Patents by Inventor Bruce Gurney

Bruce Gurney 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).

  • Patent number: 10347281
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing areal density in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) data storage systems by controlling the media layer grain size, grain size distribution, and pitch via templating techniques that are compatible with the high temperature HAMR media deposition. Embodiments include using current HAMR media seed layers as well as additionally introduced interlayers for the templating process. Topographic as well as chemical templating methods are disclosed that may employ nanoimprint technology or nanoparticle self-assembly among other patterning techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hitesh Arora, Bruce Gurney, Olav Hellwig, Jodi Mari Iwata, Tiffany Suzanne Santos, Dieter K. Weller, Frank Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180226096
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Jun CHEN, NICHOLAS R. CONLEY, BRUCE A. GURNEY, RICARDO RUIZ, LEI WAN, QING ZHU
  • Patent number: 9966096
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Nicholas R. Conley, Bruce A. Gurney, Ricardo Ruiz, Lei Wan, Qing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160358622
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing areal density in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) data storage systems by controlling the media layer grain size, grain size distribution, and pitch via templating techniques that are compatible with the high temperature HAMR media deposition. Embodiments include using current HAMR media seed layers as well as additionally introduced interlayers for the templating process. Topographic as well as chemical templating methods are disclosed that may employ nanoimprint technology or nanoparticle self-assembly among other patterning techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Hitesh Arora, Bruce GURNEY, Olav HELLWIG, Jodi Mari IWATA, Tiffany Suzanne SANTOS, Dieter K. WELLER, Frank ZHU
  • Patent number: 9444036
    Abstract: A segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell and a method for implementing the segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell for use in Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are provided. The segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell includes a first conductor M1 and a second conductor M2 with the second conductor M2 surrounded by the first conductor M1. The first conductor M1 is formed of a segregated magnetic media material defining multiple domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Bruce Gurney
  • Publication number: 20160140991
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Nicholas R. Conley, Bruce A. Gurney, Ricardo Ruiz, Lei Wan, Qing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160140994
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: depositing a plurality of nanoparticles on a substrate; and forming a monolayer of the nanoparticles on the substrate via self-assembly, where each of the nanoparticles comprises a nanoparticle core grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a method includes: depositing a plurality of nanoparticles on a substrate; and forming a monolayer of the nanoparticles on the substrate via self-assembly, where the nanoparticles each comprise a nanoparticle core grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, each of the polymers and/or oligomers including a first terminal functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles, and an optional second terminal functional group configured to bind to the substrate, where the substrate comprises guiding features configured to direct the self-assembly of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Nicholas R. Conley, Bruce A. Gurney, Ricardo Ruiz, Lei Wan, Qing Zhu
  • Patent number: 9305571
    Abstract: A magnetic disk according to one embodiment includes a recording layer; and a layer of graphene formed above the recording layer. A nucleation layer may be formed between the recording layer and the graphene layer in some approaches. A magnetic device according to another embodiment includes a transducer; a nucleation layer formed above the transducer; and a layer of graphene formed on the nucleation layer. A method according to one embodiment includes forming a nucleation layer above a magnetic layer of a magnetic disk or magnetic device; and forming a layer of graphene on the nucleation layer. A method according to another embodiment includes depositing SiC above a magnetic layer of a magnetic disk or magnetic device, the SiC being equivalent to several monolayers thick; and surface heating the SiC to selectively evaporate some of the Si from the SiC for forming a layer of graphene on a SiC layer. Additional products and methods are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Gurney, Ernesto E. Marinero, Simone Pisana
  • Publication number: 20150248909
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a structure includes a substrate; an epitaxial seed layer positioned above the substrate, the epitaxial seed layer including a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the epitaxial seed layer, where the epitaxial seed layer has a crystallographic orientation substantially along an axis perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Gurney, En Yang, Qing Zhu
  • Patent number: 9030783
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed generally relate to a read device in a magnetic recording head. The read device uses parametric excitation to injection lock the STO to an external AC signal with a frequency that is two times the resonance frequency, or more. The field from the media acting on the STO causes a change in the phase between the STO output and the external locking signal, which can be monitored using a phase detection circuit. The injection locking improves the STO signal to noise ratio and simplifies the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Samir Y. Garzon, Bruce A. Gurney, Keyu Pi, Rehan A. Zakai, Jian Zhu
  • Patent number: 8902544
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a first shield; a spin torque oscillator (STO) sensor positioned above the first shield, the STO sensor comprising a reference layer and a free layer positioned above the reference layer; and at least one shield positioned in a plane that is parallel with a media-facing surface of the STO sensor, the plane also intersecting the STO sensor, wherein one or more of the at least one shield comprises a highly magnetically permeable material that is exchange decoupled and electrically decoupled from the STO sensor. Other magnetic heads, systems, and methods for producing the magnetic heads are described according to more embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Bruce A. Gurney, Yang Li
  • Publication number: 20140168812
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a first shield; a spin torque oscillator (STO) sensor positioned above the first shield, the STO sensor comprising a reference layer and a free layer positioned above the reference layer; and at least one shield positioned in a plane that is parallel with a media-facing surface of the STO sensor, the plane also intersecting the STO sensor, wherein one or more of the at least one shield comprises a highly magnetically permeable material that is exchange decoupled and electrically decoupled from the STO sensor. Other magnetic heads, systems, and methods for producing the magnetic heads are described according to more embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Bruce A. Gurney, Yang Li
  • Patent number: 8587900
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a nanowire in a wire assisted magnetic recording head using a radiator in close proximity to a shield of the write pole. The radiator may further contain current restraints (e.g., slits, cuts, or resistive materials) that maximize current density in the nanowire at a location that corresponds to the current restraints. These current restraints may be further arranged to align with a write pole such that the current is forced to flow primarily through the nanowire when the nanowire is closest to the write pole. The nanowire may then be used either as main or auxiliary writing element for recording signals to a high coercivity media. Moreover, the nanowire and radiator may be combined into a single nanofoil which has a least two portions that perform a similar function as both the nanowire and radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Bruce A. Gurney, Lidu Huang, Vijay P. S. Rawat, Petrus A. Van Der Heijden
  • Patent number: 8587897
    Abstract: A device for sensing a magnetic field is described. The device comprises first, second and third leads and a junction between the leads. The junction and leads are arranged in a plane and the junction is configured to exhibit quantum confinement in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The first lead is arranged on one side of the junction and the second and third leads are arranged on an opposite side of the junction. The first lead is configured to limit angle of spread of charge carriers entering the junction so that, when charge carriers flow into the junction from the first lead, the charge carriers form a substantially nondivergent beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Aleksey Andreev, David Williams, Ernesto E. Marinero, Bruce A. Gurney, Thomas D. Boone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8432644
    Abstract: A spin torque oscillator device having a magnetic free layer with a magnetic anisotropy that has a component that is oriented perpendicular to a direction of an applied magnetic field. The spin torque oscillator device includes a magnetic reference layer, a magnetic free layer and a non-magnetic layer sandwiched there-between. A component of the magnetic anisotropy of the free layer can be oriented perpendicular to a magnetization of the reference layer, and this orientation relative to the magnetization of the reference layer can be either in lieu of or in addition to its orientation relative to the applied magnetic field. The magnetic anisotropy cants the magnetization of the free layer which would otherwise be oriented antiparallel with the magnetization of the reference layer. The magnetic anisotropy in the free layer improves performance of the spin torque sensor by reducing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Bruce A. Gurney
  • Publication number: 20120301746
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a nanowire in a wire assisted magnetic recording head using a radiator in close proximity to a shield of the write pole. The radiator may further contain current restraints (e.g., slits, cuts, or resistive materials) that maximize current density in the nanowire at a location that corresponds to the current restraints. These current restraints may be further arranged to align with a write pole such that the current is forced to flow primarily through the nanowire when the nanowire is closest to the write pole. The nanowire may then be used either as main or auxiliary writing element for recording signals to a high coercivity media. Moreover, the nanowire and radiator may be combined into a single nanofoil which has a least two portions that perform a similar function as both the nanowire and radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Bruce A. Gurney, Lidu Huang, Petrus A. Van Der Heijden
  • Patent number: 8164861
    Abstract: A spin torque magnetoresistive sensor having a very small gap thickness. The sensor operates by measuring the change in frequency of a spin torque induced magnetic oscillation in magnetic layers of the sensor to detect the presence of a magnetic field. The sensor includes a pair of free magnetic layers that are antiparallel coupled by a thin non-magnetic coupling layer there-between. The sensor does not include a pinned layer structure nor an associated AFM pinning layer, which allows the sensor to be constructed much thinner than prior art sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Bruce A. Gurney
  • Patent number: 8059373
    Abstract: Magnetic sensing chips and methods of fabricating the magnetic sensing chips are disclosed. A magnetic sensing chip as described herein includes an EMR sensor formed on a substrate from multiple semiconductor layers. One or more of the semiconductor layers form a quantum well comprising a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) or hole gas (2DHG). The magnetic sensing chip also includes one or more transistors formed on the substrate from the multiple semiconductor layers. The transistor(s) likewise include a quantum well comprising a 2DEG or 2DHG. The EMR sensor and the transistor(s) are connected by one or more connections so that the transistor(s) amplifies data signals from the EMR sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Liesl Folks, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Bruce A. Gurney, Klaas B. Klaassen, Stefan Maat
  • Publication number: 20110151278
    Abstract: A magnetic disk according to one embodiment includes a recording layer; and a layer of graphene formed above the recording layer. A nucleation layer may be formed between the recording layer and the graphene layer in some approaches. A magnetic device according to another embodiment includes a transducer; a nucleation layer formed above the transducer; and a layer of graphene formed on the nucleation layer. A method according to one embodiment includes forming a nucleation layer above a magnetic layer of a magnetic disk or magnetic device; and forming a layer of graphene on the nucleation layer. A method according to another embodiment includes depositing SiC above a magnetic layer of a magnetic disk or magnetic device, the SiC being equivalent to several monolayers thick; and surface heating the SiC to selectively evaporate some of the Si from the SiC for forming a layer of graphene on a SiC layer. Additional products and methods are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce A. Gurney, Ernesto E. Marinero, Simone Pisana
  • Publication number: 20110141629
    Abstract: A spin torque magnetoresistive sensor having a very small gap thickness. The sensor operates by measuring the change in frequency of a spin torque induced magnetic oscillation in magnetic layers of the sensor to detect the presence of a magnetic field. The sensor includes a pair of free magnetic layers that are antiparallel coupled by a thin non-magnetic coupling layer there-between. The sensor does not include a pinned layer structure nor an associated AFM pinning layer, which allows the sensor to be constructed much thinner than prior art sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick M. Braganca, Bruce A. Gurney