Abstract: A fabrication method that includes cryogenically cooling a multi-layered structure, which includes a barrier layer, in a multi-purpose chamber having a single enclosure around at least one sputtering target and a substrate support. The method also includes depositing a ferromagnetic layer over the barrier layer of the cryogenically cooled multi-layered structure in the single enclosure when the multi-layered structure is supported on the substrate support.

Abstract: A method for scanning for flaws on a magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium has a first set of nonconsecutive data tracks and a second set of nonconsecutive data tracks. The method includes writing a test pattern to only the first set of nonconsecutive data tracks of the magnetic recording medium, reading of the test pattern written to the first set of nonconsecutive data tracks, and identifying flaws within the first set of nonconsecutive data tracks and the second set of nonconsecutive data tracks based on the reading the test pattern.

Abstract: Data is written to data sectors of a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium using a laser of a HAMR head supplied with a sum of an operational current and a threshold current. A service current is supplied to the laser when the head is over servo sectors of the medium, such that a temperature of the medium at the servo sectors is greater than or equal to a temperature of the head when over the servo sectors.

Abstract: Gain values used by a variable gain amplifier (VGA) to read servo marks of a heat-assisted recording medium are measured. Sector-specific, repeatable gain values that indicate an expected VGA gain at a desired clearance are determined based on the measured gain values. The sector-specific, repeatable gain values are used as input to a closed-loop clearance controller together with measured values of servo VGA gain while writing data to the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording head includes a magnetic write transducer proximate a near-field transducer. The magnetic write transduce includes a yoke extending in a direction normal to a media-facing surface and a having an edge facing and recessed from the media-facing surface. A write pole extends beyond the first end of the yoke towards the media-facing surface and overlaps a first surface of the yoke that faces the near-field transducer. The write pole has a stepped edge facing away from the media-facing surface. Two or more coil turns are stacked relative to one another in a down-track direction. The two or more coils face a second surface of the yoke that is opposed to the first surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for enacting data security in a data storage device, such as by protecting against a differential power analysis (DPA) attack. In some embodiments, a dithered clock signal is generated having a succession of clock pulse segments. Each of the clock pulse segments has a different respective frequency selected in response to a first random number and a different overall duration selected in response to a second random number. The different segment frequencies are selected by supplying the first random number to a lookup table, and the different segment durations are obtained by initializing a timer circuit using the second random number. The dithered clock signal is used to clock a programmable processor during execution of a cryptographic function.

Abstract: A data storage system and associated method of using may generally have at least a data storage device that has independent first and second interfaces respectively connecting the data storage device to a host controller and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller can be configured to provide system information to the data storage device prior to a synchronized connection being established between the data storage device and the host controller.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a first output driver connected to a first output via a first trace and a second output driver connected to a second output via a second trace. The first output driver may be configured to output a first drive signal to the first output to drive the first output and the first drive signal may cause first induced noise in the second trace. Further, the second output driver may be configured to output a second drive signal based on the first drive signal where the second drive signal may reduce the magnitude of the first induced noise at the second output.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for proactively cleaning a data storage surface subjected to a mechanical disturbance. In some embodiments, data access commands are serviced by a data storage device to transfer user data between a host device and a rotatable data recording surface using a radially moveable data transducer. A media cleaning operation is scheduled and performed in response to the detection of a mechanical disturbance event externally applied to the data storage device. The media cleaning operation involves sweeping the data transducer across the data recording surface from a first radius to a second radius over a selected time duration. The entirety of the data recording surface is swept if sufficient time is available between pending commands to maintain a desired host data transfer rate. Otherwise, a partial cleaning operation is scheduled in which portions of the recording surface are successively cleaned between the servicing of the pending commands.

Abstract: Electronic devices may have several power supplies. Current from the power supplies may be provided to multiple loads, such as motors, processors, or other devices. When a current demand of one or more of the loads increases, current from the power supplies may be provided to meet the increased current demands of the one or more loads. To determine how much current can be provided to the loads from the power supplies, output currents of the power supplies can be determined, and a feedback voltage can be generated based on the output currents. The feedback voltage can be compared against hysteretic voltages to determine how much current may be transferred from the power supplies to the loads to compensate for the current demands of the loads.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a manufacturing apparatus including a first chamber having a first cavity, and a first actuator. The first actuator aligns the opening of the first chamber to an opening in a second chamber having a second cavity, sealing the first cavity to the second cavity. The manufacturing apparatus further includes gas flow componentry that in conjunction with the first actuator and first chamber evacuate the second cavity by drawing a vacuum in the first cavity. After the second cavity is evacuated, the gas flow componentry fills the second cavity filled with a gas by introducing the gas to the first cavity. A second actuator seals the gas in the second cavity by applying a seal that covers the opening in the second chamber while the first and second cavity remains sealed to one another via the first actuator.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a motor includes a shaft positioned adjacent a sleeve for relative rotation. The sleeve includes a first radial recirculation channel. The shaft and sleeve form first and second gaps. The first gap is configured to form a pump seal, is positioned above the first radial recirculation channel, and has a width measured between the shaft and sleeve. The second gap is configured to form a journal bearing, is positioned below the first radial recirculation channel, and has a width measured between the shaft and sleeve. The width of the first gap is greater than the width of the second gap.

Abstract: A faulty tracking condition affecting a first head driven by a first actuator of a hard disk drive is determined. The faulty tracking condition is caused by a second actuator of the hard disk drive that is moving while the first actuator is performing a tracking operation. Responsive to the determination of the faulty tracking condition, seek forces of the second actuator that cause the faulty tracking condition affecting the first head are reduced. A controller verifies that similar faulty tracking conditions are reduced with the first head in response to the reduction in seek forces.

Abstract: A sequence of symbols is generated to describe a set of write data, the symbols having a length of nT, where T is a channel clock rate and n is an integer over a predetermined range. Bi-directional write currents are applied to a write pole to record the sequence of symbols to a magnetic storage medium. The write pole has an effective footprint with a downtrack length of mT, where m is an integer. The write currents are switched between a first rail current and a second rail current for alternating symbols, the write currents further transitioning to an intermediate current value for at least one channel clock period for symbols longer than 1T. Write currents are applied to the write pole when recording symbols having a length longer than mT using the effective footprint of the write pole as an interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive read threshold voltage tracking with gap estimation between default read threshold voltages. A read threshold voltage for a memory is adjusted by estimating a gap between two adjacent default read threshold voltages; determining statistical characteristics of two adjacent memory levels based at least in part on a type of statistical distribution of the memory levels, a distribution of data values read from one or more cells using a plurality of read threshold voltages and the gap; computing an adjusted read threshold voltage associated with the two adjacent memory levels by using the statistical characteristics of the two adjacent memory levels; and updating the read threshold voltage with the adjusted read threshold voltage. The adjustment is optionally performed responsive to one or more read errors.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording includes a laser diode optically coupled to a waveguide of the slider. A power supply is coupled to the laser diode. A preamplifier is coupled to the power supply. The preamplifier is configured to monitor a forward voltage across the laser diode while operating the laser diode at a constant current during a write operation, detect a change in the forward voltage indicative of laser power instability, and generate a signal in response to detecting the forward voltage change.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having a media-facing surface and that is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a write pole, a heatsink layer, and a diffusing metal. The write pole includes two or more sides extending into the slider and a pole tip at the media-facing surface. The heatsink layer is proximate at least part of the two or more sides of the write pole, and a first portion of the heatsink layer is proximate the pole tip. The diffusing metal is disposed proximate the write pole.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer having a peg and a disc, the peg having a region adjacent the ABS, the peg including a plasmonic material selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), aluminum (Al), or combinations thereof; and at least one other secondary atom selected from germanium (Ge), tellurium (Te), aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), indium (In), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the secondary atom is higher at the region of the peg adjacent the ABS than a concentration of the secondary atom throughout the bulk of the peg. Methods of forming NFTs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the devices include a write pole; a near field transducer (NFT) including a peg and a disc, wherein the peg is at the ABS of the device; an overcoat, the overcoat including a low surface energy layer.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the devices including a write pole; a near field transducer (NFT) that includes a peg and a disc, wherein the peg is at the ABS of the device; a heat sink positioned adjacent the disc of the NFT; a dielectric gap positioned adjacent the peg of the NFT at the ABS of the device; and a conformal diffusion barrier layer positioned between the write pole and the dielectric gap, the disc, and the heat sink, wherein the conformal diffusion barrier layer forms at least one angle that is not greater than 135°.