Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a recording portion. The recording portion includes a magnetic pole, a shield, and a stacked body provided between the magnetic pole and the shield. The stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a first layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the magnetic pole, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the shield. The first layer contacts the magnetic pole and includes at least one selected from the group consisting of IrMn, PtMn, FeMn, PdMn, NiMn, RhMn, MnCr, and PtCr. The first intermediate layer includes at least one selected from a first group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, Cr, and Ru.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a TMR based magnetic sensor in a Wheatstone configuration includes conducting a first anneal of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and conducting a second anneal of the MTJ. The MTJ includes a first antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer, a pinned layer over the first AFM pinning layer, an anti-parallel coupled layer over the pinned layer, a reference layer over the anti-parallel coupled layer, a barrier layer over the reference layer, a free layer over the barrier layer, and a second antiferromagnetic pinning layer over the free layer. The first anneal of the MTJ sets the first AFM pinning layer, the pinned layer, the free layer, and the second AFM pinning layer in a first magnetization direction. The second anneal of the MTJ resets the free layer and the second AFM pinning layer in a second magnetization direction. An operating field range of the TMR based magnetic sensor is over ±100 Oe.

Abstract: A spintronic device includes a first ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer includes a first direction of magnetic polarization. Furthermore, the spintronic device includes a second ferromagnetic layer. The second ferromagnetic layer includes a second direction of magnetic polarization opposite to the first direction. Furthermore, the spintronic device includes a long spin lifetime layer. Furthermore, the spintronic device includes a first tunnel barrier layer disposed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the long spin lifetime layer. Furthermore, the spintronic device includes a second tunnel barrier layer disposed between the second ferromagnetic layer and the long spin lifetime layer.

Abstract: A Wheatstone bridge array comprising a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor and a method for manufacturing is disclosed. The bottom lead for the TMR sensor has a very small surface roughness due to not only chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) but also due to forming the bottom lead from multiple layers. The multiple layers include at least a bottom first metal layer and a top second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer. The second metal layer generally has a lower surface roughness than the first metal layer. Additionally, the second metal layer has a slower polishing rate. Therefore, not only does the second metal layer reduce the surface roughness simply be being present, but the slower polishing rate enables the top second metal film to be polished to a very fine surface roughness of less than or equal to ˜2 Angstroms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a large field range TMR sensor of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with a free layer having an intrinsic anisotropy. In one embodiment, a tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) based magnetic sensor in a Wheatstone configuration includes at least one MTJ. The MTJ includes a free layer having an intrinsic anisotropy produced by deposition at a high oblique angle from normal. Magnetic domain formations within the free layer can be further controlled by a pinned layer canted at an angle to the intrinsic anisotropy of the free layer, by a hard bias element, by shape anisotropy, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Described are clamps useful for temporarily holding a slider of a hard disk drive in a test socket for dynamic electrical testing of the slider, as well as related assemblies that include the test socket, a head-gimbal-assembly, a testing assembly, and related methods of use.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an underlayer provided above the substrate, and a magnetic layer provided on and in contact with the underlayer. The underlayer includes a compound represented by a general formula MgO(1-x), where x falls within a range of 0.07 to 0.25. The magnetic layer includes an alloy having a L10 structure, and the alloy having the L10 structure includes one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Al, Si, Ga, and Ge.

Abstract: A spin injection assisted magnetic recording structure is disclosed wherein a ferromagnetic (FM) layer and at least one spin preservation (SP) layer are formed between a main pole (MP) trailing side and a write shield (WS). Current (Ia) flows between the MP and WS, or is injected into the FM layer. As a result, the spin polarized electrons from the FM layer, which flow across one or two SP layers to generate a magnetization that enhances one or both of a local WS magnetization and return field, and a local MP magnetization and write field, respectively. A lead to the FM layer may be stitched to enable lower resistance and improve reliability. The FM layer may be recessed from the ABS to allow more overlap with the SP layer for lower current density while maintaining performance. Higher linear density and area density capability, and better reliability are achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a Wheatstone bridge that has four resistors. Each resistor includes a plurality of TMR structures. Two resistors have identical TMR structures. The remaining two resistors also have identical TMR structures, though the TMR structures are different from the other two resistors. Additionally, the two resistors that have identical TMR structures have a different amount of TMR structures as compared to the remaining two resistors that have identical TMR structures. Therefore, the working bias field for the Wheatstone bridge is non-zero.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a Wheatstone bridge that has four resistors. Each resistor includes a plurality of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) structures. Two resistors have identical TMR structures. The remaining two resistors also have identical TMR structures, though the TMR structures are different from the other two resistors. Additionally, the two resistors that have identical TMR structures each have an additional non-TMR resistor as compared to the remaining two resistors that have identical TMR structures. Therefore, the working bias field for the Wheatstone bridge is non-zero.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance effect element includes: a first ferromagnetic layer; a second ferromagnetic layer; and a non-magnetic layer provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein at least one of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer includes a first layer and a second layer in order from the side closer to the non-magnetic layer, the first layer contains a crystallized Co-based Heusler alloy, at least a part of the second layer is crystallized, the second layer contains a ferromagnetic element, boron element and an additive element, and the additive element is any element selected from a group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mo, Ru, Pd, Ta, W, Ir, Pt, and Au.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a write transducer having: a bottom yoke, a top yoke, a nonmagnetic write gap positioned between the top and bottom yokes, a bottom pole extending from the bottom yoke toward the write gap, and a top pole extending from the top yoke toward the write gap. A width of a media facing side of the bottom pole is about the same as a width of a media facing side of the top pole. The media facing side of the bottom pole is aligned with the media facing side of the top pole along a thickness direction. A method, according to one embodiment, includes performing bidirectional writing to a magnetic recording tape using a write transducer as described above.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic tape including: a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, in which a total thickness of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 5.30 ?m, the magnetic layer has a servo pattern, a center line average surface roughness Ra measured on a surface of the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 1.8 nm, and an absolute value ?N of a difference between a refractive index Nxy of the magnetic layer, measured in an in-plane direction and a refractive index Nz of the magnetic layer, measured in a thickness direction is 0.25 to 0.40, a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape apparatus including this magnetic tape, a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape apparatus including this magnetic tape.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) device. The TMR device includes a high radiation reflective layer between the bottom shield of the TMR device and the magnetic seed layer. The high radiation reflective layer helps to maintain the TMR device temperature during transportation between processing chambers. Additionally, the high radiation reflective layer decreases the resistance area (RA) of the TMR device while also increasing the magnetoresistance (MR) of the TMR device.

Abstract: A sensing device comprises a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors, at least one fluidic channel, and detection circuitry coupled to the MR sensors. Each MR sensor is configured to detect the presence of molecules (e.g., biologic molecules) labeled by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The sensors are encapsulated by an insulating material that protects the sensors from the contents of the at least one fluidic channel. The insulating material has a surface within the fluidic channel that provides sites for binding the molecules to be detected. The detection circuitry is configured to detect (a) a characteristic of magnetic noise of each MR sensor, the characteristic being influenced by a presence or absence of one or more MNPs at each site, or (b) a change in resistance, current, and/or voltage drop of each MR sensor, wherein the change is influenced by the presence or absence of one or more MNPs at each site.

Abstract: A data storage device includes at least one head supported by an actuator arm. The at least one head interacts with the at least one data storage disc when positioned over the at least one data storage disc. The data storage device further includes a split ramp for supporting the at least one head when the at least one head is moved away from the at least one data storage disc. The split ramp has a first ramp portion adjacent to a first outer diameter (OD) of the at least one data storage disc and a second ramp portion adjacent to the first ramp portion, such that the first ramp portion is between the second ramp portion and the first OD. At least one of the first ramp portion or the second ramp portion is independently moveable.

Abstract: Provided are a magnetic tape including: a non-magnetic support; and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, in which a total thickness of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 5.30 ?m, the magnetic layer has a servo pattern, a center line average surface roughness Ra measured on a surface of the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 1.8 nm, and an absolute value ?N of a difference between a refractive index Nxy of the magnetic layer, measured in an in-plane direction and a refractive index Nz of the magnetic layer, measured in a thickness direction is 0.25 to 0.40, a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape apparatus including this magnetic tape, a magnetic tape cartridge and a magnetic tape apparatus including this magnetic tape.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally related to read heads having dual free layer (DFL) sensors. The read head has a sensor disposed between two shields. The sensor is a DFL sensor and has a surface at the media facing surface (MFS). Behind the DFL sensor, and away from the MFS, is a rear hard bias (RHB) structure. The RHB structure is disposed between the shields as well. In between the DFL sensor and the RHB structure is insulating material. The RHB is disposed on the insulating material. The RHB includes a RHB seed layer as well as a RHB bulk layer. The RHB seed layer has a thickness of between 26 Angstroms and 35 Angstroms. The RHB seed layer ensures the read head has a strong RHB magnetic field that can be uniformly applied.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a magnetic pole, a first shield, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a third magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer, a third intermediate layer, and a fourth intermediate layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the magnetic pole and the first shield. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the first shield. The third magnetic layer is provided between the second magnetic layer and the first shield. The first intermediate layer is provided between the magnetic pole and the first magnetic layer. The second intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The third intermediate layer is provided between the second magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer. The fourth intermediate layer is provided between the third magnetic layer and the first shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to tape drives used for magnetic recording on tapes. Tape drives use tape heads that comprise a read head, a write head, and an additional head that may be a write head or a read head. The tape head is fabricated over a common substrate with the first head being formed first, followed by a shield layer, followed by the second head, followed by another shield layer, and finally followed by the third head. Fabricating the tape head over a common substrate is cost effective. The tape head can be wired such that fewer parallel connections between the heads and bond pads are present. As such, cross-talk between the wires and noise is reduced.