Abstract: A bit patterned media (BPM) encoded recordable medium includes a servo control field including servo bits. Each servo bit is represented by a servo bit pattern of dots and gaps on the recordable medium. In the servo bit patterns, substantially no two dots are placed immediately next to one another, and substantially all servo bit patterns start with a gap and/or substantially all servo bit patterns end with a gap.

Abstract: A system or device that has a storage media and a storage controller configured to non-statically allocate a media scratch pad to one of a plurality of storage locations on the storage media. The plurality of storage locations may be, for example, on a disc surface, or on multiple disc surfaces.

Abstract: A data storage device may have at least a qualifier circuit that is configured to recognize a write error during a write operation for a single user data sector on a data storage medium and resume the write operation from the location of the write error by skipping at least one user data sub-sector to provide multiple separate original user data sub-sectors that collectively form the single user data sector.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided employing data capacity determination logic. The logic dynamically changes a data storage capacity of an electronic data storage memory. The change in capacity is made in relation to a transient energy during a power state change sequence performed by the electronic data storage memory.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for determining the linear storage density of data tracks on a recording media of a storage device while compensating for segments of the recording media with poor bit-error rates. The sectors of the data track are grouped into a plurality of segments and a bits-per-inch capability (“BPIC”) value is determined for each of the plurality of segments based on a target bit-error rate. The lowest segment BPIC value from amongst the plurality of segments is then determined as well as an average BPIC value for the entire data track. The final BPI value for the data track is determined based on the average BPIC value and the lowest segment BPIC value.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a first region corresponding to a data region in a patterned recording medium; a first set of features in the first region; a second region corresponding to a servo region in a patterned recording medium; and a second set of features in the second region including rhomboidal protrusions, wherein the first set of features and the second set of features are circumferentially aligned in accordance with concentrically circular lines etched into the apparatus across the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A method for re-using a soft decoder involves receiving soft data and hard data from memory cells in a memory device, mapping the soft data to a first set of soft information, mapping the hard data to a second set of soft information, and using the soft decoder to decode both the first set and second set of soft information.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing an array of multi-level cell (MLC) memory cells. In accordance with various embodiments, a non-sequential encoding scheme is selected that assigns a different multi-bit logical value to each of a plurality of available physical states of a selected MLC memory cell in relation to write effort associated with each of said plurality of physical states. Data are thereafter written to the selected MLC memory cell in relation to the selected non-sequential encoding scheme. In some embodiments, the MLC memory cell comprises a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) memory cell. In other embodiments, the MLC memory cell comprises an MLC flash memory cell.

Abstract: A programmable metallization cell (PMC) that includes an active electrode; a nanoporous layer disposed on the active electrode, the nanoporous layer comprising a plurality of nanopores and a dielectric material; and an inert electrode disposed on the nanoporous layer. Other embodiments include forming the active electrode from silver iodide, copper iodide, silver sulfide, copper sulfide, silver selenide, or copper selenide and applying a positive bias to the active electrode that causes silver or copper to migrate into the nanopores. Methods of formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Changes in the thermal boundary condition near a close point of an ABS to a media indicate proximity of the ABS with the media. Before contact, heat conduction from the ABS is primarily through convective and/or ballistic heat transfer to air between the ABS and the media. After contact, heat flux primarily flows from the ABS to the media through solid-solid conductive contact. Further, a light source within a HAMR transducer head may create additional thermal variations within the transducer head. These thermal variations create temperature variations within the transducer head. Two resistance temperature sensors on the transducer head at varying distances from the close point and/or light source measure these temperature variations. A temperature difference between the two resistance temperature sensors indicates proximity of the close point to the media and/or light output.

Abstract: A system for poling piezoelectric devices comprises a plurality of thin-film components, a plurality of piezoelectric devices, a poling pad for poling the piezoelectric devices, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of current-limiting elements. The thin-film components are separated by dice lanes to form an array, and the piezoelectric devices are formed on the thin-film components. The traces connect the piezoelectric devices across the dice lanes in parallel to the poling pad. Each current-limiting element is connected in series with one of the piezoelectric devices, in order to limit current to individual piezoelectric devices that experience current-related failure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing a memory, such as but not limited to a flash memory. In accordance with some embodiments, initial state information is stored which identifies an actual state of a garbage collection unit (GCU) of a memory during a normal operational mode. During a restoration mode after a memory power cycle event, a virtualized state of the GCU is determined responsive to the initial state information and to data read from the GCU. The memory is transitioned from the restoration mode to the normal operational mode once the virtualized state for the GCU is determined.

Abstract: In an example, a method comprises aligning a central axis of a paddle portion on a write pole circuit to be substantially perpendicular to an adjacent magnetic surface, and bending a central axis of an extended tip portion relative to the central axis of the paddle portion. In another example, a transducer head comprises a write pole circuit having a paddle portion with a central axis, and an extended tip portion with a central axis, the central axis of the extended tip portion angled from the central axis of the paddle portion. In another example, a magnetic circuit comprises a write pole circuit having a paddle portion and an extended tip portion, the extended tip portion bending away from a central axis of the paddle portion, and a coil wrapping around the extended tip portion.

Abstract: A slider having a slider body having an air bearing surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a transducer on the air bearing surface proximate the trailing edge, the transducer comprising a read sensor and a write sensor. The slider also has a heater, positioned proximate the transducer, and a continuous dielectric layer comprising a dielectric material having a coefficient of thermal conductivity of at least 20 W/m-K, the dielectric layer positioned adjacent to and in contact with the heater and between the heater and the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an input region having a high-refractive-index material and an input surface configured to receive light emitted from a laser. An output surface of the apparatus is configured to deliver energy to a recording medium. The apparatus includes a plasmonic waveguide having a first elongated portion at an angle to the input surface and configured to receive the light through the input region. In response to receiving the light, surface plasmons are excited and guided to an end of the first elongated portion. The plasmonic waveguide includes a second elongated portion coupled to the end of the first elongated portion and configured to guide the surface plasmons to the output surface.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose an alternating current (AC) erase process configured to cancel out existing polarity of stack magnetic features on both sides of the stack and an AC reset process configured to initialize the polarity of the device stack magnetic features of both sides of a stack configured to create a uniform polarity.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a plasmonic cladding structure including at least one conformal plasmonic cladding structure wrapped around plural stack features of a recording device, wherein the conformal plasmonic cladding structure is configured to create a near-field transducer in close proximity to a recording head of the recording device, at least one conformal plasmonic cladding structure with substantially removed top surfaces of the stack features with exposed magnetic layer materials and a thermally insulating filler configured to be located between the stack features.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method including oxidizing tops of features of a patterned magnetic layer to form oxidized tops of the features; removing an excess of an applied first protective material down to at least the oxidized tops of the features to form a planarized layer; and applying a second protective material over the planarized layer.

Abstract: An apparatus including a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, the near field transducer comprising silver (Ag) and at least one other element or compound; a first magnetic pole; and a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the heat sink includes: rhodium (Rh) or an alloy thereof; ruthenium (Ru) or an alloy thereof; titanium (Ti) or an alloy thereof; tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof; tungsten (W) or an alloy thereof; borides; nitrides; transition metal oxides; or palladium (Pd) or an alloy thereof.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for adaptive write pole tip protrusion compensation in a storage device having magnetic recording media. Variations in temperature of a head of a storage device are measured for various combinations of values of write-channel parameters during multiple test writes to the recording media. Sensitivity of the head temperature to change in value of the write-channel parameters is determined from the temperature measurements. A ratio of change in write pole tip protrusion of the head to change in head temperature is also determined. From the sensitivity of the head temperature to change in value of the write-channel parameters and the ratio of change in write pole tip protrusion of the head to change in head temperature, a coefficient corresponding to each write-channel parameter is calculated for the head to be utilized in a write pole tip protrusion compensation mechanism of the storage device.