Patents by Inventor Connie C. Liu
Connie C. Liu 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).
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Patent number: 8728637Abstract: A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (Hcl) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Michael Zyee-Shan Wu, Mason Lu, Kueir W. Chour, Connie C. Liu, Edward T. Yen, Lynn Li, Steve Hwang
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Publication number: 20100119877Abstract: A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (Hcl) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Michael Zyee-Shan Wu, Mason Lu, Kueir W. Chour, Connie C. Liu, Edward T. Yen, Lynn Li, Steve Hwang
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Patent number: 7691499Abstract: A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (Hcl) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Michael Zyee-Shan Wu, Mason Lu, Kueir W. Chour, Connie C. Liu, Edward T. Yen, Lynn Li, Steve Hwang
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Patent number: 7255942Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited composite nickel coatings for use in an information storage system are provided. The composite nickel coatings include an electrolessly deposited nickel layer formed on a sputter deposited nickel layer. The composite nickel coatings have an as-deposited surface roughness of less than about 10 ?. Embodiments include formation of the composite nickel coating on a disk, followed by deposition of an underlayer and magnetic layer thereon to form a magnetic recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Connie C. Liu, Linda L. Zhong, Ian J. Beresford, Lin Huang, Joseph Leigh, David E. Brown
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Patent number: 7174060Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nagesh K. Vodrahalli, Achintya K. Bhowmik, Connie C. Liu, Takaharu Fujiyama, Kenji Takahashi, Biswajit Sur
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Patent number: 6928200Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Nagesh K. Vodrahalli, Achintya K. Bhowmik, Connie C. Liu, Takaharu Fujiyama, Kenji Takahashi, Biswajit Sur
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Publication number: 20040161635Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited composite nickel coatings for use in an information storage system are provided. The composite nickel coatings include an electrolessly deposited nickel layer formed on a sputter deposited nickel layer. The composite nickel coatings have an as-deposited surface roughness of less than about 10 Å. Embodiments include formation of the composite nickel coating on a disk, followed by deposition of an underlayer and magnetic layer thereon to form a magnetic recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC.Inventors: Connie C. Liu, Linda L. Zhong, Ian J. Beresford, Lin Huang, Joseph Leigh, David E. Brown
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Publication number: 20040067001Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a first waveguide segment that differentially changes the amplitude of the light relative to a first polarization orientation, a thickness of oriented liquid crystal or other birefringent material sufficient to delay one polarization component one-half wavelength relative to another, and a second waveguide segment that also differentially changes the amplitude of the light based on the polarization orientation. Also, an apparatus that includes a thin polarization converter that includes a thin first substrate that is substantially transparent to a wavelength of light, and a birefringent material deposited on one or more surfaces of the first substrate and oriented such that the polarization converter forms a half-wavelength birefringent plate for the light. Also, an apparatus having a first substrate surface, a second substrate surface, and a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate surfaces to form a polarization converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Intel CorporationInventors: Nagesh K. Vodrahalli, Achintya K. Bhowmik, Connie C. Liu, Takaharu Fujiyama, Kenji Takahashi, Biswajit Sur
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Patent number: 6689413Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited composite nickel coatings for use in an information storage system are provided. The composite nickel coatings include an electrolessly deposited nickel layer formed on a sputter deposited nickel layer. The composite nickel coatings have an as-deposited surface roughness of less than about 10 Å. Embodiments include formation of the composite nickel coating on a disk, followed by deposition of an underlayer and magnetic layer thereon to form a magnetic recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Connie C. Liu, Linda L. Zhong, Ian J. Beresford, Lin Huang, Joseph Leigh, David E. Brown
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Patent number: 6629878Abstract: Surface processing of metal, such as CMP, is enhanced and defects reduced by pretreatment to remove a surface layer exhibiting properties different from the bulk metal, such as a baked on oxide layer. Embodiments of the present invention include acid soaking a non-magnetic substrate having an Al, Ni or Ni—P surface with a baked oxide film thereon, thereby removing the oxide film and rendering the reduced surface amenable to CMP with reduced defects, reduced surface roughness and increased production throughput.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Linda L. Zhong, Connie C. Liu, Roger Rostron Wills, Jeff A. Railton, Shawn A. Mawla, Jeff D. St. John
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Patent number: 6410104Abstract: Electrolessly plated Ni—P amorphous coatings having an increased magnetic transformation temperature and ultra smooth surface are achieved employing a plating bath containing Al and/or Cu ions. Embodiments include electrolessly depositing an amorphous Ni—P coating exhibiting a magnetic transformation temperature of at least 330° C. proximate a laser textured protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Linda L. Zhong, Connie C. Liu, Jeff D. St. John
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Publication number: 20020071968Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited composite nickel coatings for use in an information storage system are provided. The composite nickel coatings include an electrolessly deposited nickel layer formed on a sputter deposited nickel layer. The composite nickel coatings have an as-deposited surface roughness of less than about 10 Å. Embodiments include formation of the composite nickel coating on a disk, followed by deposition of an underlayer and magnetic layer thereon to form a magnetic recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Connie C. Liu, Linda L. Zhong, Ian J. Beresford, Lin Huang, Joseph Leigh, David E. Brown
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Patent number: 6316097Abstract: Magnetic recording media including an alternative substrate material having a Young's Modulus greater than that of Al-based substrate materials and a preselected average surface roughness (Ra) are formed by depositing a continuous, adherent, non-magnetic, catalytically active layer on a surface of the substrate and electrolessly plating an amorphous seed layer on the catalytically active layer, the Ra of the resultant surface of the amorphous seed layer being reduced from that of the substrate, thereby providing a substantially defect-free surface for deposition thereon of magnetic recording media layers thereon. Embodiments include sputter depositing an catalytically active layer of Ni—Al or Ni—P and electrolessly plating an amorphous seed layer of Ni—P thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Connie C. Liu, Linda L. Zhong, Jeff D. St. John, Samuel D. Harkness, Qixu Chen
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Patent number: 6106927Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited electroless nickel coatings are achieved employing a plating bath containing aluminum and/or copper ions. Embodiments include electroless deposition of an amorphous nickel-phosphorous coating on a glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, or aluminum-containing substrate, with an as deposited average surface roughness (Ra) of less than about 16 .ANG., depositing an underlayer, and depositing a magnetic layer to form a magnetic recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.Inventors: Linda L. Zhong, Connie C. Liu