Abstract: A metrology system for measuring the magnetic properties of a magnetic recording medium layer on a device used for perpendicular recording.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a slider structure able to lower a flying height compensation ratio caused by a projecting deformation of an air bearing surface of a slider by a flying height control mechanism and afford a change in flying height with a low control power. In one embodiment, a slider is provided with a leading edge, an air bearing surface, and a trailing edge. The air bearing surface includes a front pad, the front pad being made up of a front step bearing surface, leading rail surfaces, and side step bearing surfaces. The air bearing surface also includes a negative pressure groove surface surrounded by the front pad.

Abstract: The problem of increased edge sensitivity associated with the reduction of the spacing between bias magnets in a CPP head has been solved by limiting the width of the bias cancellation layer and by adding an extra layer of insulation to ensure that current through the device flows only through its central area, thereby minimizing its edge reading sensitivity.

Abstract: A tunnel junction TMR magnetoresistive sensor formed on layers having nitrogen interspersed therein. The nitrogenation of the layers on which the sensor is deposited allows the sensor layers to have very smooth, uniform surfaces. This greatly improves sensor performance by, for example, providing a very uniform barrier layer thickness.

Abstract: This invention provides a CPP TMR or GMR sensor with an amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer and a crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer strongly exchange-couples to an underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer and planarizes its rough surface. The crystalline ferromagnetic upper keeper layer strongly antiparallel-couples to an adjacent ferromagnetic reference layer across a nonmagnetic spacer layer. The amorphous ferromagnetic lower keeper layer is preferably made of a Co—Fe—B alloy film with an Fe content high enough to ensure strong exchange-coupling to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer, and with a B content high enough to ensure the formation of an amorphous phase for planarizing an otherwise rough surface due to the underlying antiferromagnetic pinning layer.

Abstract: A writer pole for perpendicular recording and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The writer pole comprises a laminated structure of a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic amorphous metal spacer layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers. Additional ferromagnetic and non-magnetic layers can be added, in an alternating fashion, to produce other laminated structures. Forming a perpendicular writer element includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a spacer layer on the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer on the spacer layer. Forming the perpendicular writer element can further include trimming the writer pole.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor having magnetically anisotropic bias layers for biasing the free layer of the sensor. The hard magnetic layer is formed over a seed layer structure that has been treated to induce the magnetic anisotropy in the hard bias layers. The treated seed layers also allow the hard bias layers to be deposited over a crystalline material such as in a partial mill design, without the need for a buffer layer such as Si to break the epitaxial growth initiated by the underlying crystalline layer.

Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to-plane magneto-resistive element includes a magneto-resistive film and a pair of upper and lower magnetic shielding films holding the magneto-resistive film therebetween for current feeding. The lower magnetic shielding film has an at least two-layer structure including a crystalline material layer and an amorphous material layer disposed below the crystalline material layer.

Abstract: An actuator includes a leadscrew and a helical gear engaging the leadscrew, the helical gear having journals extending from opposite ends thereof. A carriage operatively engages the journals. A relative rotation between the leadscrew and the helical gear creates a relative movement between the carriage and the leadscrew in a direction parallel to an axis of the leadscrew.

Abstract: A suspension is disclosed that includes a pre-load section and a load section. The pre-load section is configured to be connected to a base. The load section is connected to the pre-load section and comprises a load beam portion, a flex circuit portion, and a brace. The brace extends laterally exterior to the load beam portion proximate to the pre-load section. The brace increases the lateral sway vibration mode of the load section, allowing the load beam portion to be narrower, and provide a decreased weight and increased torsion vibration mode, while also maintaining an increased lateral sway vibration mode.

Abstract: A motor for use in a disk drive is disclosed. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotably coupled to the stator and has an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a disk mounting hub. A plurality of bendable balancing tabs is attached to the rotor. The plurality of bendable balancing tabs includes at least three bendable balancing tabs disposed about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A lower shield layer has a substantially flat shape, and an upper shield layer has a front portion and a rear portion, where the front portion is disposed closer to the lower shield layer than the rear portion. A lower conductive electrode and an upper conductive electrode are disposed between the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer. The lower conductive electrode is electrically connected to the lower shield layer, and the upper conductive electrode is electrically connected to the upper shield layer. Since the lower and upper conductive electrodes are disposed between the upper and lower shield layers, each of the lower shield layer and the upper shield layer may be formed to have a small area and a simple shape.

Abstract: A lead overlay design of a magnetic sensor is described with sensor and free layer dimensions such that the free layer is stabilized by the large demagnetization field due to the shape anisotropy. In one embodiment the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect under the leads is destroyed by removing the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and pinned layers above the free layer. The overlaid lead pads are deposited on the exposed spacer layer at the sides of the mask that defines the active region. In other embodiment a layer of electrically insulating material is deposited over the sensor to encapsulate it and thereby insulate it from contact with the hardbias structures. Various embodiments with self-aligned leads are also described. In a variation of the encapsulation embodiment, the insulating material is also deposited under the lead pads so the electrical current is channeled through the active region of the sensor and sidewall deposited lead pads.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly is provided. The magnetic head assembly includes a slider in which a head element is mounted. A flexure supports the slider. The flexure includes a pair of outriggers, a connection portion, and a tongue portion. A flexible wiring substrate is fixedly bonded to the surface of the flexure. An electrode pad of the slider and an electrode pad of the flexible wiring substrate are bonded to each other by solder. A plurality of solder bonded portions are arranged on the connection portion. A deformable portion is formed in the pair of outriggers and located on an extended line on which the solder bonded portions are arranged, so that the free end side of the flexure is deformable.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate having a tape bearing surface. A plurality of elements are coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the tape bearing surface. The elements selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof. A base is coupled to the substrate. The base has an outrigger formed integrally therewith. The outrigger causes a tape passing thereacross to approach the substrate at a first wrap angle relative to a plane of the tape bearing surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A rotational micro-actuator (20) used in hard disk driver is disclosed. It comprises a frame (21) approximately in the shape of letter “S” and PZT pieces (28, 29) attached to said frame (21), wherein said frame (21) is formed with a central coupling portion (213) by which the micro-actuator (20) is coupled to a suspension tongue (177), and two pieces of said PZT (28, 29) are arranged in central symmetry manner about said central coupling portion (213) such that said micro-actuator (20) can rotate about said central coupling portion (213) in response to the driving signals applied to said PZT pieces (28, 29), thus cause the displacement of the head element secured to the micro-actuator (20) so as to achieve the fine positioning of the head element. With above configuration, the micro-actuator of this invention will not cause the resonance of the suspension base plate during operation. Thereby the servo bandwidth of the hard disk driver is expanded.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head and a method of manufacturing the magnetic recording head are provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer and a return path layer that face each other with a gap therebetween in a lamination direction. A non-magnetic insulating layer is interposed between the main magnetic pole layer and the return path layer. At least one stepped portion is formed on a facing surface of at least one of the main magnetic pole layer and the return path layer.

Abstract: A head suspension for a hard disk drive is capable of improving shock property of the hard disk drive while miniaturizing the hard disk drive. A head suspension has a base plate to be attached to a carriage and turned around a spindle of the carriage, a load beam which includes a beam and a hinge, a base end of the beam being supported to the base plate through the hinge and which applies a load onto a head for writing and reading data to and from a disk at a front end side thereof, and a flexure which connects the head to writing and reading wires and supports the head and which is attached to the load beam, where the hinge is set to be relatively thicker than the beam so that the load beam is made thin and the load is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides improved positional control for an access element moveable adjacent a rotatable surface, such as a data transducing head adjacent a data recording disc in a data storage device. The apparatus comprises a fluidic stripper with one or more cantilevered arms which project proximate a corresponding array of one or more rotatable surfaces. Each arm comprises an edge surface which extends proximate to and in facing relationship with a movement path of an access element across the associated rotatable surface to impede fluidic currents established by rotation of the rotatable surface. Each arm further supports a ramp structure which receivingly supports the access element at a position away from the rotatable surface and proximate the innermost diameter during a deactivated mode when the rotatable surface is stationary.

Abstract: A magnetic head is provided that is formed by fixedly bonding a slider having a thin-film magnetic element on a flexure formed of metallic material which constitutes a gimbal suspension. The slider includes electrodes conducted to the thin-film magnetic head on an end surface thereof on a trailing side which is orthogonal to the recording-medium-opposed surface. The flexure has independent spacer projections. The slider and the flexure are bonded by an adhesive agent applied to bonding areas on end surfaces of a pair of spacer projections positioned in the vicinity of the end surface of the slider on the trailing side of the spacer projections.