Abstract: At least one laser input current is applied to a laser in a heat assisted magnetic recording device. Laser output power of the laser is measured at the at least one applied laser current. A relationship is characterized amongst temperature, applied laser input current and laser output power. Laser current is set to an optimal laser current as determined at manufacturing. A metric of recording performance is measured to determine if the relationship is acceptable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing a disc stack to a spindle motor hub. In some embodiments, a disc clamp assembly includes a spring clamp with an annular contact portion which contactingly engages a disc stack and a central aperture through which a hub projection of the spindle motor hub extends. A plurality of interlocking semi-annular shim segments interlock together to form a continuous retention ring assembly which wedges between the spring clamp and a shoulder surface of the spindle motor hub.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to systems and methods for temperature-based device operation. In one example, a device may include a first memory and a temperature detection module adapted to measure a temperature of the device and modify a data storage behavior of the first memory based on the temperature. The device may further comprise a second memory, and the temperature detection module may direct that data be written to the first memory less frequently, and be written to the second memory more frequently when a threshold temperature is exceeded. The temperature detection module may also implement operating limitations for the device when a threshold temperature is exceeded, such as restricting execution of background diagnostics or implementing other operating limitations. In some embodiments, other environmental factors such as humidity, altitude, air pressure, physical shock, or other factors may be monitored and the device operation may be modified based on those factors.

Abstract: A topographic profile of a structure is generated using atomic force microscopy. The structure is scanned such that an area of interest of the structure is scanned at a higher resolution than portions of the structure outside of the area of interest. An profile of the structure is then generated based on the scan. To correct skew and tilt of the profile, a first feature of the profile is aligned with a first axis of a coordinate system. The profile is then manipulated to align a second feature of the profile with a second axis of the coordinate system.

Abstract: Near field transducers (NFTs) and devices that include a peg having an air bearing region and an opposing back region, the back region including a sacrificial structure, a disc having a first surface in contact with the peg, and a barrier structure, the barrier structure positioned between the opposing back region of the peg and the first surface of the disc.

Abstract: A data writer may be configured with at least a write pole and a continuous coil with the continuous coil having a first turn with a first cross-sectional shape and a second turn with a second cross-sectional shape that differs from the first cross-sectional shape. The second turn may be positioned proximal a leading edge of the write pole and an air bearing surface while the first turn is positioned distal the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a controller capable of being coupled to a read/write head. The controller is configured to receive a fault signal from a sensor of the read/write head. The sensor indicates whether an energy source used to heat the recording medium is malfunctioning during a write operation. In response to the fault signal, the controller takes remedial action to protect the data associated with the write operation.

Abstract: A method or system for comprises determining a certification level of storage area for storing data of a write request based on a characteristic of the data, selecting a target storage area based on a media certification table and the determined certification level and storing data at the target storage area.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a heat assisted magnetic recording read/write element) that has an optical component that extends to a location adjacent a media-facing surface of a slider body. The apparatus further includes a planar plasmon antenna that is disposed between the tip portion of the magnetic write pole and the optical component. The planar plasmon antenna can be formed of a plasmonic material operationally capable of a plasmonic excitation in response to an evanescent coupling with an optical mode of the optical component. In some instances, the planar plasmon antenna includes an enlarged region spaced from the optical component and a peg region formed in the enlarged region. The peg region has a thickness in a direction substantially transverse to the optical component that is less than a thickness of a portion of the enlarged region that spaces the peg region from the optical component.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting media defects using a multi-sensor transducer. In some embodiments, a first pattern is written to a first track on a rotatable storage media and a second pattern is written to a second track on the media. A first read sensor of a multi-sensor transducer senses the first pattern from the first track and a second read sensor of the multi-sensor transducer concurrently senses the second pattern from the second track. At least one storage media defect is detected responsive to the sensed first and second patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus including a waveguide input coupler, a tapered branch waveguide, and a waveguide adaptor physically connected to the waveguide input coupler proximal end and to the branch waveguide proximal end. The waveguide input coupler includes a distal end having a distal end width and a proximal end having a proximal end width. The tapered branch waveguide includes a distal end having a distal end width and a proximal end having a proximal end width, the branch waveguide distal end width being greater than the branch waveguide proximal end width. The waveguide input coupler, the branch waveguide, and the waveguide adapter are configured to convert input light having a base transverse waveguide mode to output light having a higher-order waveguide mode.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide systems and methods for data write management in a storage device responsive to detection of a disturbance. Responsive to the detection of the disturbance, a write operation is paused and a transducer head is moved from a first position on the target data track to a second position separated from the first position by at least one data track. At the second position, the write operation is resumed.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 96.9 mm to 100.4 mm. In other embodiments, an apparatus comprises a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 2½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 66.9 mm to 71.8 mm. In other embodiments, a data storage device has a magnetic recording medium that uses an enlarged substrate as set forth above.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding data, such as from a rotatable magnetic recording medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of sensors is provided, with each sensor configured to generate a sense signal from an adjacent pattern. A processing circuit is configured to decode data from the adjacent pattern using the generated sense signals.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for temporarily writing data to a buffer zone on a recording medium of a storage device when the device is operating in a vibration condition. A vibration condition is detected in the storage device, and upon detecting the vibration condition, data of a current write operation is written to a buffer zone on a recording medium of the storage device, the buffer zone being configured with a lower areal density of storage than primary storage zones on the recording medium. At a later time, an idle condition may be detected in the device, and upon detecting the idle condition, it may be determined whether the vibration condition exists. If it is determined that the vibration condition no longer exists, the data is transferred from the buffer zone to the primary storage zones on the recording medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating random numbers. In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a random number generator circuit that generates a random number responsive to a total number of programming pulses used to transition a solid-state memory cell from a first programming state to a second programming state.

Abstract: A system may have a data storage medium that contains at least one data bit that is accessed by a transducing head that has a near-field transducer. A controller can be connected to the transducing head and store a plurality of near-field transducer operating currents in a memory. The controller may identify a change in efficiency of the near-field transducer from the plurality of near-field transducer operating currents.

Abstract: A device including a magnetic transducer; top and bottom magnetic shields, wherein the top and bottom magnetic shields are adjacent the magnetic transducer on opposite surfaces thereof; a heating element configured to provide heating along a heating path towards the first and second magnetic shields; and a low thermal conductivity structure, wherein at least a portion of the low thermal conductivity structure is positioned along the heating path between the heating element and the magnetic transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for two dimensional reading may be constructed, in accordance with some embodiments, with a number of magnetic stacks respectively configured to engage adjacent data tracks of a data storage media. Each magnetic stack can be disposed between top and bottom shields while each shield is segmented into a number of contacts different than the number of magnetic stacks.

Abstract: An inrush current controller for a device has a connector for hot-plugging the device into a source of energization. An impedance has a current input coupled to a first contact of the connector and a current output coupled to the device. The impedance has an impedance control input. An impedance control circuit has a logic input coupling to a second contact of the connector. The impedance control circuit has an impedance control output connected to the impedance control input. The impedance control output forces the impedance OFF during a first time interval after hot-plugging. The logic input triggers a limited inrush at the current input after the first time interval.