Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a seal between members of an assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal is formed between a first member and a second member by establishing within the members a bounded volume and creating within the bounded volume a pressure differential with respect to the ambient pressure outside the bounded volume. The pressure differential results in a uniformly applied clamping force to the members thereby creating a reliable seal. A sealing member (such as solder, epoxy, or other sealant) is positioned between the first and second members and the resulting assembly is mechanically positioned such that heat can then be applied to melt the solder. Concurrently, the pressure differential is created which allows the externally applied mechanical positioning to be relaxed while the members are being sealed together. This system and method can be used to create hermetic seals.

Abstract: A device for precision alignment of a write element of a tape head to a transport direction of a media that is transported across the tape head is disclosed. The tape head includes at least one alignment element that is cofabricated with the write element so that both the write element and the alignment element have a fixed orientation with respect to a magnetic axis of the tape head. The alignment element and the write element can be fabricated on the tape head using standard microelectronic photolithographic processes. Preferably, the tape head includes a plurality of alignment elements. Those alignment elements are operative to write alignment transitions onto the media. The alignment transitions can be observed to determine if they are indicative of the write element having a predetermined orientation with respect to the transport direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a seal between members of an assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal is formed between a first member and a second member by creating a near vacuum with respect to the members to be sealed. The vacuum results in a uniformly applied clamping force to the members thereby creating a reliable seal. A sealing member (such as solder) is positioned between first and second members and the resulting assembly is mechanically positioned such that heat can then be applied to melt the solder. Concurrently, a vacuum is created within the assembly, thereby allowing the externally applied mechanical pressure to be relaxed. The created vacuum allows the members to seal together without externally applied forces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting optical path length of an optical path are provided. The systems and methods can be used to controllably adjust optical path length in an external cavity laser. A representative optical path having a first end and a second end comprises a first transparent refractive element located in the optical path between the first end and the second end. The transparent refractive element is adjustable to adjust the optical path length of the optical path without changing the physical distance between the first end and the second end. A representative method includes introducing a transparent refractive element into the optical path and adjusting the transparent refractive element to change the optical path length without changing the physical distance between the first end and the second end of the optical path.

Abstract: A device for precision alignment of a write element of a tape head to a transport direction of a media that is transported across the tape head is disclosed. The tape head includes at least one alignment element that is cofabricated with the write element so that both the write element and the alignment element have a fixed orientation with respect to a magnetic axis of the tape head. The alignment element and the write element can be fabricated on the tape head using standard microelectronic photolithographic processes. Preferably, the tape head includes a plurality of alignment elements. Those alignment elements are operative to write alignment transitions onto the media. The alignment transitions can be observed to determine if they are indicative of the write element having a predetermined orientation with respect to the transport direction.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application an planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition with low linewidth variation. Non-magnetic material is photolithographically defined to produce gaps above a spacer. The non-magnetic material may be photoresist, semiconductor materials, glass, metal or the like. The material may even be removed later to leave air gaps. Additionally, a lower ferrite wafer may be mated to the upper ferrite wafer to complete a magnetic circuit around the gaps. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce ware of the tape and of the head.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reliably and accurately measuring the gap between two materials when the depth of gap is less than the smallest distance that an optical thickness gauge (OTG) is able to measure. The invention is practiced by forming a suitable slot (or a groove, channel, hole or other suitable deformation) having a precisely known depth in at least one material. The sum of the distance of the gap and the depth of the slot is at least equal to the smallest distance that the OTG can measure. The slot is positioned over the materials and under the OTG probe head such that a cavity is formed. The depth of the cavity is measured. Since the distance of the slot is known, the depth of the gap is determined by subtracting the known depth of the slot from the measured depth of the cavity.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape.

Abstract: A head design that reduces wear at the leading and trailing edges where the tape contacts the head while minimizing any adverse effects on the performance of the head. In one embodiment of the invention, a localized layer of wear resistant material is formed on the leading edge where the tape contacts the head before passing over the head recording surface. In a second embodiment, the leading edge is formed as wear resistant material embedded in the head structure adjacent to the recording surface. And, in a third embodiment, the leading edge is formed as a wear resistant material strip affixed to the side of the head structure. For each embodiment, the wear resistant material may also be applied in the manner described to the trailing edge where the tape may also contact the head after passing over the recording surface.

Abstract: A head design that reduces wear at the leading and trailing edges where the tape contacts the head while minimizing any adverse effects on the performance of the head. In one embodiment of the invention, a localized layer of wear resistant material is formed on the leading edge where the tape contacts the head before passing over the head recording surface. In a second embodiment, the leading edge is formed as wear resistant material embedded in the head structure adjacent to the recording surface. And, in a third embodiment, the leading edge is formed as a wear resistant material strip affixed to the side of the head structure. For each embodiment, the wear resistant material may also be applied in the manner described to the trailing edge where the tape may also contact the head after passing over the recording surface.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape.

Abstract: A head design that reduces wear at the leading and trailing edges where the tape contacts the head while minimizing any adverse effects on the performance of the head. In one embodiment of the invention, a localized layer of wear resistant material is formed on the leading edge where the tape contacts the head before passing over the head recording surface. In a second embodiment, the leading edge is formed as wear resistant material embedded in the head structure adjacent to the recording surface. And, in a third embodiment, the leading edge is formed as a wear resistant material strip affixed to the side of the head structure. For each embodiment, the wear resistant material may also be applied in the manner described to the trailing edge where the tape may also contact the head after passing over the recording surface.

Abstract: A servo head having a substantially planar head surface and a leading rounded edge is disclosed with a technique of utilizing the disclosed servo head to write to tape passing over the planar head surface, the tape separate from the servo head by an air bearing. The rounded leading edge on the head creates the air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form the air bearing between the head surface and the tape. A rounded trailing edge may be disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape passes over the trailing edge after passing over the head surface.

Abstract: A device for formatting a linear data storage tape includes a servo write head configured to write a pattern of magnetic transition stripes along a servo band of the linear data storage tape. The servo write head is configured to produce stripes having lateral widths that are significantly greater than that of a servo read element of a data read/write head designed for use with the linear data storage tape. Each stripe has either a positive non-zero azimuth or a negative non-zero azimuth. The device also includes a magnetic readback element that produces a servo verify signal. The magnetic readback element extends laterally across the full widths of the magnetic transition stripes and is oriented at an azimuth between the positive and negative non-zero azimuths of the magnetic transition stripes. A pulse detector is configured to detect pulses in the servo verify signal.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition with low linewidth variation. Non-magnetic material is photolithographically defined to produce gaps above the spacer. The non-magnetic material may be photoresist, semiconductor materials, glass, metal or the like. The material may even be removed later to leave air gaps. The non-magnetic material forms a region where the field loops out to intersect the passing tape, thereby transferring a magnetic pattern to tape. Additionally, a lower ferrite wafer may be mated to the upper ferrite wafer to complete a magnetic circuit around the gaps.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly and method are designed to include a substantially inflexible support arm mounted at one end to an actuator motor in a data storage disk drive system. At the opposite end of the support arm is a gimbal. An air bearing slider having at least one read/write head is connected to the gimbal. The gimbal is adapted to accommodate pitch and roll motion and is compliant in the direction perpendicular to a surface of the data storage medium to be read. The gimbal is parallel-coupled with a load spring that is connected to the support arm to apply a load force. This arrangement improves the shock-resistance characteristics of the suspension assembly, since the support arm does not add to the inertial force caused by accelerations from shock events. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical connection to the read/write head is via electrical traces that are printed onto the support arm and gimbal.

Abstract: A high density helical scan recording device having write/wide-read heads and RAW/narrow-read heads of different widths to permit an increase in the density of data tracks and to allow backward compatibility for reading and recording conventional density data tracks. The write/wide-read heads are used to record data in tracks of either the conventional density or the high density. The write/wide-read heads are also selected to read conventional density data tracks. The RAW/narrow-read heads have a reduced width that permits reading of data tracks in which greater than two-thirds of each data track has been overlapped by an adjacent data track. The RAW/narrow-read heads are used in a read-after-write (RAW) capacity and are used during a read operation of the high-density data tracks.

Abstract: A system for reading and writing binary information onto at least one optical recording surface of a magneto-optical disk includes a hydrodynamic bearing for traveling above the optical recording surface of the magneto-optical disk, an objective lens carried by the hydrodynamic bearing for focusing laser light to heat selected areas on the optical recording surface, and a magnetic writing head also carried by the hydrodynamic bearing for recording selected magnetic orientations, representing binary states, onto the heated areas on the magneto-optical memory disk.

Abstract: A tape cartridge containing a pair of spools between which tape is fed and containing a brake that can stop rotation of the spools when no power is being applied to feed the tape. A passive mechanical embodiment is shown in which tension in the tape is used to release the brake.