Abstract: A system and method for patterning a master disk or “stamper” to be used for nanoimprinting magnetic recording disks uses an air-bearing slider that supports an aperture structure within the optical near-field of a resist layer on a rotating master disk substrate. Laser pulses directed to the input side of the aperture are output to the resist layer. The aperture structure includes a metal film reflective to the laser radiation with the aperture formed in it. The aperture has a size less than the wavelength of the incident laser radiation and is maintained by the air-bearing slider near the resist layer to within the radiation wavelength. The timing of the laser pulses is controlled to form a pattern of exposed regions in the resist layer, with this pattern ultimately resulting in the desired pattern of data islands and nondata islands in the magnetic recording disks when they are nanoimprinted by the master disk.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium of the type that has spaced-apart pillars with magnetic material on their ends and with nonmagnetic trenches between the pillars is made with a method that allows use of a pre-etched substrate. The substrate has a generally planar surface at the trenches and comprises material that when heated will diffuse into the magnetic recording layer material and chemically react with one or more of the elements typically used in the recording layer. The pillars are formed of material that will not diffuse into the recording layer. After the recording layer is formed over the entire substrate so as to cover both the pillar ends and the trenches, the substrate is annealed. This results in the destruction or at least substantial reduction of any ferromagnetism in the recording layer material in the trenches so that the trenches are nonmagnetic.

Abstract: The media heating device of the magnetic head includes an optical resonant cavity produces a high intensity near-field optical beam of subwavelength dimension adjacent to the write pole. A suitable resonant cavity may be a spherical cavity, disk shaped cavity, ring shaped cavity, racetrack shaped cavity, micropillar cavity, photonic crystal cavity and Fabry-Perot cavity. The cavity is fabricated as a planar thin film structure in layers that are generally parallel to the magnetic pole thin film layers of the magnetic head, such that the principal axis of the resonant cavity is parallel to the air bearing surface (ABS). Optical energy is coupled into the resonant cavity through a waveguide that is placed proximate the cavity, and optical energy is coupled out of the cavity through an aperture that is placed within the cavity. A preferred embodiment may include a nano-aperture disposed between the resonant cavity and the ABS.

Abstract: A subwavelength aperture includes a plurality of ridges that project from an aperture sidewall into the aperture opening. The ridges may be closely spaced such that the hot spots associated with the ridges are likewise closely spaced and create an elongated hot spot. The subwavelength aperture of the present invention may be adapted for use in a magnetic head of a hard disk drive for improved thermally assisted recording (TAR) of magnetic data bits. Such a magnetic head may include an optical resonant cavity that is fabricated within the magnetic head structure.

Abstract: A method of the present invention is presented for deep etching of features on a surface. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having a surface selected to undergo a feature etching process and coating the substrate surface with a protective layer and an imprintable layer. The coated substrate is then subjected to a feature imprinting and etching process. Subsequent to the feature etching process, exposed portions of the protective layer are removed, exposing a well-defined, topographically patterned substrate. In addition, an apparatus for undergoing a feature etching process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substrate, an imprintable layer selected to undergo an imprinting process, and a protective layer positioned between the substrate and the imprintable layer.

Abstract: A method for making a master mold to be used for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks results in a master mold having topographic pillars arranged in a pattern of annular bands of concentric rings. The ratio of circumferential density of the pillars to the radial density of the concentric rings in a band is greater than 1. The method uses sidewall lithography to first form a pattern of generally radially-directed pairs of parallel lines on the master mold substrate, with the lines being grouped into annular zones or bands. The sidewall lithography process can be repeated, resulting in a doubling of the number of lines each time the process is repeated. Conventional lithography is used to form concentric rings over the radially-directed pairs of parallel lines. After etching and resist removal, the master mold has pillars arranged in circular rings, with the rings grouped into annular bands.

Abstract: Methods of defining servo patterns and data patterns for forming patterned magnetic media are described. For one method, a lithographic process is performed to define a servo pattern in servo regions on a substrate. The lithographic process also defines a first data pattern in data regions of the substrate. The first data pattern is then transferred to (i.e., etched into) the data regions. Self-assembly structures are then formed on the data pattern in the data regions to define a second data pattern. The servo pattern is then transferred to the servo regions and the second data pattern is transferred to the data regions. Thus, the servo pattern is defined through lithographic processes while the data pattern is defined by a combination of lithographic processes and self-assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for increasing data storage density in patterned media. One or more deposition sources may apply magnetic material to one or more recesses formed in a substrate, each recess having opposing sidewalls that are effectively coated by the deposition sources. The top surface of the substrate may subsequently be planarized to remove magnetic material from such surface, thereby isolating one or more recordable magnetic regions formed on each sidewall. In this manner, the present invention may provide at least two recordable regions for every recess formed in a substrate.

Abstract: An airflow shroud for either a moving-slider-type or a moving-head-type microactuator of a disk drive reduces off-track motion of a read/write element for either a moving-slider-type microactuator or a moving-head-type microactuator. One configuration of the airflow shroud includes a frame portion and an attachment portion. The frame portion has an opening suitable for exposing an air bearing surface of a slider for a disk drive and surrounds the slider and a moving-slider-type microactuator coupled to the slider. The attachment portion is adapted for attachment to a suspension of a disk drive. Another configuration includes a plate portion and a recessed portion. The plate portion is attachable to a slider having a moving-head-type microactuator. The recessed portion corresponds to the moving-head-type microactuator of the slider.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized.

Abstract: The invention is a moving-slider rotary piezoelectric microactuator as the secondary actuator for a dual-stage actuator disk drive. The microactuator has a substrate attached to the disk drive suspension and a rotatable frame that supports the slider, so the head-suspension assembly includes the suspension, the microactuator and the slider with attached read/write head. The rotatable frame is attached to a fixed post on the substrate by relatively stiff torsional springs. A piezoelectric driver having a fixed end attached to the substrate provides bidirectional linear displacement of its movable end. The microactuator has a displacement amplification mechanism that includes a connecting rod and a linkage that translates the linear displacement of the driver to amplified orthogonal linear displacement of the rod. The connecting rod is attached to the rotatable frame at a radial distance to cause rotary movement of the frame, and thereby cross-track displacement of the read/write head on the slider.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium of the type that has spaced-apart pillars with magnetic material on their ends and with nonmagnetic trenches between the pillars is made with a method that allows use of a pre-etched substrate. The substrate has a generally planar surface at the trenches and comprises material that when heated will diffuse into the magnetic recording layer material and chemically react with one or more of the elements typically used in the recording layer. The pillars are formed of material that will not diffuse into the recording layer. After the recording layer is formed over the entire substrate so as to cover both the pillar ends and the trenches, the substrate is annealed. This results in the destruction or at least substantial reduction of any ferromagnetism in the recording layer material in the trenches so that the trenches are nonmagnetic.

Abstract: A disk drive with a dual-stage actuator has a moving-slider rotary piezoelectric microactuator as the secondary actuator. The microactuator has a substrate attached to the disk drive suspension. A rotatable frame that supports the slider is attached to a fixed post on the substrate by relatively stiff torsional springs. A piezoelectric driver having a fixed end attached to the substrate provides bidirectional linear displacement of its movable end. The microactuator includes a displacement amplification mechanism. In one embodiment an arm or connecting rod is located between the driver's movable end and the frame. A linkage between the movable end of the driver and a first end of the connecting rod translates the linear displacement of the driver to amplified orthogonal linear displacement of the rod. The second end of the rod is attached to the rotatable frame at a radial distance to cause rotary movement of the frame, and thereby cross-track displacement of the read/write head on the slider.

Abstract: A method for producing high resolution nano-imprinting masters is disclosed. The method inverts the negative features of an exposed and developed positive e-beam resist to positive features in the patterned silicon nitride layer of the nano-imprinting master. A first, oxidation resistant, mask layer is used to pattern a DLC layer deposited on the silicon nitride layer. After patterning the DLC layer, the negative features of the DLC layer are filled with deposited metal, which creates a second mask layer subsequent to the removal of the remaining DLC layer. The second mask layer is used to etch the silicon nitride layer, creating the final nano-imprinting master.

Abstract: A method for producing high resolution nano-imprinting masters is disclosed. The method inverts the negative features of an exposed and developed positive e-beam resist to positive features in the patterned silicon nitride layer of the nano-imprinting master. A first, oxidation resistant, mask layer is used to pattern a DLC layer deposited on the silicon nitride layer. After patterning the DLC layer, the negative features of the DLC layer are filled with deposited metal, which creates a second mask layer subsequent to the removal of the remaining DLC layer. The second mask layer is used to etch the silicon nitride layer, creating the final nano-imprnting master.

Abstract: A micro-fabricated chip having a stationary structure and a movable structure with a gimbal structure allows pitch and roll motion of the movable structure with respect to the stationary structure. One embodiment of the gimbal structure includes a dimple surface making a rolling-type contact with the stationary structure, and a center bar and a plurality of bar members. An alternative embodiment of the gimbal structure includes a plurality of torsion bar members. Another alternative embodiment of the gimbal structure includes a plurality of flexible members. The micro-fabricated chip can be a passive chip structure or, alternatively, a microactuator having a movable structure that moves in a rotational direction or a translational direction with respect to the stationary structure.

Abstract: Methods are provided for configuring and invoking command sequences from a remote control (RC) keystroke in a multimedia system of networked devices. The configuring method comprises: selecting a multimedia configuration menu; selecting an RC key; selecting a multimedia command to associate with the RC key; selecting a multimedia source associated with the multimedia command; selecting a multimedia destination associated with the multimedia command; in response to associating multimedia commands with RC keys, generating an RC key map cross-referencing RC keys to multimedia commands; and, storing the RC key map in permanent memory.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for accessing discontinuous media tracks. The apparatus, in one embodiment, accesses discontinuous media tracks of a storage medium having one or more independently formed storage regions thereon. Each storage region may include a set of track segments. A memory may be provided to store track offset information for each storage region. A mapping module may collect track offset information, calculate a physical offset between adjacent storage regions, define a track, create a table, and store the track offset information in the memory. The apparatus may further include a tracking module to sense a position of a head relative to a centerline of a track segment within a current storage region, access offset information, and align a storage head with a closely aligned track segment within a subsequent storage region. Consequently, discontinuous media tracks may be accessed by a storage access device.

Abstract: A bidirectional electrostatic rotary microactuator has two sets of fixed electrodes, one set for driving the microactuator counterclockwise and the other set for driving it clockwise, and a rotatable frame that has movable electrodes attached to its outer wall and interleaved between the fixed electrodes. A layer of insulating material is located between the outer wall to which the movable electrodes are attached and the remainder of the frame so that the movable electrodes are electrically isolated. The frame is maintained at ground electrical potential and the movable electrodes at a fixed non-zero electrical potential. The microactuator is driven by applying a plus or minus voltage to one set of fixed electrodes and the opposite voltage to the other set, while maintaining the movable electrodes at a fixed non-zero voltage. The microactuator is usable as a secondary actuator in a disk drive for fine positioning the read/write head.

Abstract: Methods are provided for configuring and invoking command sequences from a remote control (RC) keystroke in a multimedia system of networked devices. The configuring method comprises: selecting a multimedia configuration menu; selecting an RC key; selecting a multimedia command to associate with the RC key; selecting a multimedia source associated with the multimedia command; selecting a multimedia destination associated with the multimedia command; in response to associating multimedia commands with RC keys, generating an RC key map cross-referencing RC keys to multimedia commands; and, storing the RC key map in permanent memory.