Patents by Inventor Hau-Ching Tong

Hau-Ching Tong has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Data storage and retrieval apparatus with thin film read head having a planar sensor element and an extra gap and method of fabrication thereof
    Patent number: 6801408
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a read sensor which includes a shield, a sensor element, a read gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element, and an extra gap positioned between the shield and the sensor element and adjacent the read gap. The sensor element is positioned in a sensor layer. With the sensor element and the shield separated by only the relatively thin gap layer, high sensitivity of the sensor element is obtained. Further, by placing the relatively thick extra gap between the shield and the sensor layer and about the sensor element, the potential for shorting is minimized. The shield can be planarized to keep the read gap and the sensor layer at, and about, the sensor element substantially planar. This, in turn, results in improved control of sensor track widths and greatly reduces the potential for pooling of photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjian Chen, Ronald A. Barr, Hau-Ching Tong