Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • SLIDER FOR MAGNETIC RECORDING APPARATUS WITH PROJECTION COMPRISING OPTICAL TURNING ELEMENT AND METHODS OF FABRICATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20150049595
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider, a light source disposed upon an outer surface of the slider and a projection extending above the outer surface of the slider. The light source comprises a resonant cavity aligned with the outer surface of the slider. The projection comprises an optical turning element that is optically coupled to the light source. Also included are methods of fabrication thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Ralph Kevin Smith
  • Determining Data Retention Time in a Solid-State Non-Volatile Memory
    Publication number: 20150052416
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory array. In accordance with some embodiments, a test pattern is written to a selected block of solid-state non-volatile memory cells. The test pattern is read from the selected block and a total number of read errors is identified. A data retention time is determined in response to the total number of read errors and an elapsed time interval between the writing of the test pattern and the reading of the test pattern. Data in a second block of the solid-state non-volatile memory cells are thereafter refreshed in relation to the determined data retention time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Prohofsky, Darren E. Johnston
  • Peg height of near-field transducers
    Patent number: 8958271
    Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing the peg region of a near-field transducer incorporated into a write head of a HAMR magnetic recorder. The method includes providing excitation radiation to one or more near-field transducers. The near-field transducers include an enlarged disk region and a peg region at least partially in contact with the enlarged disk region. The method further includes filtering output radiation from the near-field transducers by passing a portion of photoluminescent radiation emitted by the near-field transducers in response to the excitation radiation and substantially blocking the excitation radiation transmitted by the near-field transducers. The method also includes detecting the portion of photoluminescent radiation and characterizing the peg region of at least one of the plurality of near-field transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Nils Gokemeijer, Yuhang Cheng, Kaspar Ko, Amit Sharma
  • Plasmonic transducer having two metal elements with a gap disposed therebetween
    Patent number: 8958668
    Abstract: A plasmonic transducer includes at least two metal elements with a gap therebetween. The metal elements are elongated along a plasmon-enhanced, near-field radiation delivery axis. Cross sections of the metal elements in a plane normal to the delivery axis vary in shape along the delivery axis. A waveguide is disposed along an elongated side of the plasmonic transducer. The waveguide is optically coupled to the plasmonic transducer along the elongated side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Yongjun Zhao
  • TORN WRITE MITIGATION
    Publication number: 20150046747
    Abstract: Torn write mitigation circuitry determines if a write operation to memory is in progress at or about a time of power loss. In response to the write operation being in progress at or about the time of the power loss, the torn write mitigation circuitry causes torn write data and metadata to be stored to a non-volatile cache. The torn write data comprise data left in a degraded or uncorrectable state as a result of the loss of power. The metadata describe the torn write data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Gaertner, Jon Trantham, Vidya Krishnamurthy, Steve Faulhaber, Yong Yang
  • NEAR-FIELD TRANSDUCER WITH ENLARGED REGION, PEG REGION, AND HEAT SINK REGION
    Publication number: 20150043315
    Abstract: A near-field transducer includes an enlarged region having a top side adjacent to a magnetic pole, a base side opposite the top side, and a circumference that extends from proximal to a media-facing surface to distal to a media-facing surface. The near-field transducer includes a peg region in contact with a region of the bas side of the enlarged region, the peg region extending from the enlarged region towards the media-facing surface. The near-field transducer also includes a heat sink region having a contact side, a base side, and a circumference that extends from proximal to the media-facing surface to distal from the media-facing surface. The contact side of the heat sink region is in thermal contact with both the peg region and at least a region of the base side of the enlarged region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Weibin Chen, Chubing Peng, Werner Scholz
  • SLIDER EDGE FEATURES
    Publication number: 20150040380
    Abstract: A slider comprising a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein the ABS extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body. The slider comprises a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, wherein the transducer comprises a pole tip partially extending from the body. The slider comprises a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of segments. A first segment of the plurality of segments extends from the ABS and is offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body. The first segment is offset from the pole tip portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Merle Jones, Edwin Frank Redja, Joseph Michael Stephan
  • Data Reader With Horizontal Lamination Shield
    Publication number: 20150043107
    Abstract: A data storage device may be constructed to sense data bits with at least a magnetic stack contacting a shield that has a horizontal lamination of magnetic and non-magnetic layers. The magnetic layer may be configured with a first width at an air bearing surface (ABS) that defines a first aspect ratio and a different second width that defines a different second aspect ratio distal the ABS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin McNeill, Peter McGeehin, Marcus Ormston, Aidan Goggin
  • MULTI-SENSOR DATA TRANSDUCER
    Publication number: 20150043098
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding data, such as from a rotatable magnetic recording medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of sensors is provided, with each sensor configured to generate a sense signal from an adjacent pattern. A processing circuit is configured to decode data from the adjacent pattern using the generated sense signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Todd Michael Lammers, Robert Matousek, William Michael Radich
  • APPARATUS WITH A PLURALITY OF HEAT SINKS
    Publication number: 20150043316
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a write transducer comprising a write pole having a tip portion proximate a media-facing surface and a return pole spaced apart from the write pole in a downtrack direction. The apparatus further includes first and second heat sink portions. The first heat sink portion surrounds a first side of the tip portion that faces the return pole and extends outwards from the tip portion in a cross-track direction. The second heat sink portion comprises a first surface proximate the first heat sink portion and a second surface proximate the return pole and extends outwards in the cross-track direction further than the first heat sink portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chris Rea, Zoran Jandric, Hua Zhou
  • GRATING BASED LASER AND POWER MONITOR FOR A HEAT-ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150043317
    Abstract: A head assembly includes a submount, a body with a first surface, an optical path, a near field transducer (NFT), a sensor, and a laser. The optical path is disposed in the body and is adapted to receive light and convey the light to a distal end of the waveguide. The near field transducer (NFT) is disposed adjacent the distal end of the waveguide and has an output end proximate the first surface of the body. The sensor interfaces with the submount and the laser is attached to the submount along a non-primary lasing surface. The laser is adapted to inject light into the waveguide and includes a grating adapted to diffract a portion of the light through the non-primary lasing surface to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allen Seigler, Delai Zhou
  • Servo bursts having at least three frequencies
    Patent number: 8953279
    Abstract: At least three servo burst frequencies are simultaneously detected during a rotation of a disk using a read head. A position of the read head during the rotation is determined based on simultaneously reading at least two of the at least three servo burst frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Riyan Mendonsa, Puskal Prasad Pokharel
  • Method and system for aligning light source with waveguide coupler
    Patent number: 8953420
    Abstract: Light is guided from a light source into a waveguide coupler embedded in a slider. The light source is capable of being positioned in a cross-track, a down-track, and a vertical direction with regards to the waveguide coupler. The light emanating from an air-bearing surface of the slider is imaged using a device that generates an optical image of the air-bearing surface. A cross-track alignment position is identified as a location at which the image shows substantially the same number of photons on each side of the cross-track alignment position and has a minimum spread. A down-track alignment position is identified at which the light emanating from the air-bearing surface has maximal intensity in a down-track direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Chubing Peng
  • Plasmonic transducer having two metal elements with a gap disposed therebetween
    Patent number: 8953272
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Kaizhong Gao, Lien Lee, Amit Itagi, Michael Allen Seigler, Yimin Niu, Sethuraman Jayashankar
  • In situ sensor based contact detection
    Patent number: 8953275
    Abstract: A method for detecting a contact event between a transducer and a recording medium is disclosed. The method includes positioning a transducer with respect to a recording medium, where the transducer includes a writer, a reader, a heater, and a thermally responsive sensor. The method further includes applying power to the heater to establish a fly height of the transducer; supplying a bias current through the thermally responsive sensor to generate a bias signal; measuring a root mean square (RMS) voltage VRMS of the thermally responsive sensor based on the bias signal; determining a threshold voltage VT; and detecting a contact event between the transducer and the medium based on VRMS being greater than VT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Andy Chou, Quan Li, Chee Wee Cheng, Beng Theam Ko, Myint Ngwe
  • Near field transducer for focused optical power delivery
    Patent number: 8953918
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a channel waveguide, a ridge waveguide including a ridge and having a bottom surface, a coupler between the channel waveguide and the ridge waveguide, the coupler including an opening configured to transmit light from the channel waveguide to the ridge waveguide, wherein the opening has a first segment having a first width and a second segment having a second width different from the first width, and a protrusion extending from the ridge beyond the plane of the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Amit Vasant Itagi
  • Submount layers configured to enhance absorption of light proximate a bonding feature
    Patent number: 8953421
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a submount having a mounting surface and a top surface opposite the mounting surface. A slider has a bonding feature that interfaces with the mounting surface of the submount, and two or more layers are disposed between the mounting surface of the submount and the bonding feature. The two or more layers are configured to enhance light absorption of light in proximity to the bonding feature. The light originates from a source of electromagnetic energy that illuminates the top surface of the submount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Michael Allen Seigler
  • Mirroring disk drive sectors
    Patent number: 8954791
    Abstract: A recoverable error associated with a first disk drive sector is determined. Data of the first disk drive sector is duplicated to a mirrored sector in response to the recoverable error. The first disk drive sector continues to be used to store the data after the recoverable error is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Abhay Tejmal Kataria, Christopher Ryan Fulkerson
  • Limiting activity rates that impact life of a data storage media
    Patent number: 8954689
    Abstract: A first cumulative data transfer over a first time window from an intermediary module to a data storage media is determined. The intermediary module is coupled between a host interface and the data storage media. An activity rate from the intermediary module to the data storage media is limited for one or more subsequent time windows if the first cumulative activity rate exceeds a threshold value that impacts life of the data storage media. The limitation of the activity rate is removed after the one or more subsequent time windows expire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: David Scott Seekins, Ryan James Goss, Kristofer Carlson Conklin
  • Correcting position error based on reading first and second user data signals
    Patent number: 8953276
    Abstract: First and second user data signals of respective first and second tracks are simultaneously read from a disk via first and second read transducers co-located on a slider. A position error of the first and second read transducers is corrected based on the first and second user data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Puskal Prasad Pokharel, Riyan Mendonsa