Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes forming an electric lapping guide layer; forming a write pole; forming a first gap layer over the write pole; masking a portion of the first gap layer for defining a window over the write pole and at least a portion of the electric lapping guide layer; and forming a bump over the write pole in the window. Additional methods and systems are presented.

Abstract: Patterned magnetic media are described in which the servo sectors include at least two PES offset segments that can be used for the position error signal (PES) and identification of local track position. The two PES offset segments deviate from the track centerline in opposite directions. The lengths of the offset PES offset segments are systematically varied in a repeating pattern to provide a unique servo signal pattern for each track in a local group of adjacent tracks. The locally unique servo sector pattern allows the servo system to use the pattern of the signals generated from the offset and non-offset segments to determine the local track position, which is similar to information provided by the low order Gray code bits in prior art designs. Therefore, the number of bits in the track ID code can be reduced.

Abstract: Patterned discrete track magnetic media compatible with the constraints imposed by the use of self-assembly technology are described in which the PES servo portion of each servo sector has at least one offset segment used for the position error signal (PES). The downtrack length of the PES offset segment systematically varies according to the track position to encode information about the track position usable by the servo system. The downtrack length of the offset segment and, therefore, the time between the corresponding signal shifts is systematically varied from the inner diameter (ID) to the outer diameter (OD) according to the track position to provide coarse information to the servo system even if part of the track ID code cannot be read. Alternative embodiments include a preamble timing mark formed by another offset segment. A self-servo writing method is described using the preamble timing marks.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling of an imprint lithography template. The imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate and the other being optically smooth to unobstructably pass UV light. In one embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark on the exposed portion of the first side of the template. The method also includes depositing an opaque material on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material.

Abstract: Disk drive systems and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed for a write head having an integrated coil and shield structure. The write head includes a write pole having a pole tip adjacent to an air bearing surface, and a return pole having a surface adjacent to the air bearing surface. The write pole and the return pole are connected to one another by a back gap section that is distal from the air bearing surface. The write head also includes a coil formed from electrically conductive materials. The coil includes a segment that is formed proximate to the air bearing surface. The coil segment is formed from a ferromagnetic material so that the coil segment acts as a shield for the write pole.

Abstract: Write elements and methods of fabricating magnetic write poles are described. For one method, a vertical mask structure is formed on a magnetic layer in locations of a pole tip and a yoke of a write pole. The vertical mask structure may be formed by coating vertical surfaces of resists with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process or a similar process. A removal process is then performed around the vertical mask structure to define the pole tip and part of the yoke of the write pole, and the vertical mask structure is removed. A lower portion of the pole tip is them masked while the upper portion of the pole tip and the part of the yoke is exposed. The upper portion of the pole tip and the part of the yoke are then expanded with magnetic material, such as with a plating process.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The write head has a secondary flare point defined by magnetic structures that extend from the sides of the write pole, but not over the trailing edge of the write pole. The magnetic structures each have a front edge that defines the secondary flare point. By constructing the magnetic structures so that they only extend from the sides of the write pole and not over the write pole, they can be formed by electroplating, while leafing the mask structure (used to define the write pole) still intact, thereby greatly simplifying manufacture and preventing damage to the write pole during manufacture.

Abstract: A method for forming a tapered, electroplated structure. The method involves forming a first mask structure having an opening. A shrink material is deposited into the opening, such that the thickness of the shrink material is less than the thickness of the first mask structure. The first mask structure and the shrink material are then heated causing the sides of the opening in the mask structure to bulge inward. The shrink material is then removed, and a first electrically conductive material can then be electroplated into the opening to a thickness that is much less than the thickness of the mask. The bulbous shaped of the deformed photoresist mask forms a taper on the first electrically conductive material. The first mask can then be removed and a second electrically conductive material can be electroplated over the first electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Methods and structures for improving fly height control for thin film write heads utilized in thermally assisted recording are disclosed. Methods include the use of the TAR near field light source to provide a preheating pulse to improve the transient response when moving from one fly height to another prior to writing data. Methods and structures having an additional auxiliary optical heating source to avoid media overheating and replacement of embedded resistive heaters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for manufacturing high density magnetic media is disclosed. A flexible mold having a very low modulus of less than about 4 GPa is made on a rigid support. The mold nano-imprints a resist material on disks for hard disk drives. The flexible mold may comprise a perfluoropolyether with urethane acrylate end groups with a low surface adhesion from which the cured resist is easily released.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling of an imprint lithography template. The imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate and the other being optically smooth to unobstructably pass UV light. In one embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark on the exposed portion of the first side of the template. The method also includes depositing an opaque material on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material.

Abstract: A magnetic structure, such as a pole tip, and method for forming the same includes forming a pole tip layer of magnetic material. A layer of polyimide precursor material is added above the pole tip layer and cured. A silicon-containing resist layer is added above the layer of polyimide precursor material and patterned. The resist layer is exposed to oxygen plasma for converting the resist into a glass-like material. Exposed portions of the cured polyimide precursor material are removed for exposing portions of the pole tip layer. The exposed portions of the pole tip layer are removed for forming a pole tip. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) can then be performed to remove any unwanted material remaining above the pole tip.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment comprises using a heating device, inducing localized heating on a magnetic medium during a recording operation; detecting a temperature in a vicinity of the heating device; detecting a current of the heating device; and performing an action if a function of at least one of the temperature and the current is outside an acceptable operation zone. A method according to another embodiment comprises selecting an initial current of a heating device for inducing localized heating on a magnetic medium during recording operations; initiating the heating device; performing recording operations; monitoring a temperature in a vicinity of the heating device during the recording operations; and if a function of the temperature and the current is outside an acceptable operation zone, changing an operating parameter such that the function of the temperature and the current is in the acceptable operation zone.

Abstract: Write heads and corresponding methods of fabrication are provided using multiple electronic lapping guides to collect information regarding multiple distances of a write head, such as a throat height and a flare point distance of a write pole. A method of fabricating a write head includes fabricating a write pole and a corresponding write pole ELG. The method further includes fabricating a trailing shield and a corresponding trailing shield ELG. The method further includes performing a lapping process on the write head, and monitoring a lapping depth of the lapping process based on the resistance of the write pole ELG and the resistance of the trailing shield ELG.

Abstract: A method for making a patterned-media magnetic recording disk uses nano-imprint lithography (NIL) for patterning a resist layer over the magnetic recording layer. A hard mask layer is located above the magnetic recording layer and an etch stop layer is located above the hard mask layer and below the resist layer. Residual resist material in the recesses of the patterned resist layer is removed by reactive ion etching (RIE) to expose the underlying etch stop layer. The etch stop material in the recesses is then removed by RIE to expose regions of the hard mask layer. A reactive ion milling (RIM) process removes the exposed hard mask material. The RIM process causes no undercutting of the unexposed hard mask material, which allows the very small critical dimensions of the patterned-media disk to be reliably achieved when ion milling is subsequently performed through the hard mask that has been patterned by the RIM process.

Abstract: A tool for patterning a disk such as a magnetic media disk for use in a disk drive system. The tool includes a chamber and a first and second series of magnets, each evenly spaced about the chamber wall. An ion beam source at an end of the chamber emits an ion beam toward the disk which is held within the chamber. The first series of magnets deflect the ion beam away from center and toward the chamber wall. The second ion beam source deflects the ion beam back toward the center so that the ion beam can strike the disk at an angle. In addition, to bending the ion beam, the magnets also rotate the bent ion beam so the movement of the ion beam revolves within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming a head having a trailing shield that includes forming a gap layer above a pole, forming a mask above the gap layer, and forming a trailing shield above the gap layer and adjacent the mask, a throat height of the trailing shield being defined between the mask.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced planarization liftoff structures. In accordance with a first method embodiment, a method for manufacturing a pole tip for magnetic recording comprises accessing a wafer comprising a plurality of pole tips and a plurality of pole tip masks corresponding to the plurality of pole tips. Non magnetic material is filled adjacent to the plurality of pole tips. Material adjacent to the plurality of pole tips is etched. Subsequent to the etching, the wafer is planarized to a level equal to or higher than a level of the trailing edges of the plurality of pole tips. The enhanced liftoff structure enables decreased planarization processing, resulting in a decreased process window. As a beneficial result, manufacturing throughput and quality are improved.

Abstract: Methods and structures for the electroplating on ultra-thin seed layers are disclosed. A dual layer structure is utilized, consisting of a thicker, highly conductive layer surrounding device structures. Within the device die, an ultra-thin seed layer is employed, which is electrically coupled to the conduction layer. Using this technique, electroplating of critical device structures can be carefully controlled and made uniform across the full diameter of the wafer. The technique also allow for the deployment of ultra-thin seed layers of varying thickness and composition in different locations within the circuit device, or in different die on the wafer.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a write pole having an end region positioned towards an air bearing surface, a first flare point, and a second flare point positioned between the air bearing surface and the first flare point; and a shield positioned above the write pole, wherein a cross sectional area of the write pole at a point between the first and second flare points along a plane passing through the write pole and oriented about parallel to the air bearing surface is greater than a cross sectional area of the end region of the write pole along a plane oriented parallel to the plane passing through the second flare point. Additional systems and methods are also presented.