Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic tunnel junction device having a reference layer, a free layer, and a tunnel barrier layer between the free and reference layers. The tunnel barrier layer is primarily crystalline alumina. In another general embodiment, a method includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a tunnel barrier layer above the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer above the tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer includes crystalline alumina. The tunnel barrier layer is formed at a temperature of less than 100 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes an air bearing surface, a magnetic core including a main magnetic pole and a write shield arranged to face the main magnetic pole with a write gap, a coil, and a high-frequency oscillator provided between the main magnetic pole and the write shield in the write gap. The magnetic core includes an opposite surface facing a film surface of the high-frequency oscillator, a magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer in which magnetic microparticles are dispersed. The nonmagnetic layer is provided outside the magnetic layer in at least a part of the opposite surface of the magnetic core.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes an array of magnetic transducers each having: a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor, shields for providing magnetic shielding, and a stabilizing layered structure between at least one of the shields and the sensor. The stabilizing layered structure includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer adjacent the antiferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiparallel coupling layer between the ferromagnetic layers. A magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer is opposite the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer. Each transducer also includes an electrical lead layer positioned between the sensor and the stabilizing layered structure and in electrical communication with the sensor. Each transducer also includes a spacer layer between the respective electrical lead layer and the stabilizing layered structure.

Abstract: A tape appliance with selectably always-leading head assemblies. The tape appliance includes a first tape head module, a second tape head module, and a tape guide assembly for guiding a tape past the first and second tape head modules such that the first tape head module is the leading module for both first and the reverse directions of longitudinal tape travel.

Abstract: A double pinned magnetoresistance element has a temporary ferromagnetic layer, two PtMn antiferromagnetic pinning layers, and two associated synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) pinned layer structures, the temporary ferromagnetic layer operable to improve annealing of the two PtMn antiferromagnetic pinning layers and the two associated SAFs to two different magnetic directions that are a relative ninety degrees apart.

Abstract: A unidirectional and bi-directional tape head with sub-ambient pressure cavities. The tape head is adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape. The tape head includes: a tape-bearing surface; a transducer area, having at least one transducer designed for reading and/or writing to the magnetic tape; and a cavity open on the tape-bearing surface adjacent to the transducer area that extends parallel to the transducer area and transversally to the longitudinal direction of circulation of the tape such that an opening of the cavity faces the tape in operation. The cavity is further dimensioned and arranged with respect to the transducer area to create, upon circulation of the tape in operation, sub-ambient pressure therein. The present invention allows for a very close tape-head spacing.

Abstract: A data reader may have an resonant tunnel structure disposed between first and second magnetic structures. The resonant tunnel structure can be configured with a spacer layer disposed between first and second barrier layers. The first barrier layer can have a first thickness that is smaller than a second thickness of the second barrier layers with the thicknesses each measured along a common plane to provide resonant tunneling for the data reader.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer is disclosed with a side shield separated from a write pole side by a gap layer at an air bearing surface (ABS) where the side shield has a first sidewall facing the write pole with an end at height (h1) from the ABS, and a second sidewall at height h1 that is parallel to the ABS. The write pole side is curved such that a first portion proximate to the ABS is at an angle of 0 to 40 degrees with respect to a center plane formed orthogonal to the ABS, and a second section proximate to a corner where the curved side connects with a flared main pole side is formed substantially parallel to the second sidewall. When h1 is 30-80 nm, and the corner is 80-150 nm from the ABS, overwrite is improved while cross-track field gradient is enhanced.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed hard disk drive (HDD) utilizes a laminated film seal to seal an HDD cover-to-base interface. The laminated film seal may be constructed of a heat sealant layer hermetically-coupled to and forming a seal with the base, a barrier layer which inhibits gas from escaping from inside the HDD, and a film surface protective layer which protects the heat sealant and barrier layers. Embodiments may include a heat sealant layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, a barrier layer comprising a metal such as aluminum, and a film surface protective layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed hard disk drive (HDD) utilizes a laminated film seal to seal an interface of an electrical feed-through connector and an HDD enclosure base. The laminated film seal may be constructed of a heat sealant layer that bonds with a surface of the base and a surface of the electrical connector, a barrier layer which inhibits gas from escaping from inside the HDD, and a film surface protective layer which protects the heat sealant and barrier layers. Embodiments may include a heat sealant layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, a barrier layer comprising a metal such as aluminum, and a film surface protective layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a current perpendicular to plane magnetic read transducer having a sensor and only a single magnetic shield. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic read transducer having a sensor, a first magnetic shield, and a second magnetic shield. A portion of the second magnetic shield aligned with the sensor in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross has a thickness along the intended direction that is about 50% or less than a thickness of a portion of the first magnetic shield aligned in the intended direction with the portion of the second magnetic shield.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes lapping an end of a section of a thin film wafer for polishing the end of the section, the section having a plurality of rows of transducers formed on a substrate. A bearing surface slot is formed in the polished end at a location that defines a tape bearing surface extending between the bearing surface slot and portions of the transducers exposed on the polished end. A row is sliced from the section, the row having the polished end and bearing surface slot.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed hard disk drive (HDD) utilizes a laminated film seal to seal an interface of an electrical flexible cable assembly and an HDD enclosure base. The laminated film seal may be constructed of a heat sealant layer that bonds with a surface of the base and a surface of the flex cable, a barrier layer which inhibits gas from escaping from inside the HDD, and a film surface protective layer which protects the heat sealant and barrier layers. Embodiments may include a heat sealant layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, a barrier layer comprising a metal such as aluminum, and a film surface protective layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole and a shield. The shield has a first opposing surface opposing the magnetic pole. The first opposing surface includes a first opposing portion. The magnetic pole and the first opposing portion overlap in a first direction from the magnetic pole toward the shield. The first opposing portion includes a first protrusion.

Abstract: [Object] To prevent the occurrence of stuck without increasing the number of components and also to restore thread engagement of a rack with a lead screw to a normal condition. [Solution] Provided is an optical pickup including: a light source; an objective lens; an optical element; and an optical element driving device.

Abstract: A data writer may be configured with at least a write pole continuously extending from an air bearing surface to a via. The write pole can contact at least one yoke that contacts the write pole. The write pole and yoke may each be disposed between and separated from a write coil that has a single turn and continuously extends to opposite sides of the write pole.

Abstract: Bits per inch (BPI) is increased, and faster risetime is achieved while adjacent track erasure (ATE) is maintained at an acceptable level by inserting a 10-12 kG magnetic (TS0) layer between a 19-24 kG hot seed layer and 16-19 kG magnetic layer in a trailing shield structure at the ABS. A back portion (TY0) of the 10-12 kG magnetic layer is formed in a back gap connection between a back portion of the 16-19 kG magnetic layer and a trailing side of the main pole layer. A front side of the TY0 layer is 1-2 microns from the ABS and thereby improves BPI and writer speed. Accordingly, throat height in the write head may be reduced to less than 500 nm and thereby enables better bit error rate (BER). The TS0 layer is responsible for maintaining clean ATE near a far side of the writer track.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection can be afforded to a data recording head in accordance with various embodiments. A data recording head may consist of a circuit having a preamp ground connected to a ground substrate via a ground trace. The ground trace can consist of a first leg connected to the ground substrate and a second leg with an open connection extending from a dice line.

Abstract: A case of a disk drive apparatus includes a housing in which a disk is accommodated, and a top cover arranged to close an opening of the housing. The top cover includes a top cover body and a flow control member. The top cover body is a plate-shaped member arranged to extend perpendicularly to a central axis. The flow control member is fixed to a lower surface of the top cover body. The flow control member includes a lower surface arranged axially opposite to at least a portion of an upper surface of the disk.