Abstract: A data storage medium having a seed structure formed of a first seed layer comprising a nickel alloy NiY, where Y is an element selected from Al, B, Fe, Nb, W, and Co, and a second seed layer represented by NiWAX, where A is an element selected from Al, B, Fe, Nb, and Co, and X is either B, Si, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Ru, or an oxide, with the second seed layer being disposed on the first seed layer; and a magnetic recording layer above the seed structure. In addition, a method for manufacturing a data storage medium containing the aforementioned seed structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive material based on cobalt ferrite is described. The cobalt ferrite is substituted with transition metals (such manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) or mixtures thereof) by substituting the transition metals for iron or cobalt to form substituted cobalt ferrite that provides mechanical properties that make the substituted cobalt ferrite material effective for use as sensors and actuators. The substitution of transition metals lowers the Curie temperature of the material (as compared to cobalt ferrite) while maintaining a suitable magnetostriction for stress sensing applications.

Abstract: Channel equalization is performed by selecting an equalizer from a set of equalizers that have a common frequency response with the differences in the equalizers being able to be characterized by different values of a single variable. Selecting from a set of equalizers reduces the problem of training an equalizer to a one-dimensional optimization process. Specifically, the selection of the equalizer from the set is done through an optimization process in which a performance measure such as the signal-noise-ratio is maximized, or, as an alternative embodiment, some error measurements such as the power of the timing error signal is minimized. The set of equalizers may be generated from a root equalizer that has been already trained to compensate for a channel characteristic such that the set of equalizers all have the same frequency response, but have different group delays.

Abstract: A simple test device for protection against chemical permeation is disclosed. It includes a test chamber, a solvent sample cup, upper and lower fixing plates, upper and lower gaskets, an air filtering apparatus, a gas diffusing pan and a number of screws. By means of a sensor and related control circuit, the permeation time of gloves and protection wears in a specific solvent is indicated.