Abstract: Provided herein are methods of incorporating additives into thin-film solar cell substrates and back contacts. In certain embodiments, sodium is incorporated into a substrate or a back contact of a thin-film photovoltaic stack where it can diffuse into a CIGS or other absorber layer to improve efficiency and/or growth of the layer. The methods involve laser treating the substrate or back contact in the presence of a sodium (or sodium-containing) solid or vapor to thereby incorporate sodium into the surface of the substrate or back contact. In certain embodiments, the surface is simultaneously smoothed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar energy system includes a plurality of module rows and a plurality of reflector rows. Each module row includes a plurality of PV modules. Each PV module includes a plurality of PV cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, the PV cells in each cell row being electrically connected in parallel to each other, and the plurality of cell rows being electrically connected in series to each other. Each reflector row includes a plurality of reflectors. The reflector rows are interposed between the module rows such that each reflector row is mechanically interconnected between two adjacent module rows and is arranged to reflect light having some incident angles on to one of the two adjacent module rows.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a photovoltaic module includes an active layer, a top layer, and a bottom layer. The active layer includes a plurality of strips of thin-film PV material that are arranged spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other. The top layer is disposed above the active layer and includes a substantially transparent film. The bottom layer is disposed below the active layer, the bottom layer including a conductive backsheet configured to form a current return path for the strips of thin-film PV material. The PV module further includes means for serially and redundantly interconnecting the strips of thin-film PV material together.

Abstract: A recording head for use in magnetic storage devices is disclosed. The recording head includes a transducer that is bi-directionally movable with respect to a surface of the magnetic storage medium, thereby enabling improved positioning of the transducer during recording head read and write operations. Various structures are disclosed to bi-directionally actuate the recording head transducer. In one embodiment, an interleaver assembly having a plurality of flexure assemblies employs a motor including magnetic portions for selective, bi-directional actuation. In another embodiment, electrostatic charges are employed in the flexure assemblies for selective actuation. In yet another embodiment, piezoelectric elements are included to provide for selective actuation.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a detachable louver system comprising primary louvers and a frame. The primary louvers are arranged substantially parallel to each other and are configured to reflect light rays incident on the primary louvers onto photovoltaic areas of a photovoltaic module. The frame is configured to support the primary louvers and to removably couple the detachable louver system to the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a PV module comprising a conductive backsheet, a non-conductive layer disposed on the conductive backsheet, a plurality of PV cells arranged in rows and collectively generating a first power output characterized by a first voltage, and a power conversion device. Each of the rows can include two or more PV cells. The PV cells within each row can be connected to each other in parallel. The rows can be connected in series. A top row can be connected to the conductive backsheet. The power conversion device can be redundantly connected to a bottom row and to the conductive backsheet to form a complete circuit. The power conversion device can convert the first power output to a second power output characterized b a second voltage that is larger than the first voltage. The power conversion device can also maintain peak power of the PV cells.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a PV module comprising a conductive backsheet, a substantially transparent front plate, a plurality of PV cells, a plurality of conductive spacers, and a power conversion device. The PV cells can be disposed between the conductive backsheet and the front plate and can be arranged in a plurality of rows. The PV cells within each row can be connected to each other in parallel and the rows can be connected in series. The PV cells can be interconnected between the conductive spacers. The power conversion device can be redundantly connected to the PV cells via a last conductive spacer connected to a last row. The power conversion device can substantially maintain a maximum peak power of the PV module and can convert a lower voltage collectively generated by the PV cells to a predetermined stepped up voltage greater than or equal to 12 volts.

Abstract: A recording head for use in magnetic storage devices is disclosed. The recording head includes a transducer that is bi-directionally movable with respect to a surface of the magnetic storage medium, thereby enabling improved positioning of the transducer during recording head read and write operations. Various structures are disclosed to bi-directionally actuate the recording head transducer. In one embodiment, an interleaver assembly having a plurality of flexure assemblies employs a motor including magnetic portions for selective, bi-directional actuation. In another embodiment, electrostatic charges are employed in the flexure assemblies for selective actuation. In yet another embodiment, piezoelectric elements are included to provide for selective actuation.

Abstract: A recording head for use in magnetic storage devices is disclosed. The recording head includes a transducer that is bi-directionally movable with respect to a magnetic medium surface of the magnetic storage medium, thereby enabling improved positioning of the transducer during read and write operations of the transducer. The recording head further includes a wafer assembly having a motor segment and a flexure segment that are joined together. The flexure segment includes a cavity that receives the transducer therein. The recording head further includes a slider body that receives the wafer assembly in a cavity defined therein. A motor located in the motor segment can be selectively actuated to cause movement of the flexure assembly and corresponding movement of the transducer body. Various features regarding the construction and assembly of the recording head are also disclosed to improve head operation, including techniques for preventing head damage during a shock event.

Abstract: A recording head for use in magnetic storage devices is disclosed. The recording head includes a transducer that is bi-directionally movable with respect to a magnetic medium surface of the magnetic storage medium, thereby enabling improved positioning of the transducer during read and write operations of the transducer. The recording head further includes a slider body and an interleaver assembly that is interposed between the transducer and the slider body. The interleaver assembly includes a flexure assembly having a plurality of resilient flexure beams. A motor assembly incorporated into the recording head can be selectively actuated to cause movement of the flexure assembly and corresponding movement of a portion of the interleaver assembly and the transducer body. The flexure assembly is configured to constrain motion of the transducer in vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the magnetic medium surface to allow for enhanced transducer positioning.

Abstract: Servo tracks are written onto different disk surfaces using multiple recording heads within a disk drive without requiring a servo writing machine or clean room conditions. Microactuators in the reference heads in the disk drive are capable of independent motion with respect to one another, which allows the servo tracks to be written to the disk surfaces. The process begins as the recording heads are biased against a crash stop, and then moved to an adjacent track. One of the heads writes a reference track at this adjacent track position when a microactuator of the head is centered. This reference head then follows the reference track with its microactuator centered, while the other recording heads move in the radial direction to write servo information on their respective tracks. Reference tracks are then successively used to write the servo information as the recording heads move in a direction away from the crash stop.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of a slider includes forming a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiferromagnetic layer and applying a layer of protective material to proximal ends of those layers that are proximal to the disk surface. The method further includes recessing a proximal end of a non-magnetic metal layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer from the disk surface to form at least one recessed area. The method also includes filling the recessed area with protective material to a depth such that when the layer of protective material is worn from the ends of the first ferromagnetic layer, the second ferromagnetic layer, and the antiferromagnetic layer by burnishing of the ends by the disk surface, protective material still remains in the recessed area of the non-magnetic metal layer.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and positioning a recording head having a bi-directional transducer for use with a magnetic storage device is disclosed. The bi-directional transducer of the recording head is positioned within the recording head to enable vertical fly height motion and lateral track-to-track motion of the transducer to occur with respect to the surface of a magnetic storage medium within the storage device. Calibration of the bi-directional transducer in the fly height and track-to-track directions enables the transducer to align itself with more precision with the magnetic medium surface, thereby improving data read and write operations for the storage device. Calibration algorithms for fly height and track-to-track adjustment are presented, and possible motion of the bi-directional transducer is resolved into multi-function equations to account for various variables relating to transducer motion.

Abstract: Multiple recording heads are used to perform parallel read and write operations on multiple disk surfaces in disk drives. Small-scale actuators are positioned between the transducer and the macroactuator that moves the entire head gimble assembly. The small-scale actuators adjust the position of the recording heads to the appropriate data tracks during the read and write operations to compensate for misalignments between the multiple recording heads. The parallel read and write operations can significantly improve the sustained data rates associated with disk drives. The access time required to read data stored on a disk can be reduced by writing multiple copies of the same data blocks to different locations on the surface of disks in the disk drives. Read operations are performed by moving the recording head to the copy of the data block that will produce the smallest access time.

Abstract: Transducer elements of recording heads for magnetic storage media are moved independently in either of two directions with respect to the slider of the recording head. The motion is controlled using a micropositioner having magnetic coils integrated into the recording head. The transducer moves in the x direction between data tracks and in the z direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic storage medium. The micropositioners are used for small-scale positioning of the transducers over data tracks and to adjust fly heights. Because of the high minimum resonant frequencies and the low mass of the transducers, the micropositioners also improve settling times associated with track following. The micropositioners can be used during fabrication for dimensional control of recording head components. The motion of the transducers in the z direction enables the recording heads to be used reliably in the presence of asperities and changing ambient pressures and temperatures.

Abstract: Servo tracks are written onto different disk surfaces using multiple recording heads within a disk drive without requiring a servo writing machine or clean room conditions. Microactuators in the reference heads in the disk drive are capable of independent motion with respect to one another, which allows the servo tracks to be written to the disk surfaces. The process begins as the recording heads are biased against a crash stop, and then moved to an adjacent track. One of the heads writes a reference track at this adjacent track position when a microactuator of the head is centered. This reference head then follows the reference track with its microactuator centered, while the other recording heads move in the radial direction to write servo information on their respective tracks. Reference tracks are then successively used to write the servo information as the recording heads move in a direction away from the crash stop.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and positioning a recording head having a bi-directional transducer for use with a magnetic storage device is disclosed. The bi-directional transducer of the recording head is positioned within the recording head to enable vertical fly height motion and lateral track-to-track motion of the transducer to occur with respect to the surface of a magnetic storage medium within the storage device. Calibration of the bi-directional transducer in the fly height and track-to-track directions enables the transducer to align itself with more precision with the magnetic medium surface, thereby improving data read and write operations for the storage device. Calibration algorithms for fly height and track-to-track adjustment are presented, and possible motion of the bi-directional transducer is resolved into multi-function equations to account for various variables relating to transducer motion.

Abstract: A slider (34) for reading data from a disk surface (80), the slider (80) including a magneto-resistive head (36). The head (36) includes a transducer (58) having a stack of layers (59), each layer (62,66,70,74) having a proximal end (64,68,72,76) proximal to the disk surface, and a pair of electrical leads (82), connected to the transducer (58), each one of the electrical leads (82) also having a proximal end (83) proximal to the disk surface (80). At least one of the proximal ends (83) of the electrical leads (82) and the layers (66) is recessed to provide one or more recessed areas (92). The recessed areas (92) are then filled with protective material (94) to a depth such that when the layer of protective material (48) is worn from the proximal ends (64,68,72,76,83) by burnishing by the disk surface (80), protective material (94) still remains in the recessed areas (92).

Abstract: A slider (34) for reading data from a disk surface (80), the slider (80) including a magneto-resistive head (36). The head (36) includes a transducer (58) having a stack of layers (59), each layer (62,66,70,74) having a proximal end (64,68,72,76) proximal to the disk surface, and a pair of electrical leads (82), connected to the transducer (58), each one of the electrical leads (82) also having a proximal end (83) proximal to the disk surface (80). At least one of the proximal ends (83) of the electrical leads (82) and the layers (66) is recessed to provide one or more recessed areas (92). The recessed areas (92) are then filled with protective material (94) to a depth such that when the layer of protective material (48) is worn from the proximal ends (64,68,72,76,83) by burnishing by the disk surface (80), protective material (94) still remains in the recessed areas (92).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.