Abstract: Magnetic recording media with a thermal spin injection layer that induces a spin injection in a magnetic recording layer in response to a thermal gradient in the thermal spin injection layer. The thermal spin injection layer may comprise an antiferromagnetic, a ferromagnetic, or a ferrimagnetic material that demonstrates a Spin Seebeck effect. In turn, when heating the magnetic recording media (e.g., with a near field transducer of a HAMR drive), the thermal gradient may be established in the thermal spin injection layer. A resulting spin torque field may assist in switching a magnetic domain in the magnetic recording layer by providing an assistive field to at least initiate switching of the magnetic domain. In turn, more reliable or efficient operation of a storage drive comprising the magnetic recording media may be realized.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a microwave-assisted magnetic recording slider body. The body includes a write pole, a trailing shield, a spin torque oscillator, and an amplifying structure. The write pole extends from the air bearing surface into the slider body for a first distance, and the trailing shield extends from the air bearing surface into the slider body for a second distance. The spin torque oscillator is disposed proximate and between the write pole and the trailing shield at the air bearing surface and extends into the slider body for a third distance that is less than the first and second distances. The amplifying structure comprises a stepped portion and a gap, is recessed from the air bearing surface and disposed proximate the spin torque oscillator. The gap has a first interface with the write pole and a second interface with the trailing shield, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces forms the stepped portion.

Abstract: A pattern is pre-written using a pre-erase or pre-conditioning magnetic field applied within at least part of a target track of a hard disk via a first write transducer prior to the target track being written. Subsequent to the pre-writing, target user data is written to the part of the target track.

Abstract: A later spin valve multi-reader includes at least two spin detectors, a spin injector and a spin diffusion medium. The spin diffusion medium bridges the spin detectors and the spin injector. Each of the spin detectors detects a unique spin accumulation signal.