Patents Assigned to Seagate Technologies
  • Magnetic element with enhanced coupling portion
    Patent number: 8705212
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method may be used to produce a magnetic element capable of detecting changes in magnetic states. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a magnetically responsive lamination of layers with a first portion and a laterally adjacent second portion. The second portion having a predetermined roughness between at least two layers capable of producing orange-peel coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jason Bryce Gadbois, Michael Christopher Kautzky, Mark William Covington, Dian Song, Dimitar Velikov Dimitrov, Qing He, Wei Tian, Thomas Boonstra, Sunita Gangopadhyay
  • Sanitizing a non-volatile memory through charge accumulation
    Patent number: 8705291
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sanitizing a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory array. In accordance with various embodiments, a memory cell is sanitized by using a write circuit to accumulate charge on a floating gate of the cell to a level such that application of a maximum available read sensing voltage to a control gate of the cell is insufficient to place the cell in a conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ryan James Goss, David Scott Seekins, Navneeth Kankani
  • Trace-gimbal assembly with extension that prevents contact between solder joints
    Patent number: 8705324
    Abstract: An apparatus has a slider body that includes an upper surface opposed to a media-facing surface. The slider body has an edge joined between the media-facing surface and the upper surface and facing a coupling region. The slider body includes a first bond pad on the edge and a laser submount coupled to the upper surface of the slider body. The laser submount has a second bond pad facing the coupling region. The apparatus includes a trace-gimbal assembly having first and second electrical traces facing the coupling region and electrically coupled to the respective first and second bond pad via first and second solder joints. An extension of the trace-gimbal assembly extends between the first and second solder joints preventing contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ravishankar Ajjanagadde Shivarama, Christopher Unger
  • FEATURE DETECTION WITH LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEDIUM
    Publication number: 20140104603
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting surface features is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of strands configured to contain light and further configured to transmit light from a light source to a surface of an article. The apparatus may also include a detector configured to receive light reflected from the surface of the article via the plurality of strands, wherein the detector is further configured to detect features associated with the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, Florin Zavaliche, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Maissarath Nassirou, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin
  • Shield Stabilization Configuration with Applied Bias
    Publication number: 20140104729
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor stack, first and second shields positioned on opposite sides of the sensor stack, and a first shield stabilization structure adjacent to the first shield and applying a bias magnetic field to the first shield. A second shield stabilization structure can be positioned adjacent to the second shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Junjie Quan, Jae-Young Yi
  • DISTINGUISHING FOREIGN SURFACE FEATURES FROM NATIVE SURFACE FEATURES
    Publication number: 20140104604
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon detector array; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a first focal plane and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a second focal plane, wherein the processing means is further configured for distinguishing foreign surface features of the article from foreign native features of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Maissarath Nassirou, Florin Zavaliche
  • AUTOMATED CLUSTER SIZE MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20140104718
    Abstract: A cluster size measurement method includes writing a first pattern of a first size of a first number of magnetic clusters. A second pattern of a second size of a second number of magnetic clusters is written, wherein the second plurality of clusters includes clusters of the first number of clusters and a switched cluster. A cluster size of the switched cluster is automatically determined by contrasting the first size and the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jason Charles Jury, Xiaowei Wu, Pierre Asselin
  • MULTI-LAYER PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER WITH INACTIVE LAYERS
    Publication number: 20140104722
    Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a control object, such as a microactuator used to position a read/write transducer adjacent a data storage medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) element is adapted to induce rotational displacement of the control object in a bending mode of operation. The PZT element has a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of electrically conductive layers interposed between the piezoelectric material layers. The piezoelectric material layers include a first subset of active layers and at least one non-active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: John S. Wright, Razman Zambri
  • Write pole and shield with different taper angles
    Patent number: 8699183
    Abstract: A first trench sidewall has a continuous first taper angle that terminates at a first plane. At least one layer may be deposited that forms a second trench sidewall with a continuous second taper angle that extends a predetermined depth past the first plane and is less than the first taper angle. A write pole may then be formed on the second trench sidewall with the write pole being closer to the first trench sidewall at the predetermined depth than at the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Sarbeswar Sahoo, Michael Christopher Kautzky, Hui Tao Brickner, David Christopher Seets, Mark T. Kief
  • Seed layer comprising FCC structure
    Patent number: 8696874
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for improving perpendicular magnetic recording media. The present invention provides media, and a method of fabricating media in a cost-effective manner, with a reduced ruthenium (Ru) content interlayer structure, while meeting media performance requirements. A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is provided comprising a non-magnetic substrate having a surface, and a layer stack situated on the substrate surface. The layer stack comprises, in overlying sequence from the substrate surface a magnetically soft underlayer; an amorphous or crystalline, non-magnetic seed layer; an interlayer structure for crystallographically orienting a layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording material situated on the underlayer; and at least one crystallographically oriented, magnetically hard, perpendicular magnetic recording layer situated on the interlayer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shoutao Wang, Weilu Xu, Chunghee Chang, Xiaoguang Ma, Mark Johnson, Abebe Hailu, Charles Chen
  • Method and manufacture process for exchange decoupled first magnetic layer
    Patent number: 8697260
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a dual-layer magnetic film is disclosed. The bottom layer is completely exchange decoupled, and the top layer contains a certain amount of exchange coupling optimized for recording performance. Preferably, the bottom magnetic layer contains stable oxide material (for example, TiO2) and other non-magnetic elements (for example, Cr). A method of manufacturing the media is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zhong Stella Wu, Samuel Dacke Harkness, IV, Mariana R. Munteanu, Qixu Chen, Connie Chunling Liu
  • Near-field transducer
    Patent number: 8699307
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Edward Charles Gage, Yongjun Zhao
  • Self-aligned bevels for write poles
    Patent number: 8699184
    Abstract: A method, including depositing a layer of material onto a base portion of a wafer, is disclosed. The layer of material has a first surface adjacent the base portion. The method also includes depositing a pattern of masking material onto a portion of a second surface of the layer. Material from the layer of material that is unprotected by the pattern of masking material is removed from the layer of material. By removing such material a portion of the layer of material is suspended from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jie Zou, Kaizhong Gao
  • Magnetoresistive memory elements with separate read and write current paths
    Patent number: 8698218
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory element has a free layer, and a write current path aligned with a free layer plane. The memory element has a pinned layer with a magnetization direction aligned with that of the free layer. A barrier layer is disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer. The free, barrier and pinned layers together form a layer stack that has a read current path that extends through the layer stack and that is not aligned with the write current path in the free layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Mark William Covington
  • Fluid dynamic motor with reduced vibrations
    Patent number: 8699182
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a hub, a first disk, a second disk, and a spacer. The hub is supported for relative rotation about a stationary component. The first disk is mounted to the hub with a first dynamic resonance mode associated therewith. The second disk is mounted to the hub with a second dynamic resonance mode associated therewith. The spacer is positioned between the first disk and the second disk, wherein the spacer is operable to cause the first dynamic resonance mode to be different from the second dynamic resonance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Aiello, Xiong Liu, Hans Leuthold, Chuen Buan Lee, Choon Kiat Lim, Chris Michael Woldemar
  • CLASSIFICATION OF SURFACE FEATURES USING FLUORESENCE
    Publication number: 20140098364
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article, a photon detector array configured to receive photons from surface features of the article; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from the surface features and photons fluoresced from the surface features, wherein the processing means is further configured for classifying the surface features of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Maissarath Nassirou, Florin Zavaliche
  • CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SURFACE FEATURES
    Publication number: 20140098368
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including an optical characterization device; a photon detector array configured to sequentially receive a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of the article and subsequently processed by the optical characterization device; and a chemical characterization means for chemically characterizing the surface features of the article, wherein the chemical characterization means is configured for processing the first set of photons received by the photon detector array and the second set of photons received by the photon detector array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Maissarath Nassirou, Henry Luis Lott, David M. Tung, Florin Zavaliche, Stephen Keith McLaurin
  • APPARATUS FOR IMAGING A UNIFORMLY IRRADIATED ARTICLE
    Publication number: 20140098217
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a reflective surface configured to reflect photons onto a surface of an article, a stage configured to support the article, and an assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly configured to radiate photons through the article to the reflective surface. The assembly is further configured to image the article with irradiance of the photons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Maissarath Nassirou, Florin Zavaliche
  • BLOCK COPOLYMER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140099478
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a block copolymer assembly structure, including a first pattern and second pattern with a first density of patterned features integrated in data and servo zones, a silicon substrate with thin film layers deposited thereon and patterned using the first density of first pattern and second pattern features and a template fabrication pattern with a second density greater than the first density created using ordered block copolymer periodic structures across a portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology, LCC
    Inventors: XiaoMin Yang, Kim Yang Lee, Hong Ying Wang
  • IMAGING A TRANSPARENT ARTICLE
    Publication number: 20140098370
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, comprising a first photon emitter configured to emit photons into an article from a circumferential edge of the article, and a photon detector array configured to detect photons scattered from features of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Maissarath Nassirou, Florin Zavaliche