Patents by Inventor Calvin S. Lo

Calvin S. Lo 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).

  • SHORTING-RESISTANT CURRENT PERPENDICULAR TO PLANE SENSORS
    Publication number: 20170154642
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • Tape media kiss-contact read verification
    Patent number: 9666219
    Abstract: Determining quality metrics of a magnetic tape recording medium. A production module that includes a write element that writes magnetic transitions to the magnetic tape is substantially in constant physical engagement with the magnetic tape. A supplemental module that includes one or more read elements periodically physically engages the magnetic tape, and the read elements generate an electrical signal corresponding to transitions written to the magnetic recording medium by a write element. A computer receives information representative of the electrical signal and determines if a quality metric of the magnetic recording medium derived from the electrical signal is within a defined range. If the quality metric is not within the defined range, a defined action is performed by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Tak H. Wong, Xu Yan
  • Magnetic recording head having protected reader sensors and near zero recession writer poles
    Patent number: 9659583
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The first protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer. The second transducer is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. The second protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer. An extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer is not as great as an extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, W. Stanley Czarnecki, Philipp Herget, Calvin S. Lo
  • Module with coating for abrasion testing
    Patent number: 9659581
    Abstract: A module according to one embodiment includes a body having a tape bearing surface, and a coating on the tape bearing surface. The coating includes a bulk material and one or more sections of a second material at predetermined positions relative to the bulk material. The second material is constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of AlFeSil and Sendust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Magnetic head and system having offset arrays
    Patent number: 9607639
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes at least two modules, each of the modules having an array of transducers, wherein the at least two modules are fixed relative to each other, wherein an axis of each array is defined between opposite ends thereof, wherein the axes of the arrays are oriented about parallel to each other, wherein the array of a first of the modules is offset from the array of a second of the modules in a first direction parallel to the axis of the array of the second module such that the transducers of the first module are about aligned with the transducers of the second module in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross; and a mechanism for orienting the modules about an axis orthogonal to the plane in which the arrays reside to control a transducer pitch presented to a tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Philipp Herget, Calvin S. Lo
  • Current perpendicular-to-plane sensors having hard spacers
    Patent number: 9607635
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having a lower shield and an upper shield above the lower shield, the upper and lower shields providing magnetic shielding. A current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor is positioned between the upper and lower shields. An electrical lead layer is positioned between the sensor and one of the shields. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A spacer layer is positioned between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Magnetic head and system having offset arrays
    Patent number: 9595276
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least first and second modules, a mechanism for orienting the modules to control a transducer pitch presented to a tape, and a controller physically configured to determine a state of expansion of the tape based on a readback signal from the tape. Each of the modules have an array of transducers. The first and second modules are fixed relative to each other. The transducers of the first module are about aligned with the transducers of the second module in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross when longitudinal axes of the arrays are oriented at an angle greater than 0.2° relative to a line oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of tape travel. The controller is physically configured to control the mechanism for altering the angle of the modules away from the nominal angle based on the state of expansion of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Philipp Herget, Calvin S. Lo
  • Miniskirt tape head having quasi-statically tilted transducer arrays
    Patent number: 9576596
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head. The magnetic head has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion together providing a tape bearing surface. The first portion has an opening at least partially encircling the second portion. The second portion has two modules, each module having at least one array of transducers. Each module has a first outermost edge oriented orthogonally to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, and a second outermost edge opposite the first edge, the second edge being oriented at an angle between 0.2° and about 10° relative to a line oriented orthogonally to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • Durable coating for magnetic tape recording media
    Patent number: 9558776
    Abstract: A product such as a magnetic recording tape, according to one embodiment, includes a flexible magnetic media having a substrate, a magnetic recording layer having cobalt therein, and an at least partially polycrystalline coating above the magnetic recording layer. A product according to another embodiment includes a flexible magnetic media having a substrate, a magnetic recording layer having cobalt therein, and coating above the magnetic recording layer. The coating includes a ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Gary M. Decad, Calvin S. Lo
  • MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD HAVING PROTECTED READER SENSORS AND NEAR ZERO RECESSED WRITE POLES
    Publication number: 20170004849
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a substrate, read and write transducers positioned towards a media facing side of the module, and a closure. The write transducers include write poles having media facing sides with negative, zero or near-zero recession from a plane extending along the media facing side of a substrate of the module. The read transducers each have two shields. Media facing sides of the two shields are recessed a same amount from the plane, and are more recessed from the plane than the write poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo, Andrew C. Ting
  • ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE MAGNETIC SHIELD LAMINATE STRUCTURE FOR CONTACT RECORDING SENSOR
    Publication number: 20160379674
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic sensor structure, a magnetic shield having at least one laminate pair comprising a magnetic layer and an electrically nonconductive nonmagnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the sensor structure and the magnetic shield. In one embodiment, a deposition thickness of the nonconductive nonmagnetic layer in each laminate pair is about 10% or less of a total deposition thickness of the laminate pair. In another embodiment, a deposition thickness of the nonconductive nonmagnetic layer in each laminate pair is between about 1 and about 12 nanometers. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic shield has at least one second laminate pair, and a nonlaminated magnetic portion sandwiched between the at least one laminate pair and the at least one second laminate pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Andrew C. Ting
  • ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MAGNETIC SHIELD LAMINATE STRUCTURE FOR CONTACT RECORDING SENSOR
    Publication number: 20160379675
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic sensor structure, a magnetic shield having at least one laminate pair comprising a magnetic layer and an electrically conductive nonmagnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the sensor structure and the magnetic shield. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic tunnel junction sensor structure, and a magnetic shield having at least two laminate pairs, each pair comprising a magnetic layer and an electrically conductive nonmagnetic layer. A deposition thickness of the nonmagnetic layer in each laminate pair is about 10% or less of a total deposition thickness of the laminate pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Andrew C. Ting
  • HARDENING CHROMIUM OXIDE FILMS IN A MAGNETIC TAPE HEAD AND OTHER STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160372142
    Abstract: A chromium oxide film is formed at room temperature. The chromium oxide film has at least one partially polycrystalline portion and/or at least one amorphous portion depending upon the substrate(s) over which the chromium oxide film is formed. Partially polycrystalline portion(s) of the chromium oxide film are exposed, at room temperature, to an electron beam that has an accelerating voltage of at least 100 kilovolts to further crystallize the partially polycrystalline portion(s). Amorphous portion(s) of the chromium oxide film are exposed, at room temperature, to an electron beam that has an accelerating voltage of more than 100 kilovolts to crystallize the amorphous portion(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Charles T. Rettner, Philip M. Rice, Teya Topuria, Kumar R. Virwani
  • Tunnel magnetoresistive sensor having conductive ceramic layers
    Patent number: 9508367
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor having an active tunnel magnetoresistive region, magnetic shields flanking the tunnel magnetoresistive region, and spacers between the active tunnel magnetoresistive region and the magnetic shields. The active tunnel magnetoresistive region includes a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer and a reference layer. At least one of the spacers includes an electrically conductive ceramic layer. The presence of the electrically conductive ceramic layer enables current-perpendicular-to-plane operation, while enhancing wear resistance and resistance to deformities of the thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Philip M. Rice, Teya Topuria
  • Shingle verify archive appliance
    Patent number: 9502077
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control a write transducer to perform shingled writing where a currently written track is written over a portions of a previously written track thereby defining a shingled track comprising a remaining portion of the previously written track. The controller is also configured to cause reading of data from at least one shingled track during the shingled writing using a read transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD HAVING PROTECTED READER SENSORS AND NEAR ZERO RECESSION WRITER POLES
    Publication number: 20160336029
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The first protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer. The second transducer is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. The second protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer. An extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer is not as great as an extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, W. Stanley Czarnecki, Philipp Herget, Calvin S. Lo
  • DIFFERING MAGNETIC READ SENSORS ON A MAGNETIC HEAD
    Publication number: 20160329065
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having multiple magnetic transducers, the transducers including read sensors. The read sensors are of at least two differing types selected from a group consisting of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR), anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), and inductive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Peter VanderSalm Koeppe, Calvin S. Lo
  • Magnetic recording head having protected reader sensors and near zero recessed write poles
    Patent number: 9472213
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having both read and write transducers positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the read and write transducers are selected from a group consisting of piggyback read-write transducers, merged read-write transducers, interleaved read and write transducers, and an array of write transducers. The write transducers include write poles having media facing sides with negative, zero or near-zero recession from a plane extending along the media facing side of a substrate of the module. The read transducers each have at least one shield. A media facing side of the at least one shield is more recessed from the plane than the write poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo, Andrew C. Ting
  • Miniskirt tape head having quasi-statically tilted transducer arrays
    Patent number: 9472210
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head. The magnetic head has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion providing a tape bearing surface. The first portion has an opening at least partially encircling the second portion. The second portion has at least one array of transducers. A longitudinal axis of each of the at least one array of transducers is defined between opposite ends thereof, and is oriented at an angle relative to a line oriented orthogonally to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross, the angle being between 0.2° and about 10°. The second portion has a first edge oriented at a second angle between 0.2° and about 10° relative to the line, and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge being oriented at a third angle between 0.2° and about 10° relative to the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • MASS PRODUCTION OF MULTICHANNEL CURRENT PERPENDICULAR TO PLANE HEAD MODULES VIA PREFERRED MILLING
    Publication number: 20160284367
    Abstract: A process according to one embodiment includes milling a media facing surface of a module having an array of sensors at a first angle, and milling the media facing surface of the magnetic head module at a second angle, not necessarily in that order. After the milling at the first and second angles, the media facing surface of the module is milled at a third angle between 55 degrees and 65 degrees from normal. An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a tape head module having an array of at least eight current perpendicular to plane sensors, wherein none of the sensors has a resistance more than about 10% away from the resistances of its nearest neighbors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo