Abstract: A storage device and method use a head that is fabricated using photolithography, and the head is purposely powered up during a material removal process, such as lapping, so that the head's expansion (that would be formed on being powered up during normal usage in a drive) is planarized. On being cooled to room temperature, the head has a concave shape in a pole tip region, the concavity indicative of a volume occupied by material that formed the head expansion, and that has been removed by planarization. Thereafter, the head is powered up in a storage device and method, so that the head has a surface other than flat but within a predetermined range, and the head supplies a signal through the surface to a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern on a soft magnetic underlayer of a perpendicular magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the soft magnetic underlayer is continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern on a soft magnetic underlayer of a perpendicular magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the soft magnetic underlayer is continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern in a magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the discrete track recording pattern may be formed in a NiP layer continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern. Alternatively, the discrete track recording pattern may be formed in a substrate.

Abstract: Isothermal imprint embossing system. In one embodiment, the system includes a heater to pre-heat a disk substrate to an embossing temperature, a die assembly with an embossing foil to imprint the embossable film disposed on the disk substrate, and a heat tunnel disposed between the heater and the die assembly to maintain the embossing temperature.

Abstract: A press system that reduces contamination of workpieces and/or compliant members used in die assemblies of the press from the pressing process. The die assemblies may utilize annular or hole-less stampers in which the compliant member is sealed in the die assembly. The compliant member may have be annular having a cavity at approximately its center. A gap may be generated at the cavity of the compliant member between a constraint member and the stamper. The gap, for example, may be filled with a plug to prevent significant distortion of the stamper over a hole of a disk shaped workpiece due to the pressure induced force generated by the press system. An outer diameter ring surrounding a workpiece may be used to prevent collapse of the stampers outside the diameter of the workpiece to insure uniform pressing out to the outer diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: A die for a press system. The die may include a stamper and a housing, having a cavity disposed therein, coupled to the stamper. The die may also include a gasket disposed within the cavity. The gasket may be coupled to the stamper at a position above a workpiece to be imprinted by the stamper.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern on a soft magnetic underlayer of a perpendicular magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the soft magnetic underlayer is continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: A head for use in a drive includes a heating element capable of generating heat sufficient to cause the head to have a shape that is similar or identical to the shape that the head has when performing an operation (e.g. writing) on a recording medium in the drive. The heating element is activated when the operation is not being performed. Hence, a head generates the same amount (or similar amount) of heat and is therefore at the same temperature (also called “operating temperature”), regardless of whether or not an operation (such as writing) is being performed. Therefore, the head maintains a fixed shape or has a shape that varies minimally, within a predetermined range around the fixed shape, that in turn results in maintaining fly height (distance between the head and the recording medium). The heating element may be implemented to use loss mechanisms inherent in a write transducer, e.g. by providing a center tap to the write transducer.

Abstract: A head is fabricated using photolithography, and the head is purposely powered up during a material removal process, such as lapping, so that the head's expansion (that would be formed on being powered up during normal usage in a drive) is planarized. Specifically, the head is energized in a manner identical (or similar) to energization of circuitry in the head during normal operation in a drive, even though fabrication of the head has not yet been completed. When energized, a shape that the head would have during normal operation is replicated (or approximated). Therefore, the head's shape includes a expansion of the pole tip region, although the head is only partially fabricated. Thereafter, a portion of the head in the expansion is partially or completely removed, by lapping while energized. The depth of material removal from the head is monitored e.g.

Abstract: A DTR patterned magnetic recording disk having a carbon overcoat is described. The carbon overcoat may be deposited above the data storage layers to maximize edge coverage of the discrete track areas. The DTR pattern may be formed using a bilayer resist film for lift-off of above deposited metal and carbon layers.

Abstract: An isothermal imprinting method is described. A resist film may be imprinted with a stamper at a temperature at least that of the transition temperature of the resist film. The stamper may then be separated from the resist film prior to cooling.

Abstract: An indirect fluid pressure imprinting method and apparatus are described. A stamper having a backside and a front side is provided. The front side of the stamper has a plurality of protruding features. The stamper may be pressed into an embossable material by indirect fluid pressure by applying pressure only to the backside of the stamper.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern on a soft magnetic underlayer of a perpendicular magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the soft magnetic underlayer is continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: A head for use in a drive includes a heating element capable of generating heat sufficient to cause the head to have a shape that is similar or identical to the shape that the head has when performing an operation (e.g. writing) on a recording medium in the drive. The heating element is activated when the operation is not being performed. Hence, a head generates the same amount (or similar amount) of heat and is therefore at the same temperature (also called “operating temperature”), regardless of whether or not an operation (such as writing) is being performed. Therefore, the head maintains a fixed shape or has a shape that varies minimally, within a predetermined range around the fixed shape, that in turn results in maintaining fly height (distance between the head and the recording medium). The heating element may be implemented to use loss mechanisms inherent in a write transducer, e.g. by providing a center tap to the write transducer.

Abstract: A head is fabricated using photolithography, and the head is purposely powered up during a material removal process, such as lapping, so that the head's expansion (that would be formed on being powered up during normal usage in a drive) is planarized. Specifically, the head is energized in a manner identical (or similar) to energization of circuitry in the head during normal operation in a drive, even though fabrication of the head has not yet been completed. When energized, a shape that the head would have during normal operation is replicated (or approximated). Therefore, the head's shape includes a expansion of the pole tip region, although the head is only partially fabricated. Thereafter, a portion of the head in the expansion is partially or completely removed, by lapping while energized. The depth of material removal from the head is monitored e.g.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass substrate for use in magnetic disk manufacturing comprises the steps of a) forming a glass sheet; b) forming a protective sheet over one or both sides of the glass sheet; c) cutting the glass sheet into workpieces; d) cutting the workpieces into disk-shaped substrates; e) subjecting the edges of the substrates to an edge polishing process; and f) removing the protective layer. Of importance, by leaving the protective layer over the substrate, the substrate surface is protected from damage.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk comprises the step of applying a continuous laser beam to both sides of a glass workpiece and etching both sides of the workpiece with an aqueous acidic fluoride-containing etching solution. The portion of the workpiece receiving the laser beam etches at a much faster rate than the portions of the workpiece that were not exposed to the laser beam. The workpiece is then broken along a line or curve formed by the above-mentioned steps. The resulting structure is a substrate used to form a magnetic disk. The disk is completed by depositing an underlayer, a magnetic layer and a protective overcoat on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a credit card (or other type of data storing card) comprising a magnetic strip includes the step of depositing a magnetic recording layer on a substrate, cutting the substrate into strips, and mounting the strips onto the credit card. In one embodiment, the strips comprise glass that is sufficiently thin to be bendable. The magnetic recording layer is sputtered onto the glass using a high temperature sputtering apparatus. In another embodiment, the substrate is a metal foil. The data recording capacity of the magnetic strip is greater than that which can be achieved by using particulate media.

Abstract: A method for making magnetic disks comprises the steps of: applying a protective layer of material on a sheet of glass; b) cutting the sheet of glass into glass squares; c) stacking the glass squares; d) removing a circular core from the stack of glass squares, thereby defining the inner diameter of the glass substrates being formed; e) using a cutting annulus to cut through the stack of glass squares, thereby forming a stack of glass disks; f) subjecting the stack of glass disks to an edge polishing process to round the corners of the glass disks both at the inner and outer diameters; h) unstacking the glass disks; i) removing the protective layers from the glass disks; j) subjecting the glass disks to a chemical strengthening step; and k) sputtering an underlayer, magnetic layer and protective overcoat onto the glass substrate to thereby form a magnetic disk.