Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media structure with multiple exchange couple composite (ECC) layer structure is described. The PMR disk structure may include multiple soft magnetic layers with intervening hard magnetic layers and in between. The interface between the soft magnetic layers and the hard magnetic layers may be separated by exchange coupled layers.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a multi-bit memory capable of being selected with a magnetic layer. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a first selection layer with a low coercivity that is disposed between first and second storage layers that each have a high coercivity. In response to magnetic saturation of the first selection layer, programming of a logical state to the second storage layer is allowed.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a multi-bit memory capable of being selected with a magnetic layer. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a first selection layer with a low coercivity that is disposed between first and second storage layers that each have a high coercivity. In response to magnetic saturation of the first selection layer, programming of a logical state to the second storage layer is allowed.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a multi-bit memory capable of being selected with a magnetic layer. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a first selection layer with a low coercivity that is disposed between first and second storage layers that each have a high coercivity. In response to magnetic saturation of the first selection layer, programming of a logical state to the second storage layer is allowed.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a multi-bit memory capable of being selected with a magnetic layer. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a first selection layer with a low coercivity that is disposed between first and second storage layers that each have a high coercivity. In response to magnetic saturation of the first selection layer, programming of a logical state to the second storage layer is allowed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element including a write element tip, and a conductive coil for carrying a write current to induce a first field in the write element. A first conductor proximate a trailing edge of the write pole tip is operable to carry a first assist current to generate a second field that augments the first field. A second conductor proximate a leading edge of the write pole tip is operable to carry a second assist current to generate a third field that augments the first field. First and second side shields are on opposing sides of the write element in a cross-track direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a first pole having a first pole tip. A conductor, which is adjacent to an edge of the first pole tip, carries current to generate a second field that augments a first field generated by the first pole. The width of the conductor is in the range of about one to about five times the width of the trailing edge of the first pole tip.

Abstract: A recording head for use with a storage medium is provided. The recording head includes a substrate, a magnetic pole, a first magnetic bias structure positioned on a first side of the magnetic pole, and a second magnetic bias structure positioned on a second side of the magnetic pole, Spacer material is positioned between the magnetic pole and the first magnetic bias structure and between the magnetic pole and the second magnetic bias structure.

Abstract: The writing pole is formed of a magnetic material and includes a pole tip having an air-bearing surface and a throat portion extending away from the pole tip and away from the air-bearing surface. At least two surfaces of the throat portion are non-perpendicular to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A beveled writing pole includes a top portion, a beveled portion, and a throat portion. The top portion has an end that defines a writing pole tip. The beveled portion adjoins the top portion and has a bevel that extends from the writing pole tip and increases a thickness of the writing pole proximate the pole tip. The throat portion is formed of the top and beveled portions and has tapered sides that extend from the writing pole tip and increase a width of the writing pole proximate the writing pole tip. A method of forming the beveled writing pole is also presented.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive sensor has a bottom shield, a nonmagnetic metallic pedestal, a bottom reader gap, a biasing element, a magnetoresistive stack, current leads, a top reader gap, and a top shield. The nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is positioned on a portion of the bottom shield and the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal has a width less than the width of the bottom shield. The bottom reader gap is positioned on the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal and on the bottom shield such that a portion of the bottom reader gap over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is raised relative to portions of the bottom reader gap not over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal.

Abstract: A differential read head comprises one tri-layer reader or a plurality of tri-layer readers operating in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) mode. The tri-layer readers each comprise a first free layer, a second free layer, and a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween. A nonmagnetic spacer is positioned between the plurality of tri-layer readers for electrically connecting the plurality of tri-layer readers in series such that a single CPP sense current representing a differential signal flows serially through the read head. With a single tri-layer reader, the free layers are spaced by a width substantially similar to the transition width of the magnetic medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: A write element for a magnetoresistive (“MR”) head or a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head includes a yoke and a coil. The coil made of a microstrip transmission line. The coil is a single turn and is U-shaped. The yoke of the write element includes laminated bottom pole, and top pole which are made of thin layers of ferromagnetic material antiferromagnetically exchange coupled to each other through a very thin nonmagnetic metallic layer. The yoke is made of metallic superlattices exhibiting strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between ferromagnetic layers through thin nonmagnetic metallic layers. The coil and the yoke are intertwined to provide two or more flux interactions between them. The yoke has a symmetrical structure with three interconnect vias, thereby reducing the effective magnetic length of the yoke. The antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled yoke has a stable single domain structure that exhibits very high switching time and does not suffer from hysteresis losses.

Abstract: A differential read head comprises one tri-layer reader or a plurality of tri-layer readers operating in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) mode. The tri-layer readers each comprise a first free layer, a second free layer, and a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween. A nonmagnetic spacer means is positioned between the plurality of tri-layer readers for electrically connecting the plurality of tri-layer readers in series such that a single CPP sense current representing a differential signal flows serially through the read head. With a single tri-layer reader, the free layers are spaced by a width substantially similar to the transition width of the magnetic medium.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive sensor has a bottom shield, a nonmagnetic metallic pedestal, a bottom reader gap, a biasing element, a magnetoresistive stack, current leads, a top reader gap, and a top shield. The nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is positioned on a portion of the bottom shield and the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal has a width less than the width of the bottom shield. The bottom reader gap is positioned on the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal and on the bottom shield such that a portion of the bottom reader gap over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal is raised relative to portions of the bottom reader gap not over the nonmagnetic metallic pedestal.

Abstract: A beveled writing pole includes a top portion, a beveled portion, and a throat portion. The top portion has an end that defines a writing pole tip. The beveled portion adjoins the top portion and has a bevel that extends from the writing pole tip and increases a thickness of the writing pole proximate the pole tip. The throat portion is formed of the top and beveled portions and has tapered sides that extend from the writing pole tip and increase a width of the writing pole proximate the writing pole tip. A method of forming the beveled writing pole is also presented.

Abstract: A writing element includes a writing pole, a conducting coil and an insulating material. The writing pole includes a pole tip and extends therefrom to a back gap region. The conducting coil includes coil segments positioned adjacent and transverse to the writing pole. The coil segments are adapted to produce magnetic signals that orient magnetization vectors at the pole tip of the writing pole in a desired direction. The insulating material is formed between the writing pole and the coil segments. Magnetic signals do not conduct to the back gap region through a return pole element.