counts enable a determination of a direction and/or a magnitude to adjust a read threshold to track the threshold voltage shift and restore the read data zero/one balance. In various embodiments, the adjusted read threshold is determined in a variety of described ways (counts, percentages) that are based on a number of described factors (determined threshold voltage distributions, known stored values, past NVM operating events). Extensions of the forgoing techniques are described for MLC memories.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording medium with enhanced magnetic stability. In accordance with some embodiments, a multi-layer recording structure is formed on a base substrate and adapted to magnetically store a magnetic bit sequence in domains substantially perpendicular to said layers. A thin magnetic stabilization layer is formed on the multi-layer recording substrate to magnetically stabilize an upper portion of the recording structure.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.