Abstract: Method of making solid-state electrolyte with composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12. The method includes making a polymerized complex of the metal-ions of the composition formula, and making an agglomerate therefrom to be calcined and sintered to produce the solid-state electrolyte. A solid-state electrolyte with the composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12 with superior ionic conductivity by choice of the value of x and processing conditions. A battery employing a solid-state electrolyte of superior ionic conductivity with the composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12.

Abstract: Firearm ammunition, projectiles and method of making such projectiles. The projectiles include a body formed of composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material, a cavity in the body, and a heat source located in the cavity of the body. During flight of the projectile, the heat source increases the temperature of the matrix material such that the body at least partially disintegrates after the projectile travels a distance or period of time after being fired (propelled) from a firearm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized graphene oxide (APTES-GO) wrapped SiO2 particle composite (SiO2@APTES-GO) was prepared via the self-assembly process of APTES-GO sheets and SiO2 particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) confirmed wrapping of the SiO2 particles by the APTES-GO sheets. A biosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was constructed and used to sensitively detect dengue DNA and dengue RNA via primer hybridization using different oligonucleotide sequences. The results demonstrated that the SiO2@APTES-GO electrode material led to enhanced sensitivity, selectivity and detection limit, compared to both APTES-GO and APTES-SiO2.

Abstract: Firearm ammunition, projectiles and method of making such projectiles. The projectiles include a body formed of composite material with at least one particulate material dispersed in a matrix material, a cavity in the body, and a heat source located in the cavity of the body. During flight of the projectile, the heat source increases the temperature of the matrix material such that the body at least partially disintegrates after the projectile travels a distance or period of time after being fired (propelled) from a firearm.

Abstract: Method of making solid-state electrolyte with composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12. The method includes making a polymerized complex of the metal-ions of the composition formula, and making an agglomerate therefrom to be calcined and sintered to produce the solid-state electrolyte. A solid-state electrolyte with the composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12 with superior ionic conductivity by choice of the value of x and processing conditions. A battery employing a solid-state electrolyte of superior ionic conductivity with the composition formula Li7-xLa3Zr2-xBixO12.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a granular cobalt alloy recording layer (RL) containing on the “soft” magnetic underlayer (SUL). The SUL is doped with judiciously chosen elements or alloys or is capped or intercalated with said elements or metal alloy layers. The resulting disk and the SUL in particular has good recording properties, improved mechanical strength and improved corrosion resistance over a comparable disk without the doping or thin layers.

Abstract: An Extraordinary Magnetoresistive Sensor (EMR Sensor) having wide voltage lead tabs for reduced noise and increased signal to noise ratio. The leads can be formed in a triad structure, wherein a pair of voltage leads is located at either side of a current lead, or can be formed in a diad structure having a single voltage lead located at one side of a current lead.

Abstract: A system method and apparatus for determining a position error signal (PES) for servo tracking in a data recording system using a data track. The PES is determined using a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors offset from one another by certain predetermined distances in a direction perpendicular to the track direction. Correlation functions can be determined for pairs of sensors in the sensor array based on the signals read by the sensors. The results of these correlation functions can then be used to determine a PES by using a look up table or computational processor.

Abstract: A method for making a perpendicular magnetic recording disk that has a hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) granular cobalt alloy recording layer (RL) containing an additive oxide or oxides grown on an a hcp intermediate layer (IL) involves roughening the surface of the IL. The IL, which is typically hcp Ru or Ru alloy, is deposited at substantially lower sputtering pressure than in the prior art, which results in less of a columnar structure for the IL and a smoother IL surface. The relatively smooth surface of the IL is then modified with ion bombardment, such as by sputter etching in Ar, to provide a “nano-roughed” surface onto which the RL is grown. The roughened surface of the IL promotes the grain segregation in the RL as the RL grows. However, because the IL has less of a columnar structure there are fewer pathways for water and corrosive agents.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a granular cobalt alloy recording layer (RL) containing an additive oxide or oxides, an intermediate layer (IL) as an exchange-break layer on the “soft” magnetic underlayer (SUL), and an ultrathin nucleation film (NF) between the IL and the RL. In the method of making the disk, the IL is deposited at a relatively low sputtering pressure, to thereby reduce the roughness of the RL and overcoat (OC), while the NF and RL are deposited at substantially higher sputtering pressures. The resulting disk has good recording properties and improved corrosion resistance over a comparable disk made with an IL deposited at high sputtering pressure and without the NF. The NF may be a discontinuous film with an average thickness of less than about 1 nm.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided, having two bias layers separated by a decoupling layer to eliminate exchange coupling between the bias layers. The two bias layers may have differing coercivities, such that the biases provided by the bias layers to the free layer are independently adjustable. The grain structures of the two bias layers may be substantially decorrelated by the decoupling layer.

Abstract: An improved structure for the construction of perpendicular recording media is disclosed. The structure includes a tri-layer IML resident between a soft under layer CoTaZr film and a CoPtCr—SiO2 magnetic media. In an embodiment, the tri-layer comprises a RuxCr1-x layer over dual nucleation layers of Ni—Fe and Ni—Fe—Cr. The tri-layer replaces the typical Ru and Ni—Fe intermediate layers of the prior art, resulting in considerable improvement in lattice matching between the Ru containing intermediate layer and the CoPtCr—SiO2 magnetic media, further resulting in improved magnetic media performance.

Abstract: A method for patterning a recording medium selectively thermally couples a recording medium and a heat source to alter a chemical composition of the recording medium. An apparatus for patterning a recording medium has a heat source for generating and directing an incident thermal wave to a recording medium so as to alter a chemical composition of the recording medium, and a controller for coordinating a mutual position of the incident thermal wave and the recording medium for inducing a direct thermal coupling between the recording medium and the heat source.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording medium having an underlayer structure that improves the microstructural properties of the recording layer. A spacer layer is intercalated between the lower and upper hcp metal layers. This results in improvements in microstructure of the upper hcp metal layer and the recording magnetic layer, which in turn results in gains in recording media performance. Further, the thickness of the upper hcp metal layer can be reduced, thereby reducing the distance between the recording layer and the soft underlayer, providing further gains in recording media performance.

Abstract: An integrated servo and read device implementing Extraordinary Magnetoresistive (EMR) sensors. In one embodiment, dedicated EMR sensors are employed: one for data reading and one for servo operations. The sensors are preferably configured in an abutted configuration. In addition to magnetic recording systems, the device is also useful in a magnetic imaging device such as a scanning magnetometer. The integrated device may also be useful in other devices requiring a high sensitivity, high resolution sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a sensor which employs the “Hall effect”. In one illustrative example, the sensor includes a generally planar body made of a semiconductor heterostructure; first and second contacts comprising first and second drains, respectively, which are formed over a first end of the body and spaced equally apart from a centerline of the body; and a third contact comprising a source formed over a second end of the body which is opposite the first end of the body. The semiconductor heterostructure is comprised of a high mobility two-dimensional electron or hole gas close to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head so as to be exposed to magnetic field lines substantially normal to it from magnetically recorded bits. Advantageously, the sensor does not require magnetic materials utilized in conventional sensors and therefore does not suffer from magnetic noise associated therewith.

Abstract: A contact magnetic transfer (CMT) master template with antiferromagnetically-coupled (AF-coupled) magnetic islands is used for transferring a magnetic pattern, such as a servo pattern, to a magnetic recording disk. The template is a rigid or flexible substrate with each magnetic island being two ferromagnetic films antiferromagnetically-coupled by an antiferromagnetically-coupling (AFC) film. In the presence of the applied magnetic field the magnetic moments of the two ferromagnetic films are parallel and substantially identical so they generate a magnetic field that cancels the applied field in the region of the slave disk facing the islands. However, when the applied field is removed, any residual magnetization results in the remanent moments in the two ferromagnetic films being oriented antiparallel as a result of the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling across the AFC film. Thus the islands have no net remanent magnetic moment that can affect the servo pattern transferred to the recording disk.

Abstract: A contact magnetic transfer (CMT) method for forming a magnetic pattern, such as the servo pattern on a magnetic recording disk, uses a master template with antiferromagnetically-coupled (AF-coupled) magnetic islands. The template is a rigid or flexible substrate with each magnetic island being two ferromagnetic films antiferromagnetically-coupled by an antiferromagnetically-coupling (AFC) film. In the presence of the applied magnetic field the magnetic moments of the two ferromagnetic films are parallel and substantially identical so they generate a magnetic field that cancels the applied field in the region of the slave disk facing the islands. However, when the applied field is removed, any residual magnetization results in the remanent moments in the two ferromagnetic films being oriented antiparallel as a result of the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling across the AFC film. Thus the islands have no net remanent magnetic moment that can affect the servo pattern transferred to the recording disk.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided, having two bias layers separated by a decoupling layer to eliminate exchange coupling between the bias layers. The two bias layers may have differing coercivities, such that the biases provided by the bias layers to the free layer are independently adjustable. The grain structures of the two bias layers may be substantially decorrelated by the decoupling layer.

Abstract: A thin film disk for use in magnetic recording with an underlayer structure that includes a layer of CrMoZr, CrMoNb or CrMoMn is described. The preferred embodiment includes a circumferentially textured glass substrate, a pre-seed layer, a B2 seed layer, an underlayer structure and a magnetic layer stack with a plurality of layers. The preferred underlayer structure has a first underlayer of CrTi followed by a second underlayer of CrMoZr. The preferred B2 seed layer material is RuAl. The preferred pre-seed layer is CrTiAl. The preferred magnetic layer stack is CoCr/CoPtCrB/CoPtCrBCu. The preferred embodiment is useful for longitudinal magnetic recording. The in-plane crystallographic orientation, the Mrt orientation ratio and the media SNR are improved by the inclusion of the CrMoZr, CrMoNb or CrMoMn according to the invention.