Abstract: A system for grading defective bit patterned magnetic media by disk sector in hard disk drives recovers a portion of any defective sectors at a lower areal density. The invention reduces the track pitch density for sectors containing amalgamated islands while leaving the remainder of the defect-free sectors in the zone optimized for linear bit density. This recovers a portion of the defective sector, approximately in proportion to the ratio of amalgamated islands over the original number of islands. A typical zone is first optimized for tracks per inch during formatting of the patterned media disk drive. The zone is then broken up into sectors that can each be optimized separately for linear bit density to ensure the maximum sustainable capacity for each sector.

Abstract: A system for grading defective bit patterned magnetic media by disk sector in hard disk drives recovers a portion of any defective sectors at a lower areal density. The invention reduces the track pitch density for sectors containing amalgamated islands while leaving the remainder of the defect-free sectors in the zone optimized for linear bit density. This recovers a portion of the defective sector, approximately in proportion to the ratio of amalgamated islands over the original number of islands. A typical zone is first optimized for tracks per inch during formatting of the patterned media disk drive. The zone is then broken up into sectors that can each be optimized separately for linear bit density to ensure the maximum sustainable capacity for each sector.

Abstract: Wafer structures and associated methods of fabrication are described. The wafer structures are fabricated to have aerodynamic shapes. Even if the structures on the wafer are fragile, the aerodynamic shapes of the structures create less resistance to a fluid flow of a cleaning process, and are less likely to be damaged by the cleaning process. Also, the aerodynamic shape of the structures allows a fluid flow to be directed toward the wafer from a single angle to effectively clean the wafer.

Abstract: Wafer structures and associated methods of fabrication are described. The wafer structures are fabricated to have aerodynamic shapes. Even if the structures on the wafer are fragile, the aerodynamic shapes of the structures create less resistance to a fluid flow of a cleaning process, and are less likely to be damaged by the cleaning process. Also, the aerodynamic shape of the structures allows a fluid flow to be directed toward the wafer from a single angle to effectively clean the wafer.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of magnetic heads which include CoFe elements using CMP is presented. The method includes providing a slurry of Al2O3, adjusting the concentration of H2O2 in said slurry to within a range of 6–12% by volume and balancing mechanical polishing action. The balancing is done by adjusting the table speed of a mechanical polisher to within a range of 55–90 rpm, and adjusting polishing pressure to within a range of 5–7 psi. Also a magnetic head having elements made of CoFe material made by this method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of magnetic write heads for disk drives in which a P1 layer is formed having a P1 Protrusion, the P1 Protrusion having a longitudinal reference axis. A gap layer is deposited on the P1 Protrusion and a layer of fill material is deposited on the gap layer. The fill material layer is shaped to form a mold which surrounds a hollow which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the P1 Protrusion. This hollow in the fill material layer is filled with P2 pole material to form a P2 pole which is then automatically substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the P1 Protrusion.