Patents by Inventor Kouichi Nishioka

Kouichi Nishioka 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).

  • Patent number: 11935485
    Abstract: A display device that includes a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines, and a pixel unit in which a pixel is specified by the scanning line and the data line, in which image data of one line is simultaneously displayed for a plurality of adjacent scanning lines, image data to be simultaneously displayed is made different between an N frame and an (N+1) frame that are temporally consecutive, and the image data is shifted by one line, and the image data of a last scanning line of at least one of the N frame or the (N+1) frame is hidden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Chiaki Kon, Noboru Tanigawa, Takafumi Nishioka, Kouichi Hashikaki, Toshinobu Sekiuchi
  • Patent number: 9940955
    Abstract: A read head is provided with a scissors sensor. The read head may include a bottom magnetic shield, and a first non-magnetic seed layer, a magnetic seed layer, a second non-magnetic seed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer, a coupling layer, a first free magnetic layer, a spacer layer, and a second free magnetic layer positioned above the bottom magnetic shield, in this order. A pair of magnetic side shield layers may be positioned on respective sides of the second free magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Zheng Gao, Ching Tsang, Quang Le, Sangmun Oh
  • Publication number: 20170154643
    Abstract: A read head is provided with a scissors sensor. The read head may include a bottom magnetic shield, and a first non-magnetic seed layer, a magnetic seed layer, a second non-magnetic seed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer, a coupling layer, a first free magnetic layer, a spacer layer, and a second free magnetic layer positioned above the bottom magnetic shield, in this order. A pair of magnetic side shield layers may be positioned on respective sides of the second free magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Zheng Gao, Ching Tsang, Quang Le, Sangmun Oh
  • Patent number: 9349397
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetoresistive read head includes forming a fixed layer having a first ferromagnetic material that has a fixed direction of magnetization above a lower shield layer, forming a free layer having a second ferromagnetic material positioned above the fixed layer, the free layer having a non-fixed direction of magnetization, forming a first mask above the free layer, the first mask having a predetermined width based on a track width of a magnetic medium, etching the free layer down to the fixed layer using the first mask as a guide, wherein substantially none of the fixed layer is etched, and wherein the fixed layer extends beyond both sides of the free layer in a cross-track direction, and forming magnetic domain control films on both sides of the free layer in the cross-track direction, the magnetic domain control films including a soft magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Norihiro Okawa, Kouichi Nishioka, Kouji Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9341685
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic read head includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer including a MnIr alloy having an L12 ordered phase, a pinned layer positioned above the AFM layer, and a seed layer positioned directly below the AFM layer, wherein the seed layer includes a laminated structure with an upper layer including Ru being positioned above one or more additional layers. In another embodiment, a magnetic read head includes an AFM layer including a MnIr alloy having an L12 ordered phase, a pinned layer positioned above the AFM layer, and a seed layer positioned directly below the AFM layer, the seed layer including a laminated structure of Ta/Y/Ru, wherein Y is a layer having an element or an alloy. Other magnetic heads having a reduced amount of random telegraph noise (RTN) and methods of formation thereof are disclosed according to more embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Koujiro Komagaki
  • Patent number: 9343090
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor having an Ir seed layer for improved pinning robustness and improved sensor performance. The sensor includes an Ir seed layer formed directly beneath and in contact with a layer of antiferromagnetic material (AFM). The Ir seed layer improves the grain structure and smoothness of the above applied layers to significantly improve the performance and pinning robustness of the sensor. The use of the Ir seed layer reduces interlayer magnetic coupling of the layers, reduces surface roughness and increases the temperature at which the pinned layer looses it's pinning (i.e. raises the mean blocking temperature Tc of the pinned layer structure).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Kouichi Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9269383
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a lower magnetic shield positioned at a media facing surface of the head, a lower sensor positioned above the lower magnetic shield, the lower sensor including a lower free layer, a middle magnetic shield positioned above the lower sensor at the media facing surface of the head, and a back side antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned behind the lower free layer in an element height direction, the back side AFM layer being configured to provide magnetic stabilization for the middle magnetic shield. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a lower sensor including a lower free layer, forming a back side AFM layer behind the lower free layer in an element height direction, and forming a middle magnetic shield above the lower sensor, wherein the back side AFM layer is configured to provide magnetic stabilization for the middle magnetic shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Kouichi Nishioka, Takashi Wagatsuma, Nobuo Yoshida, Kenichi Meguro
  • Patent number: 9245549
    Abstract: In one embodiment, magnetic read head includes a seed layer including an amorphous alloy film and Ru film positioned thereon, and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned above the seed layer, the AFM layer including an alloy of MnIr having an L12 ordered phase, the amorphous alloy including a Co—X alloy having more Co than any other element, with X including at least one of: Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, W, Si, and Al. In another embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic read head includes forming a seed layer above a substrate, heating at least the substrate to a first temperature in a range from about 150° C. to about 300° C., cooling at least the substrate to a second temperature of less than about 100° C., and forming an AFM layer above the seed layer between the heating and the cooling, the AFM layer comprising a MnIr alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Koujiro Komagaki
  • Publication number: 20150279392
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetoresistive read head includes forming a fixed layer having a first ferromagnetic material that has a fixed direction of magnetization above a lower shield layer, forming a free layer having a second ferromagnetic material positioned above the fixed layer, the free layer having a non-fixed direction of magnetization, forming a first mask above the free layer, the first mask having a predetermined width based on a track width of a magnetic medium, etching the free layer down to the fixed layer using the first mask as a guide, wherein substantially none of the fixed layer is etched, and wherein the fixed layer extends beyond both sides of the free layer in a cross-track direction, and forming magnetic domain control films on both sides of the free layer in the cross-track direction, the magnetic domain control films including a soft magnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Norihiro Okawa, Kouichi Nishioka, Kouji Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9099127
    Abstract: A magnetic read head and associated circuitry for reducing side track noise and decreasing read width, thereby providing increased data density. The magnetic read head includes first and second sensor elements that are aligned with one another in a data track direction, with the first sensor element being wider than the second sensor element. Electrical circuitry is connected with the read head in such a manner as to read a first signal from the first sensor element and a second signal from a second sensor element. Because the second sensor element is wider than the first sensor element, it will read more side signal noise from adjacent data tracks than will the second sensor element. The circuitry connected with the first and second sensor element detects and distinguishes the side signal noise and separates it out from the data signal, based sensor width difference and location difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Taku Shintani, Yohji Maruyama, Kouichi Nishioka, Masafumi Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9099125
    Abstract: A two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) multi-sensor read head has three stacked sensors separated by magnetic shields. The lower sensor is the primary sensor that is always aligned with the target track. The middle sensor is spaced laterally from the lower sensor a distance substantially equal to the track pitch (TP). The upper sensor is aligned with the lower sensor. The spacing D between the lower and upper sensors is selected to be related to TP and a maximum skew angle, where the skew angle is the angle between a line orthogonal to the sensor and the data track that varies with radial position of the head. The read head is connected to circuitry that selects two of the three sensors to be the active sensors depending on the radial position of the head and thus the skew angle of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Kenichi Meguro, Kouichi Nishioka, Takashi Wagatsuma, Nobuo Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140377588
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a magnetic head having a silicon seed layer disposed between a lower shield and a metallic underlayer to enhance the unidirectional anisotropy in an antiferromagnetic layer disposed over the metallic underlayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Koujiro KOMAGAKI, Kouichi NISHIOKA
  • Patent number: 8902549
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a magnetic head having a silicon seed layer disposed between a lower shield and a metallic underlayer to enhance the unidirectional anisotropy in an antiferromagnetic layer disposed over the metallic underlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koujiro Komagaki, Kouichi Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140334031
    Abstract: In one embodiment, magnetic read head includes a seed layer including an amorphous alloy film and Ru film positioned thereon, and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned above the seed layer, the AFM layer including an alloy of MnIr having an L12 ordered phase, the amorphous alloy including a Co—X alloy having more Co than any other element, with X including at least one of: Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, W, Si, and Al. In another embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic read head includes forming a seed layer above a substrate, heating at least the substrate to a first temperature in a range from about 150° C. to about 300° C., cooling at least the substrate to a second temperature of less than about 100° C., and forming an AFM layer above the seed layer between the heating and the cooling, the AFM layer comprising a MnIr alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Koujiro Komagaki
  • Publication number: 20140334032
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic read head includes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer including a MnIr alloy having an L12 ordered phase, a pinned layer positioned above the AFM layer, and a seed layer positioned directly below the AFM layer, wherein the seed layer includes a laminated structure with an upper layer including Ru being positioned above one or more additional layers. In another embodiment, a magnetic read head includes an AFM layer including a MnIr alloy having an L12 ordered phase, a pinned layer positioned above the AFM layer, and a seed layer positioned directly below the AFM layer, the seed layer including a laminated structure of Ta/Y/Ru, wherein Y is a layer having an element or an alloy. Other magnetic heads having a reduced amount of random telegraph noise (RTN) and methods of formation thereof are disclosed according to more embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nishioka, Koujiro Komagaki
  • Patent number: 8760821
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic head having a current perpendicular to plan (CPP) sensor, includes forming a magnetoresistance effect film, performing a subtractive process for defining a back edge and a height length of the magnetoresistance effect film, depositing an insulating film adjacent the back edge of the magnetoresistance effect film, and ion milling at least an upper surface of a first portion of the insulating film located closest to the magnetoresistance effect film, where the upper surface of the first portion of the insulating film lies substantially along a plane. After the ion milling, the insulating film has no overlap of the insulating film above and/or onto the magnetoresistance effect film and no bulging in a region immediately adjacent a boundary between the insulating film and the magnetoresistance effect film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Masashi Hattori, Kouichi Nishioka, Katsumi Hoshino, Hideki Mashima
  • Patent number: 8568602
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that decreases area resistance and decreases MR ratio of the sensor by eliminating any oxide formation in the capping layer of the sensor. The method includes forming a sensor stack having a multi-layer capping structure formed there-over. The multi-layer capping structure can include first, second, third and fourth layers. The second layer is constructed of a material that is not easily oxidized and which is different from the first layer. The sensor can be formed using a mask that includes a carbon hard mask. After the sensor stack has been formed by ion milling, the hard mask can be removed by reactive ion etching. Then, a cleaning process is performed to remove the second, third and fourth layers of the capping layer structure using an end point detection method such as secondary ion mass spectrometry to detect the presence of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koji Sakamoto, Atsushi Katou, Takao Yonekawa, Norihiro Ookawa, Kouichi Nishioka, Kouji Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20120184053
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that decreases area resistance and decreases MR ratio of the sensor by eliminating any oxide formation in the capping layer of the sensor. The method includes forming a sensor stack having a multi-layer capping structure formed there-over. The multi-layer capping structure can include first, second, third and fourth layers. The second layer is constructed of a material that is not easily oxidized and which is different from the first layer. The sensor can be formed using a mask that includes a carbon hard mask. After the sensor stack has been formed by ion milling, the hard mask can be removed by reactive ion etching. Then, a cleaning process is performed to remove the second, third and fourth layers of the capping layer structure using an end point detection method such as secondary ion mass spectrometry to detect the presence of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koji Sakamoto, Atsushi Katou, Takao Yonekawa, Norihiro Ookawa, Kouichi Nishioka, Kouji Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7646569
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic read sensor and a magnetic read sensor are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes providing a seed layer disposed over a substrate of the magnetic read sensor, providing a free layer disposed over a seed layer and providing a spacer layer disposed over the free layer. The method further includes providing a pinned layer disposed over the spacer layer. In one embodiment, the pinned layer includes cobalt and iron, wherein the concentration of iron in the pinned layer is between 33 and 37 atomic percent (at. %). The method further includes providing a pinning layer disposed over the pinned layer, wherein the pinning layer is in contact with the pinned layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jinshan Li, Kouichi Nishioka, Satoshi Shigematsu, Alexander M. Zeltser
  • Patent number: 7535683
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive head and a fabricating method thereof accomplishing high sensitivity and low noise are provided even if track width narrowing makes progress. In one embodiment, a pinned layer includes a laminate which includes at least two magnetic layers and where adjacent magnetic layers are coupled antiferromagnetically to each other, and a mechanism to apply a longitudinal biasing field to a free layer is made to function by laminating a nonmagnetic separate layer/longitudinal biasing layer/antiferromagnetic layer connecting the free layer and opposite a nonmagnetic conductive layer (or nonmagnetic tunneling barrier layer). Controlling a magnetization direction of the longitudinal biasing layer which bears application of a longitudinal biasing field to the pinned layer and free layer is achieved by annealing carried out while applying a magnetic field in a track width direction and applying a magnetic field at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kenichi Meguro, Kouichi Nishioka, Masahiko Hatatani, Chiseki Haginoya