Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction element having a plurality of ferromagnetic layers stacked with a dielectric layer interposed between the adjacent ferromagnetic layers and storing magnetic information through reversal of magnetization of at least one of the magnetization layers, and a spin wave oscillator having a magnetization free layer, a nonmagnetic layer stacked on the magnetization free layer, a magnetization pinned layer stacked on the nonmagnetic layer, and a pair of electrodes adapted to apply current in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetization free layer, the nonmagnetic layer and the magnetization pinned layer to thereby generate a spin wave. The spin wave oscillator is arranged in vicinity of the magnetic tunnel junction element to allow heating of the magnetic tunnel junction element and reversal of magnetization.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head having an MR element in which the tolerance of external magnetic field is improved even under the condition that shields have smaller areas. The head includes: an MR element includes lower and upper shield layers provided so as to sandwich an MR multilayer, one of edges of each of the layers reaching a head end surface on an ABS side; and an electromagnetic transducer including main and auxiliary magnetic pole layers, one of edges of each of the layers reaching the head end surface, wherein at least one laminate shield layer for tolerating an external magnetic field is provided adjacently on one side or on both sides in a track width direction of at least one layer out of the upper and lower shield layers and the auxiliary magnetic pole layer, and one edge of the at least one laminate shield layer reaching the head end surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly reliable patterned medium without generating an error in recording and reproduction, and a magnetic disc memory device using the same. The patterned medium has a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, a non-magnetic layer, an intermediate layer and a recording layer. The recording layer has a pattern structure of a non-magnetic material and a magnetic material, and the Young's modulus of the non-magnetic material is larger than the Young's modulus of the magnetic material.

Abstract: An improved formulation for free layers in MTJ sensors is disclosed. Optimized results of the prior art suggest free layer iron concentrations less than 20 atomic % give the best performance. The present invention discloses improved TMR ratio, Hce, and ? performance for high free layer iron concentrations between about 70 and 91.5 atomic %, when compared to the prior art.

Abstract: In a read-write head, the shields can serve as magnetic flux conductors for external fields, so that they direct a certain amount of flux into the recording medium. This problem has been overcome by the addition to the shields of a pair of tabs located at the edges closest to the ABS. These tabs serve to prevent flux concentrating at the edges so that horizontal fields at these edges are significantly reduced. Said tabs need to have aspect ratios of at least 2 and may be either triangular or rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the tabs may be omitted and, instead, outer portions of the shield's lower edge may be shaped so as to slope upwards away from the ABS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film magnetic device realizing effective improvement in magnetic permeability in a high frequency area. The thin film magnetic device includes a thin film coil and a plurality of strip-shaped magnetic films disposed along a plane in which the thin film coil extends. The plurality of strip-shaped magnetic films are disposed to extend in one direction only in a pair of areas facing each other. The pair of areas is selected from four areas obtained by dividing, in the winding direction, the area where the thin film coil extends.

Abstract: An airflow diverter is used to overcome the adverse effect of flow-induced vibration of a disk drive pivot actuator. The diverter may be formed as a separate component or as an integral portion of the flex stiffener or the actuator itself. The invention streamlines the actuator to the incoming airflow and helps reduce the torque disturbance to the actuator as it reduces the sail or parachute effect. This helps reduce power consumption due to a lower drag from the actuator assembly. The contour of the flow deflector is designed to conform closely to the curvature of the disk boundaries when the actuator is rotated to the ID position on the disk. This design serves as a shroud around the disk stack which further helps to reduce power by preserving flow momentum.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided, in which thermal protrusion can be suppressed. The thin film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer which conducts a magnetic flux into the recording medium so that the recording medium is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the recording medium, a first return yoke layer provided in a trailing side of the main magnetic pole layer, and has a recess in a top surface, a second return yoke layer provided so as to fill at least the recess of the first return yoke layer, and a thermal expansion suppression layer provided in a trailing side of the second return yoke layer. Thus, since the thermal expansion suppression layer can be provided on a surface having no recess, a possibility of a crack in the thermal expansion suppression layer can be eliminated.

Abstract: Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective bilayer on a magnetic read/write head or magnetic disk. The bilayer is formed as an adhesion enhancing underlayer and a protective diamond-like carbon (DLC) overlayer. The underlayer is formed of an aluminum or alloyed aluminum oxynitride, having the general formula AlOxNy or MezAlOxNy where Mez symbolizes Tiz, Siz or Crz and where x, y and z can be varied within the formation process. By adjusting the values of x and y the adhesion underlayer contributes to such qualities of the protective bilayer as stress compensation, chemical and mechanical stability and low electrical conductivity. Various methods of forming the underlayer are provided, including reactive ion sputtering, plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition, pulsed laser deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation.

Abstract: A cartridge transport robot transports a cartridge of information storage media between differing locations in a cartridge library. The cartridge robot comprises a robot carriage; a robot tray; and a carriage motive system. The robot tray comprises a guide configured to facilitate linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot carriage comprises cartridge engagement elements configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The carriage motive system is configured to provide linear motion to the robot carriage along the robot tray from a carriage retracted position to a carriage extracted position and thereby linearly displace the cartridge engaged by the cartridge engagement elements.

Abstract: A cartridge library (30) comprises at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); and, a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive. The transport mechanism (54) is configured to transport the cartridge between, e.g., cells of the magazine (52) and/or between the magazine (52) and the drive (60). The transport mechanism (54) comprises a robot (300) and a robot motive system. The robot comprises a robot carriage (308) and a robot tray (302). The robot carriage (308) carries or comprises cartridge engagement elements (310) configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The robot tray (302) facilitates linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot motive system comprises three robot motive subsystems (312, 360, 450) and a (robot) carriage motive subsystem (380).

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic recording head utilizing a timing based servo pattern is fabricated by sputtering a magnetically permeable thin film onto a substrate. A gap pattern, preferably a timing based pattern, is defined by the thin film. The gap pattern includes termination patterns or endpoints that are elliptical or diamond-shaped.

Abstract: Disk clamp including a disk clamp base and a disk clamp platform. Disk pack including at least one disk coupled between disk clamp and spindle motor. Hard disk drive including disk pack mounted on disk base. Manufacturing methods for disk clamp base, disk clamp platform, disk pack and hard disk drive, and these items as products of their manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head supported on an air-bearing slider has a magnetic write pole (WP) with a WP end at the air-bearing surface (ABS) having a width generally equal to the data track width and a trailing shield (TS) with a TS end generally coplanar with the WP end. The TS has a first portion with a width at the TS end substantially wider than the width of the WP end and a TS notch (TSN) portion with a width at the TS end generally equal to the width of the WP end. The TS first portion has a height in a direction perpendicular to the ABS, and the TSN portion has a throat height (TH) in a direction perpendicular to the ABS that is less than the height of the TS first portion. A nonmagnetic gap layer separates the WP from the TSN portion and a nonmagnetic pad layer separates the WP from the TS first portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a mobile data storage magazine for interacting with a docking station. The magazine can include a magazine frame containing a plurality of operatively interconnected disk drives, a first contact element associated with the magazine frame capable of conducting electrical power to at least one of the plurality of disk drives when engaged with a second contact element associated with the docking station wherein the first and second contact elements are adapted to cooperate in a non male/female relationship. The magazine can further comprise a first communication element capable of conducting data between at least one of the plurality of disk drives and the docking station when the first communication element is operatively linked to a second communication element associated with the docking station.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is capable of securing an insulating property and minimizing the projection of a recording element section due to heat expansion. The thin-film magnetic head includes a pair of magnetic layers disposed with a predetermined gap therebetween on a surface facing a recording medium. The layers are connected to each other along an inner part in a height direction from the medium-facing surface. A spiral recording coil is disposed between the pair of magnetic layers and wound around a connecting portion of the pair of magnetic layers. The recording coil includes a dense coil portion formed with a pitch smaller than that of the inner part in the height direction so as to be closer to the medium-facing surface than the connecting portion. An organic insulating layer is locally formed to fill coil gaps of the dense coil portion, and coil gaps other than those of the dense coil portion are filled with an inorganic insulating layer.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing having a shaft (12) and a bearing sleeve (11) rotatably supported relative to each other. At least one of the shaft and the bearing sleeve is made of steel or stainless steel made of by weight C: 0.6˜1.20%; Si: 1.0% or less; Mn: 1.0% or less; Cr: 10.5˜18.0%; Mo: 1.0% or less; S.: 0.03% or less; and Fe. The dynamic pressure bearing surface (20) is formed by ridges (22) remaining in between multiple dynamic pressure grooves (21) formed by electrochemical machining.

Abstract: A base plate and hard disk drive having the base including a head stack assembly installation portion on which a head stack assembly carried by a shipping comb having a middle support portion is rotatably installed; and a step portion formed on a surface of the base plate to restrict rotation of the shipping comb by hooking the middle support portion of the shipping comb when the head stack assembly installed on the head stack assembly installation portion is rotated with the shipping comb coupled to the head stack assembly.

Abstract: An area of an element can be made small and fluctuation in area can be reduced. A magneto-resistance effect element is provided with a first electrode with an end face; a magneto-resistance effect film which is formed such that a surface thereof comes in contact with the end face of the first electrode; and a second electrode which is formed on another surface of the magneto-resistance effect element opposed from the surface coming in contact with the surface of the first electrode. The magneto-resistance effect film includes a magnetization pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned, a magnetization free layer whose magnetization direction is changeable, and a first non-magnetic layer which is provided between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer.