Abstract: A read transducer assembly includes a giant magnetoresistive structure in magnetic contact with a multilayered biasing structure that includes layers of antiferromagnetic material interleaved with layers of soft magnetic material. The magnetic exchange coupling between the antiferromagnetic layers and the soft magnetic layers results in a bias field to the giant magnetoresistive structure that reduces or eliminates side reading by the read transducer assembly. The multilayered biasing structure is located adjacent to and in magnetic contact with either the end or the top surfaces of the giant magnetoresistive structure.

Abstract: An air bearing magnetic head is formed with a dual gap for minimizing side fringe fields, side reading, side writing, cross-talk interference, and pulse asymmetry, while maintaining the efficiency of the head. The method of manufacturing the head enables the control of the effective track width with great precision. The head is made by depositing a layer of magnetic material that defines a first pole P1. A dual gap is formed on the first pole P1 by depositing a first layer of nonmagnetic material that defines two side gaps and part of a central gap interposed between the two side gaps. A second layer of nonmagnetic material is deposited on the first layer in order to further define the central gap. In its final configuration, the central gap is substantially wider than the two side gaps. Another layer of magnetic material is deposited over the central and side gaps for defining a second pole P2.

Abstract: A magnetic head is formed by depositing a pad pattern on a substrate with a flat upper surface. The pad pattern includes two spaced inner slopes that face each other. An air bearing surface plane is defined between the inner slopes where the air bearing surface of the magnetic head is to be formed. An undercoat layer is deposited on the pad pattern, such that the undercoat layer follows the contour of the inner slopes to form a recessed region between the inner slopes. A magnetic layer is deposited on the undercoat layer to form a first pole P1 that follows the contours of the inner slopes. A gap layer is then formed on top of the first pole P1 and follows its contour. Conductive coils are formed within the recessed region. A second magnetic layer is deposited over the coils and gap layer to form a second pole P2. The magnetic head is lapped at the air bearing surface plane to form the final air bearing surface.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head employs antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic layers in a layered structure to provide magnetic exchange field coupling. This structure is provided with a buffer layer which is in contact with either the ferromagnetic layer or the antiferromagnetic layer and whose action enhances the exchange field coupling between the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic layers and improves the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A sub-ambient pressure air bearing slider is configured with longitudinal air-bearing rails that have angular side recesses near the trailing end of the slider. Sub-ambient pressure regions formed within the side recesses during disk operation oppose the asymmetrical lift forces which cause undesirable roll. The slider provides improved roll and flying height characteristics.

Abstract: A negative pressure air bearing slider is provided with side rails, a central negative pressure cavity between the side rails and one or more relief vents at the leading edge of the slider. The side rails extend fully or partially from tapered regions at the leading edge of the slider to the trailing edge of the slider. Air bearing pads disposed adjacent to the front tapered regions and/or the slider trailing edge may be configured with the side rails. By virtue of the slider design, variations in flying height and roll are minimized.

Abstract: A sensing head for detecting flux representative of signals recorded on a magnetic medium includes dual magnetoresistive (MR) elements, an in-gap flux guide partly disposed between the elements and a flux closure piece having ends located adjacent to the ends of the MR elements. The assembly provides increased signal sensitivity and minimizes or eliminates the possibility of electrical or magnetic shorting of the elements which may occur by smearing of the MR sensing elements if the elements are disposed at the air bearing surface of a head slider in contact with a rotating disk.

Abstract: A wear-resistant end cap is provided for an air bearing slider of a thin film magnetic recording head useful in a disk drive. The slider has an air bearing surface that is positioned adjacent to a rotating surface of a magnetic disk during data recording or readout. A thin film transducer is deposited on the trailing end of the slider perpendicular to the air bearing surface. A laminated end cap is deposited on the trailing end surface disposed normal to the disk recording surface to protect the transducer. The end cap includes a first lamination disposed with an edge in a plane parallel to the air bearing surface of the slider and a second contiguous lamination of a different material having an edge in the plane whereby the edge areas of the contiguous laminations have relatively more wear resistance than the wear resistance of an equivalent edge area of either material taken alone.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is fabricated with a multiplicity of magnetic yokes that interact effectively with an electrical coil. The magnetic P1 and P2 pole sections of the yoke are very narrow and form closely spaced envelopes about the coil. The multiple yokes are inductively linked to the coil so as to provide an increased number of flux interactions for a given length of coil turn. With this magnetic head design, signal output is increased, thermal noise is reduced, and the signal-to-noise ratio is effectively improved.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures are disclosed including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate.

Abstract: An air bearing slider of a thin film magnetic head assembly is configured with tapered portions at its leading edge and with two side rails extending from the tapers to the trailing edge of the slider. Recesses that are formed in the rails are spaced from the tapered portions. Each rail may be configured with one or more recesses. In one embodiment, the two recesses of each rail are asymmetrically disposed relative to the tapered portion of the rail and to the trailing edge of the slider. In such embodiment, the recesses do not extend to the slider trailing edge. In alternative embodiments, the recesses are spaced from the tapered portions but extend to the trailing edge of the slider. The recesses may be arcuately shaped or have angled portions or other geometries.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate. In one class of technique, the side edges are deposited together with a top layer in a single plating operation.

Abstract: A read/write head includes a dual element MR sensor and a superimposed inductive head. In an implementation of the invention, the MR sensor structure includes two spaced magnetoresistive (MR) elements on which antiferromagnetic (AFe) thin films, preferably of iron manganese, are deposited. The AFe thin films act as exchange bias layers with the MR elements, biasing the MR layers in opposite directions and perpendicular to the surface of a magnetic medium. Recorded magnetic signals are sensed differentially and the output signal is characterized by increased amplitude and improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A thin film read-write magnetic head includes a write inductive section having a magnetic circuit consisting of thin film magnetic layers and a read flux sensing element, such as a magnetoresistive device or Hall effect device, located in a gap in the magnetic circuit. During the write mode, a magnetic valve including an electrical conductor provides a shunt path to bypass the flux sensing element. During the read mode, a saturation current is directed to the valve conductor so that the shunt path is open, thereby allowing the flux sensing element to sense the readout signal.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures are disclosed including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording composition contains load-bearing particles which consist of a monodispersion of spherical particles distributed throughout the coating. The spherical particles have a diameter somewhat in excess of the finished coating thickness so as to extend above the coating.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording medium for deposition on a record carrier includes a ferromagnetic alloy containing iron, cobalt and chromium. The ferromagnetic alloy consists of from 0-55% cobalt, from 8-22% of chromium with the remainder iron. The preferred range of chromium is from 10-18%. The magnetic recording layer is vacuum deposited over an extended portion of a record carrier for storing information which is represented by the spatial distribution of magnetic transitions in the magnetic layer. The iron-cobalt-chromium or iron-chromium composition according to this invention, gives the best magnetic properties consistent with excellent corrosion resistance.