Abstract: An apparatus that includes a write pole, the write pole including a magnetic material; a near field transducer-heat sink (NFT-HS), the NFT-HS including a noble metal; and a power source configured to electrically bias the write pole with respect to a second structure.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a disc drive. The arm assembly has a load arm for supporting a slider and has a lift tab with a ramp-engaging region for parking the load arm when not in use. This ramp-engaging region has an outer surface defined by a first radius and a second radius different than the first radius.

Abstract: Apparatus for two dimensional data reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a plurality of read sensors positioned symmetrically about a pivot point with at least two of the read sensors configured to concurrently read two dimensional user data while being immune to skew angle misalignment.

Abstract: A slider for a disc drive assembly may be attached to various substrates during manufacture and installation in the disc drive assembly. In some examples, a slider attachment system includes a substrate, a first diffusion barrier layer formed over the substrate, a first solder-wettable protection layer formed over the first diffusion barrier layer, a second diffusion barrier layer formed over the first solder-wettable protection layer, and a second solder-wettable protection layer formed over the second diffusion barrier layer. The first and second solder-wettable protection layers may be formed of a material that is inert to a chemical etchant that can chemically dissolve the diffusion barrier layers. In use, solder may be applied to the second solder-wettable protection layer to wet and dissolve the layer. If the substrate needs to be detached and reattached, etchant can chemically dissolve the second diffusion barrier layer to expose the first solder-wettable layer for reattachment.

Abstract: A method comprising introducing a workpiece support into a chamber of an apparatus. The workpiece support is for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces. The apparatus comprising: the chamber having an interior space configured to be maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure; a vapor source for supplying the interior space of the chamber with a linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor; the workpiece support for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces with surfaces facing the vapor source; and a conveyor for continuously moving the workpiece support transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source. The method also comprising continuously moving the workpiece support with the plurality of workpieces supported thereon transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source and depositing a uniform thickness film of the lubricant on at least one surface of each of the plurality of workpieces.

Abstract: A slider that minimizes lubricant accumulation includes bearing surfaces that provide above ambient fluid pressure, a cavity located between two bearing surfaces and at least one step feature that is spaced apart from the bearing surfaces and is located in and protrudes from a floor of the cavity at a height that is less than a height of the bearing surfaces. The at least one step feature includes surfaces configured to diverge and converge airflow in the cavity.

Abstract: A device comprises a near field transducer (NFT) and electrodes configured to at least one of generate or enhance surface plasmons in the NFT by passing electrical current through a portion of the NFT.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a slider includes an air bearing surface having a cavity. The cavity includes transition features at an upstream side of the cavity to mitigate air flow expansion along the cavity. Turbulence-inducing features are positioned on the transition features.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a magnetic recording head substrate. The method includes utilizing a metal feature on the magnetic recording head substrate as a grounding path. The magnetic recording head substrate is submerged in a solution containing ions of a second material, and the ions of the second material are electrodeposited on the magnetic recording head substrate.

Abstract: A write element including a pole tip shield is disclosed. In embodiments disclosed, for example, the pole tip shield includes side shield portions fabricated of a graded magnetic moment material to form graded side shield portions having a magnetic moment that decreases in the down-track direction along a length of the side shield portions. In another embodiment, the pole tip shield includes side shield portions having a shortened length extending along a partial length of side edges of the pole tip. In illustrated embodiments, the side shield portions are formed of a contoured body having an indented portion forward of the leading edge of the pole tip. The indented portion has a rounded indented surface contour forming a rounded profile for a gap region between a leading edge portion of the pole tip shield forward of the leading edge of the pole tip.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a memory, such as a flash memory array. In accordance with various embodiments, data are stored in a first location in a memory, and read from the first location a selected number of times. At least one parameter associated with the first location is measured after the data are read the selected number of times. The data are thereafter migrated to a second location in the memory responsive to the measured parameter indicating a presence of read disturbance in the data in the first location.

Abstract: A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide core having an elongated edge parallel to a substrate plane of the apparatus. An output end of the waveguide core faces a media-facing surface of the apparatus. A plate-like portion of a plasmonic material has a major surface facing the elongated edge of the waveguide core, and the major surface has a narrowed output end facing the media-facing surface. An elongated ridge of the plasmonic material is disposed on at least part of the plate-like portion between an input end and the narrowed output end.

Abstract: Parameters indicative of resistance variance of the memory elements are tracked. The resistance variance affects values of data stored in the resistance-based memory elements. A hash function is performed for each memory element. The hash function returns a reference to one of a plurality of counter elements. A value of each counter element is modified in response to the tracked parameter data of the associated memory element. Read operations affecting the memory elements are adjusted based on the values for the associated counter elements.

Abstract: A system and associated method of using may generally have at least a mobile data storage device with a controller directing data to first and second tiers of memory. The first tier of memory can have at least boot data pre-fetched from the second tier of memory with the boot data including at least metadata and personalized user data.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first counter for counting successive bits representative of a logic 1, and a second counter for counting successive bits representative of a logic 0, wherein a first predetermined count on the first counter or a second predetermined count on the second counter indicates a randomness failure. A method for testing randomness performed by the apparatus is also included.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are generally directed to a magnetic sensor. A sensor may have a stack with an air bearing surface (ABS) and a biasing surface opposite the ABS. A biasing yoke can be disposed between a biasing magnet and the stack with the biasing magnet having a lower magnet moment than the biasing yoke.

Abstract: A mount plate includes a flange having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a boss tower having a swage hole and extending from an area where the boss tower meets the first surface of the flange to an end surface of the boss tower. The boss tower has an inner diameter defining an inner surface of the swage hole, an outer diameter defining a portion of an outer surface of the boss tower and at least one cut-out portion formed in the boss tower along an obliquely angled plane. The cut-out portion intersects with the outer surface at a first area located a first distance from where the boss tower meets the first surface of the flange and intersects with the end surface at a second area located a second distance from the inner diameter. The first distance is less than the second distance.

Abstract: A write pole can have a magnetically conductive pole tip has at least one corner. The at least one corner may be chamfered to limit magnetic saturation of the conductive pole tip. The conductive pole tip can have one or more beveled surface that has a chamfered corner which extends a predetermined distance along an edge of the write pole.

Abstract: Testing and compensating for fly height of a head in a storage device during settling time using a head for use on a storage medium and a processor to idle the head for an idle time, unload the head from idle, and compensate for any unsettled fly height of the head using the idle time and at least a pre-determined clearance settling function over time from idle.