Abstract: A fixed data region on a storage medium may be allocated with one of a variety of allocation schemes (e.g., a randomly writable allocation scheme, a non-randomly writeable allocation scheme with a first data isolator spacing, a non-randomly writeable allocation scheme with a second data isolator spacing, and a non-randomly writeable allocation scheme with no dynamic isolators). Dynamic sub-region spacing refers at least to the number of data tracks in a data region of a magnetic disc between dynamic isolators and the number of bits in a data region in flash memory between dynamic isolators. The presently disclosed technology adapts isolators on the storage medium to create dynamic sub-regions based on characteristics of the storage medium, characteristics of the data, and/or expected access patterns of data to be written to the storage medium.

Abstract: A circuit may be configured to adjust a correction signal for each phase of an electric motor based on a rotational position of a spindle of the electric motor, generate a distorted waveform based on the correction signal, and drive the electric motor in response to the distorted waveform. In some examples, back electromotive force (BEMF) may be determined in order to adjust a motor drive waveform, which may reduce or eliminate motor vibrations. A motor drive signal may be pre-warped (i.e. distorted) such that when the correctional signal and drive signals are combined, there is a reduction in acoustic emissions or motor vibrations. Other parameters, such as cogging torque, may be measured to reduce motor vibration and acoustic emissions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk is provided that includes the steps: forming a layer of a lubricant material on a surface of a magnetic storage medium, the layer of lubricant material also being located on an interior and/or exterior edge of the medium; and removing at least some of the lubricant material from the edge 160 of the medium.

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.

Abstract: A device having an air bearing surface, the device including a writer portion having an air bearing surface at the air bearing surface of the device; and an overcoat layer disposed on at least a portion of the air bearing surface of the writer portion, wherein the overcoat includes a material having a magnetic moment of at least about 0.1 Tesla (T).

Abstract: Magnetic write heads for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) are disclosed that include a laser diode having a light emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider, an optical waveguide, and a printed bonding agent disposed in an air gap between the laser diode and the slider. The printed bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing. Also included is a method that includes attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head and depositing a bonding agent into the air gap using a focused stream of bonding agent. A light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide. The light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction and an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction. The bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.

Abstract: A data writer may be constructed, in accordance with some embodiments, with a write pole tip that is configured with leading and trailing edges on opposite sides of a tip body. The trailing edge may be shaped by a recess that extends into the tip body towards the leading edge.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a memory including a first area of total usable storage capacity of the memory reported to a host device, a second area occupied by error correction code (ECC) appended to data stored in the first area, and a third area of usable data storage capacity not reported to the host device. The apparatus may further comprise a controller configured to balance sizes of the second area and third area to maintain a size of the first area as the length of ECC of data stored in the first area increases. The controller may be further configured to exchange data having an ECC of a controllable length with the memory based on a data storage location, and adjust the controllable length of the ECC based on an error history of the data storage location.

Abstract: A servo control field on a recordable medium includes a bit patterned media (BPM) pattern including a plurality of dots arranged in a down-track orientation and in a cross-track orientation, wherein the dots comprise a plurality of dot composites. Each of the dot composites includes a plurality of dots. A first spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of dots in a dot composite in the down-track direction on the recordable medium is less than a second spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of dot composites in the down-track direction. A readback signal generated in response to the BPM patterned may be filtered to attenuate harmonic frequencies in the readback signal.

Abstract: A magnetic element may generally be directed to data bit sensing in various data storage environments. An example magnetic element may be configured with at least a magnetic stack contacting a magnetic shield having a current constriction feature configured to transition current from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation proximal an air bearing surface (ABS).

Abstract: The relative trajectory of a transducer head over bit-patterned media (BPM) may be skewed with respect to a down-track direction on the media (i.e., skew error). In order to resolve the skew error, the presently disclosed technology measures the skew error without adding additional patterning on the media. A detector circuit detects a sequential series of data bits on a storage media. The sequential series of data bits alternate between at least two tracks on the storage media. The sequential series of data bits are sent to a timing circuit, which sets a time stamp indicating when each data bit is received using, for example, a delay chain or a voltage ramp. A time elapsed between receiving a first data bit, a second data bit, and a third data bit is tracked. Transducer head skew is adjusted based on a signal containing the time elapsed between the bits.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes sensing a mode of a motor-base assembly's response to vibration. Based on the sensed response, the method includes adjusting a head-suspension assembly to compensate for off-track motion caused by the vibration. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a sensor positioned on a basedeck such that the sensor senses a mode of the motor-base assembly's response to linear vibration.

Abstract: A system for peer-to-peer vibration mitigation in a distributing computing system includes a secondary communication interface over which chassis management electronics (e.g., a chassis-level controller) and/or system storage nodes may initiate communications to in order to affect system changes that may decrease vibration-related performance degradation in the system.

Abstract: A stack having a seed layer structure with a first part having a first cross-track width and a free layer deposited over the seed layer structure and with a second cross-track width, wherein the first cross-track width is greater than the second cross-track width. In one implementation, the seed layer structure further comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer. In one alternate implementation, the cross-track width of the seed layer structure is substantially equal to the combined cross-track width of the free layer and cross-track width of two permanent magnets.

Abstract: A plurality of addressable memory tiles each comprise one or more cross-point arrays. Each array comprises a plurality of non-volatile resistance-change memory cells. A controller is configured to couple to the array and to a host system. The controller is configured to perform receiving, from the host system, one or more data objects each having a size equal to a predetermined logical block size, and storing the one or more data objects in a corresponding integer number of one or more of the memory tiles.

Abstract: A data storage device may generally be constructed and operated with at least a controller configured to identify a variance from a predetermined threshold in at least one variable resistance memory cell and upgrade a first error correction code (ECC) level to a second ECC level for the at least one variable resistance memory cell.

Abstract: A ball grid array presentment apparatus and associated method are provided. The apparatus has a stationary guard defining a first passage. A core is mounted adjacent to the stationary guard, the core being operably moveable between an unload position and a second position. The core defines a second passage and supports a workpiece fixture operably retaining the ball grid array. The unload position of the core operably aligns the second passage to the first passage, the aligned passages being sized to permit access to unload the ball grid array from the workpiece fixture. The second position of the core operably misaligns the second passage from the first passage whereat the core and the stationary guard cooperatively form an enclosure around the workpiece fixture containing a supply of balls that are not retained in the ball grid array.