Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes an MR element and a bias magnetic field generation unit. The MR element includes a free layer shaped to be long in one direction. The bias magnetic field generation unit includes a ferromagnetic layer for generating a bias magnetic field. The ferromagnetic layer includes two main portions, a first side portion, and a second side portion arranged to surround the perimeter of the free layer. In any cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the free layer, a shortest distance between the first side portion and the free layer and a shortest distance between the second side portion and the free layer are 35 nm or less.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a write shield separated from the main magnetic pole by a write gap, a first side shield that is separated from the main magnetic pole by a first side gap, a second side shield that is separated from the main magnetic pole by a second side gap, a first layer that has a first magnetic relative permeability and is disposed in the write gap between the main magnetic pole and the write shield, and a second layer that has a second magnetic relative permeability and is disposed in the first side gap and the second side gap, wherein the first magnetic relative permeability is smaller than the second magnetic relative permeability.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the tape bearing surface of the module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes a sensor structure having a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a reference layer. At least some of the sensor structures are recessed from a plane extending along the tape bearing surface. An at least partially polycrystalline coating is positioned on a media facing side of the recessed sensor structures.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: an array of write transducers. Each of the write transducer include: a first write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the first write pole, and a second write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the second write pole. Each of the write transducers also include a nonmagnetic write gap between the pole tips of the write poles, a first high moment layer between the write gap and the pole tip of the second write pole, and a second high moment layer between the write gap and the pole tip of the first write pole. The first and second high moment layers each have a higher magnetic moment than magnetic moments of the pole tips of the second and first write poles, respectively.

Abstract: An exchange-coupled film according to the present invention includes an antiferromagnetic layer, pinned magnetic layer, and free magnetic layer which are stacked. The antiferromagnetic layer is composed of a Pt—Cr sublayer and an X—Mn sublayer (where X is Pt or Ir). The X—Mn sublayer is in contact with the pinned magnetic layer. The Pt—Cr sublayer has a composition represented by the formula Pt?Cr100 at %-? (? is 44 at % to 58 at %) when the X—Mn sublayer is placed on the Pt—Cr sublayer or has a composition represented by the formula Pt?Cr100 at %-? (? is 44 at % to 57 at %) when the X—Mn sublayer is placed on the pinned magnetic layer.

Abstract: A write head having a write pole tip. The write pole tip includes a bearing surface and a sidewall extending from the bearing surface to a rear end of the write pole tip. The sidewall has a first shape (e.g., a straight-line sidewall shape) substantially at the bearing surface and a second shape (e.g., a multi-segment sidewall shape or a curved sidewall shape) between the bearing surface and the rear end.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate; an underlayer; and a magnetic layer including an alloy having an L10 structure. The substrate, the underlayer, and the magnetic layer are stacked in the recited order. The underlayer includes a first underlayer. The first underlayer includes magnesium oxide and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, vanadium nitride, and vanadium carbide, and a total content of the one or more compounds is in a range of 45 mol % to 70 mol %.

Abstract: A data storage device involves inner surfaces of sidewalls of a second cover overlapping with and adhesively bonded with the outer surfaces of sidewalls of an enclosure base having an uppermost top surface, where the second cover or an underlying first cover are removably adhered to the uppermost top surface of the base. The removable adhesive bond may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which can provide for reworkability during the manufacturing and testing process. The second cover-to-base sidewall bond may form a hermetic seal between the second cover and the base. Hence, a thinner base sidewall adjacent to the recording disks is enabled, leaving more space available for larger-diameter recording disks within a standard form factor, hermetically-sealed storage device, which may be filled with a lighter-than-air gas.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure. The dual stage actuation flexure comprises a flexure having a gimbal. The gimbal comprising a pair of spring arms, a tongue between the spring arms, and a pair of linkages respectively connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal and a pair of stiffeners respectively mounted on the motors. The dual stage actuation flexure further comprises a slider mounting. Electrical activation of the motors bends the pair of linkages to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffeners limit the degree of bending of the motors during the electrical activation.

Abstract: A hollow shaft includes a hollow portion extending in an axial direction from an opening that is open at one end of the hollow shaft in the axial direction. The hollow shaft further includes a first communicating hole establishing radial communication between the hollow portion and an axial space between an upper lubricating oil and a lower lubricating oil. The hollow shaft further includes a second communicating hole establishing radial communication between the hollow portion and an unsealed space inside the motor. The unsealed space is connected to an external space outside the motor. The hollow shaft further includes a sealing member closing the opening. The hollow shaft has, in an inner peripheral surface facing the hollow portion, a recess recessed radially outward. A part of the sealing member is fitted into the recess.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for remotely controlling a capture of images of a data storage library during operation thereof with a bracket on an accessor includes pairing a remote controller to a wireless image capture device that is coupled to a bracket mounted on an accessor, instructing the wireless image capture device to start recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof, including movement of the accessor, and thereafter, instructing the wireless image capture device to stop recording images of the data storage library during operation thereof.

Abstract: A recording head that includes a reader having a front end at a bearing surface of the recording head and a rear end behind the bearing surface. The reader has a non-rectangular shape with a front-end width that is less than an average width of the reader. A first bias element is positioned proximate to a first side of the reader, and a second bias element is positioned proximate to a second side of the reader. Each of the first and second bias elements has a bias level that is a function of a ratio of the front-end width to the average width of the reader.

Abstract: A thin-film piezoelectric-material element includes a laminated structure part having a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric-material film laminated on the lower electrode film and an upper electrode film laminated on the piezoelectric-material film, a lower piezoelectric-material protective-film being formed with alloy material, and an upper piezoelectric-material protective-film being formed with alloy material. The lower piezoelectric-material protective-film and the upper piezoelectric-material protective-film are formed respectively in the lower side of the lower electrode film and the upper side of the upper electrode film, of the laminated structure part, so as to sandwich the laminated structure part. The lower piezoelectric-material protective-film, and the upper piezoelectric-material protective-film are formed with alloy material including Fe as main ingredient and having Co and Mo, by Ion beam deposition.

Abstract: A thin-film piezoelectric-material element includes a laminated structure part having a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric-material film laminated on the lower electrode film and an upper electrode film laminated on the piezoelectric-material film, a lower piezoelectric-material protective-film being formed with alloy material, and an upper piezoelectric-material protective-film being formed with alloy material. The lower piezoelectric-material protective-film and the upper piezoelectric-material protective-film are formed respectively in the lower side of the lower electrode film and the upper side of the upper electrode film, of the laminated structure part, so as to sandwich the laminated structure part.

Abstract: A method for programming a head gimbal assembly. The method includes building a plurality of transducers into a slider, and testing the plurality of transducers to select one of the plurality of transducers for field operation. The method also includes providing an interconnect assembly having a plurality of traces with at least one of the plurality of traces having a plurality of electrically coupled bond pads. One of the plurality of bond pads is bonded electrically to the selected transducer out of the plurality of transducers, and the other bond pads of the plurality of bond pads are not electrically coupled to any of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A recording head that includes a bearing surface and a write pole having a front surface that forms a portion of the bearing surface. The recording head also includes a side shield for the write pole. The side shield includes a low saturation magnetization cap layer having a front surface that forms a portion of the bearing surface. The side shield also includes a main side shield layer having a saturation magnetization that is higher than a saturation magnetization value of the low saturation magnetization cap layer.

Abstract: A hard magnet stabilization scheme is disclosed for a top shield and junction shields for double or triple dimension magnetic reader structures. In one design, the hard magnet (HM) adjoins a top or bottom surface of all or part of a shield domain such that the HM is recessed from the air bearing surface to satisfy reader-to-reader spacing requirements and stabilizes a closed loop magnetization in the top shield. The HM may have a height and width greater than that of the top shield. The top shield may have a ring shape with a HM formed above, below, or within the ring shape, and wherein the HM stabilizes a vortex magnetization. HM magnetization is set or reset from room temperature to 100° C. to maintain a desired magnetization direction in the top shield, junction shield, and free layer in the sensor.

Abstract: A hybrid dual reader. The hybrid dual reader includes first and second read sensors with conflicting design characteristics. The first read sensor includes at least one signal-to-noise ratio favoring design characteristic. The second read sensor includes at least one pulse width favoring design characteristic. The at least one signal-to-noise ratio favoring design characteristic is in conflict with the at least one pulse width favoring design characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider configured to facilitate heat assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a plurality of bond pads including a first electrical bond pad, a second electrical bond pad, and a ground pad. A laser diode comprises an anode coupled to the first electrical bond pad and a cathode coupled to the second electrical bond pad. The laser diode is operable in a non-lasing state and a lasing state. A heater is coupled between the ground pad and at least one of the anode and cathode of the laser diode. The heater is configured to generate heat for heating the laser diode during the non-lasing state and the lasing state.

Abstract: A system for corrosion protection of a tape drive. The system includes: the tape drive; a humidity sensor for determining humidity information; a temperature sensor for establishing temperature information indicative of a temperature in an area of, or within, the tape drive; a heating entity for heating at least a portion of the tape drive; and a controller for activating the heating entity in a manner dependent on the temperature information established via the temperature sensor in order to prevent corrosion within the tape drive, the activating the heating entity being in response to a determination that the humidity information determined via the humidity sensor indicates that the relative humidity is above a specified relative humidity threshold value and the established temperature information indicates a temperature drop above a specified temperature drop value within a specified period of time.