Patents by Inventor Bruce David Terris

Bruce David Terris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090226762
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, usable for either continuous or patterned media, has a recording layer structure (RLS) of first and second perpendicular magnetic layers (PM1, PM2) and an antiferromagnetically coupling (AFC) layer and a ferromagnetic switching layer (SWL) between PM1 and PM2. The magnetic recording system uses heat to assist in the reading and/or writing of data. The SWL is a Co/Ni multilayer with a Curie temperature (TC-SWL) less than the Curie temperatures of PM1 and PM2. At room temperature, there is ferromagnetic coupling between SWL and the upper ferromagnetic layer (PM2) so that the magnetizations of SWL and PM2 are parallel, and antiferromagnetic coupling between SWL and the lower ferromagnetic layer (PM1) across the AFC layer so that the magnetization of PM1 is aligned antiparallel to the magnetizations of SWL and PM2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Olav Hellwig, Bruce David Terris, Jan-Ulrich Thiele
  • Publication number: 20090116310
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for write enable and write inhibit for high density spin torque three dimensional (3D) memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS BV
    Inventors: Sylvia Helena Florez Marino, Liesl Folks, Bruce David Terris
  • Publication number: 20080292906
    Abstract: Magnetic medium recording performance can be enhanced by irradiating a magnetic medium with ions having an acceleration voltage of between 10 keV and 100 keV to induce exchange coupling between grains of the magnetic medium. The magnetic medium is exposed to a cumulative ion dosage of between 1013 ions/cm2 and 1017 ions/cm2 using a non-patterned exposure of the magnetic medium. The ions can be selected from the group consisting of H+, He+, Ne+, Ar+, Kr+, and Xe+. Alternatively, the ions can be selected from the group consisting of Ga+, Hg+, and In+.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Charles Thomas Rettner, Bruce David Terris, Thomas Thomson
  • Patent number: 7425353
    Abstract: Magnetic medium recording performance can be enhanced by irradiating a magnetic medium with ions having an acceleration voltage of between 10 keV and 100 keV to induce exchange coupling between grains of the magnetic medium. The magnetic medium is exposed to a cumulative ion dosage of between 1013 ions/cm2 and 1017 ions/cm2 using a non-patterned exposure of the magnetic medium. The ions can be selected from the group consisting of H+, He+, Ne+, Ar+, Kr+, and Xe+. Alternatively, the ions can be selected from the group consisting of Ga+, Hg+, and In+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Charles Thomas Rettner, Bruce David Terris, Thomas Thomson
  • Publication number: 20080145951
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a three dimensional memory array having a plurality of memory elements coupled to form the array through a single top lead and a single bottom lead, each memory element including a magnetic free layer in which non-volatile data can be stored, wherein each memory element possesses unique resonant frequencies associated with each digital memory state, thereby enabling frequency addressing during parallel write and read operations, each memory element further including a fixed layer and a spacer formed between the free layer and the fixed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Liesl Folks, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 7379321
    Abstract: Memory cell structures make use of the extraordinary Hall effect (EHE) for increased data storage capacity. A memory cell has a ferromagnetic structure which includes at least a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a spacer layer in between the first and the second ferromagnetic layers. The first and the second ferromagnetic layers exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and have magnetic moments which are set in accordance with one of a plurality of magnetic orientation sets of the ferromagnetic structure, and the ferromagnetic structure exhibits one of a plurality of predetermined extraordinary Hall resistances RH in accordance with the magnetic orientation set. The extraordinary Hall resistance is exhibited between first and second ends of the ferromagnetic structure across a path which intersects a bias current path between third and fourth ends of the ferromagnetic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Dafine Ravelosona, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 7068453
    Abstract: A thermally-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a write pole tip for generating a magnetic write field in the perpendicular magnetic recording layer, a magnetic shield that confines the write field essentially to the data track to be recorded, an electrically resistive heater for heating the recording layer in the presence of the write field, and a return pole. The write pole tip width essentially defines data track width and is substantially surrounded by the magnetic shield. The shield may include side shields with ends located on opposite sides of the write pole tip and a trailing shield having an end spaced from the write pole tip. The resistive heater is wider than the data track and heats both the data track and adjacent tracks, but thermally-assisted magnetic recording occurs only in the data track because the confined magnetic field in the adjacent tracks is less than the required write field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce David Terris, Jan-Ulrich Thiele
  • Patent number: 6947235
    Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium has magnetic islands that contain stacks of individual magnetic cells to provide multilevel recording. Each cell in an island is formed of a material or set of materials to provide the cell with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and is a single magnetic domain. Each cell is magnetically decoupled from the other cells in its island by nonmagnetic spacer layers. Thus each cell can have a magnetization (magnetic moment) in one of two directions (into or out of the plane of the layer making up the cell), and this magnetization is independent of the magnetization of the other cells in its island. This permits multiple magnetic levels or states to be recorded in each magnetic island.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Olav Hellwig, Guohan Hu, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6937421
    Abstract: An information recording system includes a storage medium, such as a magnetic or an optical medium, that is formed to have a plurality of adjacent tracks. Each track includes a plurality of storage elements that are arranged substantially along the track in a regular manner. A head disposed in proximity to the storage medium and has a width that spans at least two adjacent tracks. The storage elements are further arranged substantially along first and second axes, such that the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to each other and are each substantially oriented 45° from an along-track direction associated with a track. The head reads and/or writes information from at least two adjacent tracks spanned by the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Alan Rubin, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6906879
    Abstract: A magnetic recording system, such as a magnetic recording disk drive, uses a patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium where each magnetic block or island contains a stack of individual magnetic cells to provide multilevel recording. Each cell in an island is formed of a material or set of materials to provide the cell with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and is a single magnetic domain. Each cell is magnetically decoupled from the other cells in its island by nonmagnetic spacer layers. Thus each cell can have a magnetization (magnetic moment) in one of two directions (into or out of the plane of the layer making up the cell), and this magnetization is independent of the magnetization of the other cells in its island, This permits multiple magnetic levels or states to be recorded in each magnetic island.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Olav Hellwig, Guohan Hu, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6884632
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor can be shaped using ion beam irradiation and/or implantation through a mask introduced between a MR structure and an ion source. The mask covers selected portions of the MR structure to define the track width of the sensor. Ion irradiation and/or implantation reduces the magnetoresistance of the unmasked portions while leaving the masked portion substantially unaltered. The mask can be a photoresist mask, an electron beam resist mask, or a stencil mask. Alternatively the mask may be part of a projection ion beam system. Track width resolution is determined at the mask production step. The edges of the sensor can be defined by a highly collimated ion beam producing an extremely straight transition edge, which reduces sensor noise and improves sensor track width control. Improved hard bias layers that directly abut the sensor may be used to achieve a suitable stability. A variety of longitudinal bias schemes are compatible with ion beam patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Eric Baglin, Liesl Folks, Bruce Alvin Gurney, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6882488
    Abstract: A magnetic recording method uses a patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium where each magnetic block or island contains a stack of individual magnetic cells to providing multilevel recording. Each cell in an island is formed of a material or set of materials to provide the cell with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and is a single magnetic domain. Each cell is magnetically decoupled from the other cells in its island by nonmagnetic spacer layers. Thus each cell can have a magnetization (magnetic moment) in one of two directions (into or out of the plane of the layer making up the cell), and this magnetization is independent of the magnetization of the other cells in its island. This permits multiple magnetic levels or states to be recorded in each magnetic island.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Olav Hellwig, Guohan Hu, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6865044
    Abstract: A method for magnetic recording uses a fixed write current with thermal assistance to record on a patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The patterned medium has magnetic blocks or islands, each of which contains a stack of individual magnetic cells to provide multilevel recording. Each cell in an island is formed of a material or set of materials to provide the cell with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and is a single magnetic domain. Each cell is magnetically decoupled from the other cells in its island by nonmagnetic spacer layers. Thus each cell can have a magnetization (magnetic moment) in one of two directions (into or out of the plane of the layer making up the cell), and this magnetization is independent of the magnetization of the other cells in its island. This permits multiple magnetic levels or states to be recorded in each magnetic island.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Albrecht, Olav Hellwig, Guohan Hu, Bruce David Terris
  • Publication number: 20040157346
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor can be shaped using ion beam irradiation and/or implantation through a mask introduced between a MR structure and an ion source. The mask covers selected portions of the MR structure to define the track width of the sensor. Ion irradiation and/or implantation reduces the magnetoresistance of the unmasked portions while leaving the masked portion substantially unaltered. The mask can be a photoresist mask, an electron beam resist mask, or a stencil mask. Alternatively the mask may be part of a projection ion beam system. Track width resolution is determined at the mask production step. The edges of the sensor can be defined by a highly collimated ion beam producing an extremely straight transition edge, which reduces sensor noise and improves sensor track width control. Improved hard bias layers that directly abut the sensor may be used to achieve a suitable stability. A variety of longitudinal bias schemes are compatible with ion beam patterning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: John Edward Eric Baglin, Liesl Folks, Bruce Alvin Gurney, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6741429
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor can be shaped using ion beam irradiation and/or implantation through a mask introduced between a MR structure and an ion source. The mask covers selected portions of the MR structure to define the track width of the sensor. Ion irradiation and/or implantation reduces the magnetoresistance of the unmasked portions while leaving the masked portion substantially unaltered. The mask can be a photoresist mask, an electron beam resist mask, or a stencil mask. Alternatively the mask may be part of a projection ion beam system. Track width resolution is determined at the mask production step. The edges of the sensor can be defined by a highly collimated ion beam producing an extremely straight transition edge, which reduces sensor noise and improves sensor track width control. Improved hard bias layers that directly abut the sensor may be used to achieve a suitable stability. A variety of longitudinal bias schemes are compatible with ion beam patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Eric Baglin, Liesl Folks, Bruce Alvin Gurney, Bruce David Terris
  • Publication number: 20030133213
    Abstract: An information recording system includes a storage medium, such as a magnetic or an optical medium, that is formed to have a plurality of adjacent tracks. Each track includes a plurality of storage elements that are arranged substantially along the track in a regular manner. A head disposed in proximity to the storage medium and has a width that spans at least two adjacent tracks. The storage elements are further arranged substantially along first and second axes, such that the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to each other and are each substantially oriented 45° from an along-track direction associated with a track. The head reads and/or writes information from at least two adjacent tracks spanned by the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Alan Rubin, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6440520
    Abstract: A method for making a patterned magnetic recording disk uses patterned ion implantation of the disk substrate. Energetic ions, such as He, N or Ar ions, are directed to the disk substrate through a mask, preferably a non-contact mask. They are implanted into the substrate, and the process causes localized topographic distortions in the substrate surface. A magnetic layer is then deposited over the substrate in the conventional manner, such as by sputtering. The result is a disk with patterned magnetic regions that are raised above the substrate surface. Because these regions are elevated, they are closer to the recording head in the disk drive and can thus be individually recorded to form discrete magnetic bits. Depending on the type of substrate used, the ion implantation can cause either localized swelling to form pillars or localized compaction to form pits. The patches of magnetic material on the tops of the pillars, or on the substrate surface between the pits, form the discrete magnetic bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, University of New Orleans Foundation
    Inventors: John Edward Eric Baglin, Mark Whitney Hart, Andrew John Kellock, Bruce David Terris, Koichi Wago, Dieter Klaus Weller, Liesl Folks
  • Patent number: 6421195
    Abstract: A magnetic disk medium patterned linear magnetic channels in a radial direction of the disk is employed in a magnetic disk drive unit. The magnetic channels are patterned by high-resolution patterning techniques and are separated by channel boundaries to reduce magnetic coupling between the magnetic channel. The lithographically determined magnetic channel widths are matched with the head width to optimize the storage capability of the disk drive unit. The magnetic medium is further patterned into spatially modulated sections that provide for an inherent servo-signal that reduces or eliminates the need for pre-recorded servo data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Alan Rubin, Bruce David Terris
  • Patent number: 6391430
    Abstract: A magnetic recording disk is patterned into discrete magnetic and nonmagnetic regions with the magnetic regions serving as the magnetic recording data bits. The magnetic recording layer comprises two ferromagnetic films separated by a nonferromagnetic spacer film. The spacer film material composition and thickness is selected such that the first and second ferromagnetic films are antiferromagnetically coupled across the spacer film. After this magnetic recording layer has been formed on the disk substrate, ions are irradiated onto it through a patterned mask. The ions disrupt the spacer film and thereby destroy the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two ferromagnetic films. As a result, in the regions of the magnetic recording layer that are ion-irradiated the first and second ferromagnetic films are essentially ferromagnetically coupled so that the magnetic moments from the ferromagnetic films are parallel and produce a magnetic moment that is essentially the sum of the moments from the two films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Edward Fullerton, Bruce David Terris, Dieter Klaus Weller
  • Patent number: RE40726
    Abstract: A magnetic recording disk is patterned into discrete magnetic and nonmagnetic regions with the magnetic regions serving as the magnetic recording data bits. The magnetic recording layer comprises two ferromagnetic films separated by a nonferromagnetic spacer film. The spacer film material composition and thickness is selected such that the first and second ferromagnetic films are antiferromagnetically coupled across the spacer film. After this magnetic recording layer has been formed on the disk substrate, ions are irradiated onto it through a patterned mask. The ions disrupt the spacer film and thereby destroy the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two ferromagnetic films. As a result, in the regions of the magnetic recording layer that are ion-irradiated the first and second ferromagnetic films are essentially ferromagnetically coupled so that the magnetic moments from the ferromagnetic films are parallel and produce a magnetic moment that is essentially the sum of the moments from the two films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Edward Fullerton, Bruce David Terris, Dieter Klaus Weller