Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a head apparatus clearance control apparatus and method in which a map of disk drive disk is created and used for adjusting the head clearance of a disk drive.

Abstract: A system includes a host device and a disk drive interfaced with the host device are described as well as an associated method. The disk drive includes a magnetic media for storing information using an actuator arrangement to perform a data access by moving at least one head proximate to the magnetic media. The information may be subject to corruption when the disk drive is exposed, during the data access, to a given stray magnetic field having a given minimum magnetic field intensity. The given stray magnetic field will not corrupt the information on the magnetic media with the actuator arrangement positioned away from the magnetic media. A stray magnetic field protection arrangement is configured for detecting an ambient magnetic environment for use in causing the actuator arrangement to park responsive to the detection of at least the given minimum magnetic field intensity.

Abstract: A hard disk drive, its use and production are described. A read/write disk stores digital data. A spindle motor supports the read/write disk for controlled rotation thereof. A head arrangement moves to selectively access the read/write disk in a data access mode and moves to a parked position. A dedicated input is receives a first sensor related input signal. A processing arrangement executes the data access mode by cooperatively controlling the spindle motor and the head arrangement, monitoring the sensor related input signal for a predetermined characteristic thereof, and responsive to detection of the characteristic, at least moves the head arrangement to the parked position. A hard disk drive multi-sensor group, monitoring technique and interface are described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed from a semiconductor on insulator substrate, with the insulator or dielectric layer being formed from a polymer precursor to ceramic. The polymer precursor to ceramic may be SiC, diamond, or diamond-like carbon. The resulting device has improved thermal properties, smoothness, dielectric properties, ease of processing, and performance. A method of making the semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for creating an improved surface that serves as a base or underlayer, planarization layer, read layer, write layer and encapsulation material for use in generic devices that require superior heat dissipation, mechanical hardness and surface smoothness. More particularly, the invention discloses an improved material, a polymer precursor to ceramic, for use in such devices, and methods for making magnetic recording transducers, semiconductors and microelectronic mechanical system transducers using this material. The material provides improved heat dissipation, mechanical hardness, and surface smoothness. The invention also discloses devices made with such material by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A head structure for writing data on a magnetic media including a first pole having an upper surface and a write gap covering a portion of the upper surface. An upper pole tip formed on the write gap having a first width. A second pole having a second width greater than the first width and coupling to an upper surface of the upper pole tip. A conductive coil magnetically coupled to the first pole and the second pole to induce magnetic flux within the first and second pole in response to a current flowing in the coil.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive read/recording head for use in a fixed disk drive data storage device is formed by the steps of first, photolithographically depositing the head on one surface of a slider block, second, applying, a conductive film preferably of carbon or a silicon/carbon multi-layer film over the head and onto the block surface, and then milling the write tip portion of the head with a focused ion beam. The remaining conductive film is then removed in an oxygen plasma which chemically removes the remaining conductive film. The conductive layer is transparent to the focused ion beam and conducts electrostatic charge away from the head during the milling operation thus preventing electrostatic discharges from occurring which otherwise would damage the head.

Abstract: A head structure for writing data on a magnetic media including a first pole having an upper surface and a write gap covering a portion of the upper surface. An upper pole tip formed on the write gap having a first width. A second pole having a second width greater than the first width and coupling to an upper surface of the upper pole tip. A conductive coil magnetically coupled to the first pole and the second pole to induce magnetic flux within the first and second pole in response to a current flowing in the coil.

Abstract: A method of forming a top pole member in a magnetic recording head having a bottom pole member, an insulating layer on said bottom pole member, and a shared pole member over the bottom pole member on a ceramic substrate comprises the steps of depositing a ferromagnetic material on the shared pole portion forming a shared pole tip; depositing an insulating layer on and over the shared pole and the shared pole tip; mechanically forming a planar insulating layer surface over the shared pole member exposing the shared pole tip flush with said planar surface; recessing the pole tip below said planar surface; depositing a gap layer over the planar surface of the insulating layer and the recessed pole tip. This layer forms a channel over the recessed pole tip. The top pole member is then deposited into and over the channel over the recessed pole tip. The top pole tip thus formed is automatically centered and aligned with the shared pole tip without the necessity of ion beam milling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a magnetic transducer which uses gallium ion beam milling to precisely define pole tip widths of the magnetic transducer. The gallium ion beam may be defocused to improve definition of the region which is damaged by gallium ion implantation. The precision pole tip widths provide a transducer that may record correspondingly precise track widths on a magnetic storage medium, such as a rotating disk. Subsequent to the ion milling process, the invention restores the magnetically conductive properties of the pole tip region, which may be degraded as a result of the ion milling process, by means of a lapping process.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removal of sand and/or debris from the bottom of a tank. The device comprises a cylinder having an opening at a first end which is smaller than the cylinder. A handle is mounted on a second end of the cylinder. A vent opening is formed in the cylinder adjacent the handle. A valve is mounted on the handle to open and close the opening.