Abstract: This invention presents a method and structure for magnetic spin valves. The spin valve structure includes a first ferromagnetic layer separated from a second ferromagnetic layer by a non-magnetic layer. The spin valve structure also includes a first specular scattering layer separated from a second specular scattering layer by the first ferromagnetic layer, the non-magnetic layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer can include a free layer and the non-magnetic layer can include a spacer layer. The second ferromagnetic layer can include a pinned layer or a reference layer. The specular scattering layers can include a material such as Y2O3, HfO2, MgO, Al2O3, NiO, Fe2O3, and Fe3O4. The specular scattering layers can also be used in a SAF structure. In the SAF structure, the antiferromagnetic coupling material can be co-deposited with the second specular scattering layer.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for reproducing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium senses an external magnetic field using a spin-filtered sensor current flowing through a non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head reproduces information recorded on a recording medium with high recording density, suppressing generation of Barkhausen noise. A magnetoresistive effect element in the head is a flat multi-layer film in which a free magnetic layer is set to a lowest layer. The head also includes a non-magnetic substrate, an insulating layer contacting a center portion of a lower surface of a substrate side of the free magnetic layer, and a pair of electrode layers. The electrode layers are formed with the insulating layer in between, contacting both edge portions of the free magnetic layer. The electrodes are formed with the same surface height as the surface height of the insulating layer. A pair of magnetic wall control layers suppress movement of a magnetic wall of the free magnetic layer.

Abstract: A disc apparatus includes a turntable having surface on which a disc is to be placed and being rotatable around a rotation axis; a disc holding mechanism which can be in a first state of holding the disc on the turntable so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis and a second state which is different from the first state; a first contact member; and a moving mechanism for relatively moving the first contact member and the turntable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A half metallic phase iron oxide (Fe3O4) layer is employed in either or both of a pinned layer structure and a free layer structure in a spin valve sensor for filtering minority electrons and reflecting majority electrons with respect to a spin scattering region for increasing the magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R of a spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly includes first and second pole pieces and first and second coil layers wherein the second pole piece has a ferromagnetic pole tip which forms a portion of an air bearing surface and defines a track width of a write head. A write gap layer is located between the first pole piece and the pole tip. A dielectric first insulation layer interfaces first and second side surfaces of the pole tip and is located between the first and second coil layers. The second pole piece has a ferromagnetic second pole piece structure which is magnetically connected to each of the pole tip and the first pole piece and extends across the second coil layer. In a first embodiment the second pole piece structure is a single layer and in a second embodiment the second pole piece structure has front and back components with a flat laminated second pole piece yoke layer located therebetween.

Abstract: An optical tape transport system including an optical head, tape transport structure and a focus stabilizer element including the stabilizer element including a cylindrical surface section supports the full width of the tape; the stabilizer element being disposed on the opposite side of the tape from the optical head; the optical axis of the optical head being perpendicular to the stabilizer surface at the point of intersection between the optical axis and the stabilizer surface; the tape being supported at the stabilizer surface by an air film; and the air film thickness at the point of intersection being in the range 1-50 &mgr;m while the tape is transported for reading or writing.

Abstract: A slider body configuration, or slider, for carrying a data transducer in cooperative relationship with a rotating data storage disc. The slider includes a plurality of landing pads which serve to minimize the contact area between the slider and the discs when the heads are parked in contact with the discs, and the landing pads project from surfaces which are farther removed from the disc surface than the air bearing surfaces, thus minimizing the size and strength of any liquid miniscus formed between the slider and the disc when the slider and disc are in contact. By recessing the bases of the landing pads from the air bearing surfaces, the effect of the landing pads on the separation between the data transducer and the discs is minimized.

Abstract: A cartridge includes upper and lower half segments butting against each other and containing a disk, a shutter provided on one side of the cartridge half segments for exposing or alternatively enclosing the disk, and a torsion spring attached to the shutter for biasing the shutter in a closing direction. An insertion opening is formed in a side portion of the cartridge for permitting insertion of the torsion spring therethrough from outside, and a protective wall is provided upright between the insertion opening and the disk to define a space by the wall and the upper half segment. The space is so sized as to permit the torsion spring to pass therethrough while leaving a small clearance, with legs thereof directed laterally.

Abstract: A method and structure for providing a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) element is disclosed. The method and structure include providing a TMR layer that includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first insulating layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The method and structure also include providing a first material and a protective layer. The first material allows electrical contact to be made to the tunneling magnetoresistive layer and is disposed above the tunneling magnetoresistive layer. The first material is capable of being undercut by an plasma etch without exposing a portion of the tunneling magnetoresistive layer under a remaining portion of the first material. The second protective layer covers a portion of the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor and a portion of the first material. In one aspect, the method and structure also include providing a second material disposed between the tunneling magnetoresistive layer and the first material.

Abstract: A disc changer apparatus includes a disc table, reproducing device, a first tray, a second tray, containing device, and movement device. The first tray carries a disc mounted thereon between a loading position at which a disc is loaded and a mounting position at which a disc is mounted on the disc table and between the disc mounting position and a containing position at which a disc is contained. The second tray is engaged with the first tray, to carry the first tray between the disc loading position and the disc mounting position. The containing device stacks and contains the first trays in a stacking direction substantially perpendicular to principal planes of discs mounted on the first trays. The moving device moves at least one of the first trays contained in the containing device in one direction based on the stacking direction, to form a containing space for containing the first tray located at the disc mounting position on the side, opposed to the side of the one direction, of the containing device.

Abstract: An information recording medium reproducing system has an insertion opening, a recording medium storing portion and a medium carrying device. Photodetectors are provided for detecting passing of the recording medium and for producing a passing signal when the medium passes. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the medium carrying device. The controller applies a discharge signal to the medium carrying device when the passing signal is not produced within a predetermined time, whereby the medium carrying device is actuated in discharge operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disk drive that includes a head disk assembly on a base plate, a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the head disk assembly, and a printed circuit board fastened beneath the head disk assembly. The printed circuit board has a port connector at one end of the board opposite an end having power and signal connectors.

Abstract: A medium attaching device for attaching and holding a disk to and releasing the disk from a turntable of a disk device. A plurality of holding/releasing devices are arranged radially around a center hub of the turntable. Each holding/releasing device includes a clamp member of generally crescent form having a holding section and a releasing section located on opposite sides with respect to a swivel center. When the disk is transferred to a predetermined position of the disk device, the clamp members are swiveled around the swivel center to either attach and hold the disk to the turntable, or raise the disk to a position above the turntable and hence to release the disk therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic or other disk drive device includes a base having an opening through which electrical signal lines in a cable pass. The signal lines are preferably in a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The opening is sealed by adhesively securing a cover to the base around the periphery of the opening, either directly or indirectly. In one embodiment, the cover is secured directly to the base, except of course where it crosses signal lines, while in other embodiments the FPC is secured directly to the base and the cover is secured to the FPC. In the latter embodiments, a portion of the FPC extends around the periphery of the opening, and the signal lines pass through the opening. Double sided adhesive tape may be used to secure the FPC to the base, if desired.

Abstract: A method for minimizing unbalance in the disc pack of a disc drive where the unbalance of the spindle motor is quantified and incorporated into the biasing assembly of the disc pack. In the assembly process, the discs are biased in a manner such that the unbalance of the spindle motor is considered.

Abstract: An exchange coupling film has an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, and a seed layer provided on the side of the antiferromagnetic layer 4 opposite to the pinned magnetic layer. The seed layer has a crystalline structure constituted mainly by face-centered cubic crystals with (111) planes substantially aligned. The seed layer is preferably non-magnetic. A laminate structure including the antiferromagnetic layer and a free layer inclusive of the intervening layers have crystalline orientations with their (111) planes substantially aligned, so that large crystal grains and, hence, large ratio of resistance variation can be achieved.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for an optical media disk includes an oxygen impermeable base and an oxygen impermeable cover layer superposed on the base. The base includes a central portion thereof spaced from the cover layer to form an enclosing chamber for the disk. The cover layer is sealed to the base by a circular seal defining a periphery of the enclosing chamber.

Abstract: A disk device includes a chassis base, at least one disk rotatably supported on the chassis base, at least one carriage arm pivotable about an axis on one end and, at the other end, having a slider with a read/write head and a load bar extending from the slider, a ramp member attached to the chassis base at a position outside the disk, the ramp member having a guiding part and a parking part, and an actuator for driving the carriage arm between a loaded position in which the slider is held above the disk and an unloaded position in which the load bar rests on the parking part of the ramp member. The ramp member is provided with cleaning structure for removing powder attached to the load bar as the load bar moves along the parking part.

Abstract: The density of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the density of a magnetic disc medium protective layer. Also, the Young's modulus of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the Young's modulus of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. Furthermore, the thickness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer is set to be between 1 and 10 nm, and the hardness of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be between 1.5 and 2.0 times the hardness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. It is thus possible to provide a highly reliable magnetic disc apparatus.