Abstract: A ferroelectric transducer for use with a ferroelectric storage medium includes a read electrode. The read electrode emits a current when a polarity orientation of the read electrode is opposite a polarity orientation of a ferroelectric domain on the storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage medium is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording. The data storage medium includes a substrate having a locking pattern etched therein defining patterned regions. The patterned regions are chemically modified by depositing a self-assembled monolayer therein. A first layer of nanoparticles is provided in the patterned regions on top of the self-assembled monolayer and is chemically bonded to the substrate via the self-assembled monolayer. The first layer of nanoparticles is chemically modified using functional surfactant molecules applied thereto, such that a second layer of nanoparticles may be formed on top of the first layer and chemically bonded thereto via the functional surfactant molecules. Additional layers of nanoparticles may be applied by chemically modifying the top layer of nanoparticles utilizing the functional surfactant molecules and applying a further layer of nanoparticles thereto.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording on a recording medium. The magnetic recording device includes a magnetic pole and a C-aperture structure disposed adjacent the magnetic pole. A focusing element receives light from a light source and focuses the received light onto the C-aperture structure, such that the light incident upon the C-aperture structure and a magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic pole are co-locatable on a recording medium disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording device. The focusing element may include a planar waveguide receiving and focusing the light onto the C-aperture structure.

Abstract: A data storage medium is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording. The data storage medium includes a substrate having a locking pattern etched therein defining patterned regions. The patterned regions are chemically modified by depositing a self-assembled monolayer therein. A first layer of nanoparticles is provided in the patterned regions on top of the self-assembled monolayer and is chemically bonded to the substrate via the self-assembled monolayer. The first layer of nanoparticles is chemically modified using functional surfactant molecules applied thereto, such that a second layer of nanoparticles may be formed on top of the first layer and chemically bonded thereto via the functional surfactant molecules. Additional layers of nanoparticles may be applied by chemically modifying the top layer of nanoparticles utilizing the functional surfactant molecules and applying a further layer of nanoparticles thereto.

Abstract: A method of chemical mechanical polishing a wafer comprises: forming an optical property modifying layer on a surface of a feature of interest disposed on a wafer, removing material from the wafer using a chemical mechanical polishing process, directing light onto a surface of the wafer and using light reflected from a surface of the wafer to determine when the optical property modifying layer has been reached, and stopping the chemical mechanical polishing process in response to the determination that the optical property modifying layer has been reached. A wafer for use in manufacturing a magnetic recording head is also included. The wafer comprises a substrate, a pattern including an optical property modifying layer on a surface of a feature of interest supported by the substrate, and a dielectric layer positioned on the optical property modifying layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording on a recording medium. The magnetic recording device includes a magnetic pole and a C-aperture structure disposed adjacent the magnetic pole. A focusing element receives light from a light source and focuses the received light onto the C-aperture structure, such that the light incident upon the C-aperture structure and a magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic pole are co-locatable on a recording medium disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording device. The focusing element may include a planar waveguide receiving and focusing the light onto the C-aperture structure.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus and method reduces oxidation of thermodynamically unstable and oxidizable ionic species in an electroplating solution to deposit complex magnetic alloys onto substrates. In one embodiment, the electroplating apparatus comprises an electroplating cell in which oxidation of oxidizable anions and cations is reduced. The cell comprises (i) an anode compartment comprising an anode and anolyte solution; and (ii) a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and catholyte solution containing oxidizable plating anions. A cation-selective semi-permeable membrane separates the anode and cathode compartments. An electrical power supply is used to maintain a voltage across the anode and cathode. Upon application of the voltage to the anode and cathode, transport of the oxidizable plating anions, and to a lesser degree cations, to the anode is substantially blocked by the cation-selective semi-permeable membrane, thereby reducing oxidation of the oxidizable anions and cations at the anode.