Patents by Inventor Kuok San Ho

Kuok San Ho 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: 11172131
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to optical devices and related methods that facilitate tilt in camera systems, such as tilt of a lens. In one example, an optical device includes a lens, an image sensor disposed below the lens, a plurality of magnets disposed about the lens, and a plurality of: (1) vertical coil structures coiled in one or more vertical planes and (2) horizontal coil structures coiled in one or more horizontal planes. When power is applied, the coil structures can generate magnetic fields that, in the presence of the magnets, cause relative movement of the coil structures and associated structures. The plurality of vertical coil structures are configured to horizontally move the lens. The plurality of horizontal coil structures are configured to tilt the lens when differing electrical power is applied to at least two of the plurality of horizontal coil structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Quang Le, Rajeev Nagabhirava, Kuok San Ho, Zhigang Bai, Zhanjie Li, Xiaoyong Liu, Daniele Mauri
  • Publication number: 20210336127
    Abstract: A spin-orbit torque (SOT) magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes a substrate, a seed layer over the substrate, and a bismuth antimony (BiSb) layer having (0120) orientation on the seed layer. The seed layer includes a silicide layer and a surface control layer. The silicide layer includes a material of NiSi, NiFeSi, NiFeTaSi, NiCuSi, CoSi, CoFeSi, CoFeTaSi, CoCuSi, or combinations thereof. The surface control layer includes a material of NiFe, NiFeTa, NiTa, NiW, NiFeW, NiCu, NiCuM, NiFeCu, CoTa, CoFeTa, NiCoTa, Co, CoM, CoNiM, CoNi, NiSi, CoSi, NiCoSi, Cu, CuAgM, CuM, or combinations thereof, in which M is Fe, Cu, Co, Ta, Ag, Ni, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, or Si.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Quang LE, Cherngye HWANG, Brian R. YORK, Andrew CHEN, Thao A. NGUYEN, Yongchul AHN, Xiaoyong LIU, Hongquan JIANG, Zheng GAO, Kuok San HO
  • Publication number: 20210327462
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider comprising an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both (a) couple a slider bias voltage to a body of the slider to control a potential of the slider, and (b) provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor. The slider may also include a shunt circuit for mitigating radio-frequency interference by shunting it to ground. The slider may include a write element, which may include a write-field enhancement structure. The slider may include a read element for reading from a recording media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Patent number: 11127417
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The magnetic recording head comprises a first write head, a second write head, at least one read head, and a thermal fly height control element. The first write head is a wide writing write head comprising a first main pole and a first trailing shield. The second write head a narrow writing write head comprising a second main pole, a trailing gap, a second trailing shield, and one or more side shields. The first main pole has a shorter height and a greater width than the second main pole. The second main pole has a curved or U-shaped surface disposed adjacent to the trailing gap. The thermal fly height control element and the at least one read head are aligned with a center axis of the second main pole of the second write head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thao A. Nguyen, Michael Kuok San Ho, Zhigang Bai, Zhanjie Li, Quang Le
  • Publication number: 20210280208
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a main pole at a media facing surface (MFS), a trailing shield at the MFS, and a heavy metal layer disposed between the main pole and the trailing shield at the MFS. Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is generated from the heavy metal layer and transferred to a surface of the main pole as a current passes through the heavy metal layer in a cross-track direction. The SOT executes a torque on the surface magnetization of the main pole, which reduces the magnetic flux shunting from the main pole to the trailing shield. With the reduced magnetic flux shunting from the main pole to the trailing shield, write-ability is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suping SONG, Zhanjie LI, Michael Kuok San HO, Quang LE, Alexander M. ZELTSER
  • Patent number: 11100946
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to spin-orbital torque (SOT) differential reader designs. The SOT differential reader is a multi-terminal device that comprises a first shield, a first spin hall effect layer, a first free layer, a gap layer, a second spin hall effect layer, a second free layer, and a second shield. The gap layer is disposed between the first spin hall effect layer and the second spin hall effect layer. Electrical lead connections are located about the first spin hall effect layer, the second spin hall effect layer, the gap layer, the first shield, and/or the second shield. The electrical lead connections facilitate the flow of current and/or voltage from a negative lead to a positive lead. The positioning of the electrical lead connections and the positioning of the SOT differential layers improves reader resolution without decreasing the shield-to-shield spacing (i.e., read-gap).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Quang Le, Xiaoyong Liu, Zhigang Bai, Zhanjie Li, Kuok San Ho, Hisashi Takano
  • Patent number: 11094338
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to spin-orbital torque (SOT) differential reader designs. The SOT differential reader is a multi-terminal device comprising a first seed layer, a first spin hall effect (SHE) layer, a first interlayer, a first free layer, a gap layer, a second seed layer, a second SHE layer, a second free layer, and a second interlayer. The gap layer is disposed between the first SHE layer and the second SHE layer. The materials and dimensions used for the first and second seed layers, the first and second interlayers, and the first and second SHE layers affect the resulting spin hall voltage converted from spin current injected from the first free layer and the second free layer, as well as the ability to tune the first and second SHE layers. Moreover, the SOT differential reader improves reader resolution without decreasing the shield-to-shield spacing (i.e., read-gap).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cherngye Hwang, Xiaoyong Liu, Quang Le, Kuok San Ho, Hisashi Takano, Brian R. York
  • Publication number: 20210249038
    Abstract: A spin-orbit torque (SOT) magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes a substrate, a buffer layer formed over the substrate, and a bismuth antimony (BiSb) layer formed over the buffer layer, the BiSb layer having a (012) orientation. In certain embodiments, the SOT MTJ device is part of a microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head. In certain embodiments, the SOT MTJ device is part of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Quang LE, Cherngye HWANG, Brian R. YORK, Thao A. NGUYEN, Zheng GAO, Kuok San HO, Pham Nam Hai
  • Patent number: 11087784
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a recording media, a slider comprising a write head having a write-field enhancement structure for recording data to the recording media, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and carry a bias current for the write-field enhancement structure. Also disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider with an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Patent number: 11087789
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The magnetic recording head comprises a first write head and a second write head each coupled to a first pad and a second pad of a slider pad and an electrical circuit coupled to the first and second pads. The first write head comprises a first main pole and a first thermal fly height (TFH) element, and the second write head comprises a second main pole and a second TFH element. The electrical circuit comprises a capacitor and a connection to the first TFH element of the first write head, and an inductor and a connection to the second TFH element of the second write head. The electrical circuit is configured to independently power the first TFH element and the second TFH element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Quang Le, Jih-shiuan Luo, Thao A. Nguyen, Kuok San Ho
  • Publication number: 20210233559
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a trailing shield, a main pole, an STO disposed between the trailing shield and the main pole, and a non-magnetic conductive structure (or non-magnetic conductive layers) adjacent to the main pole and in contact with the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure provides additional paths for electrical currents to flow to the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure enables higher current density to the STO without creating hot spots at the MFS. Maximum current efficiency and uniformity can be achieved with the non-magnetic conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Quang LE, Michael Kuok San HO, Suping SONG, Goncalo Marcos BAIÃO DE ALBUQUERQUE
  • Patent number: 11049513
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a trailing shield, a main pole, an STO disposed between the trailing shield and the main pole, and a non-magnetic conductive structure (or non-magnetic conductive layers) adjacent to the main pole and in contact with the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure provides additional paths for electrical currents to flow to the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure enables higher current density to the STO without creating hot spots at the MFS. Maximum current efficiency and uniformity can be achieved with the non-magnetic conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Quang Le, Kuok San Ho, Suping Song, Goncalo Baiao De Albuquerque
  • Patent number: 11049512
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a main pole at a media facing surface (MFS), a trailing shield at the MFS, and a heavy metal layer disposed between the main pole and the trailing shield at the MFS. Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is generated from the heavy metal layer and transferred to a surface of the main pole as a current passes through the heavy metal layer in a cross-track direction. The SOT executes a torque on the surface magnetization of the main pole, which reduces the magnetic flux shunting from the main pole to the trailing shield. With the reduced magnetic flux shunting from the main pole to the trailing shield, write-ability is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Suping Song, Zhanjie Li, Michael Kuok San Ho, Quang Le, Alexander M. Zeltser
  • Patent number: 11049514
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a main pole at a media facing surface (MFS), a trailing shield at the MFS, and a MAMR stack disposed between the main pole and the trailing shield at the MFS. The MAMR stack includes a seed layer and at least one magnetic layer. The seed layer is fabricated from a thermally conductive material having electrical resistivity lower than that of the main pole. The seed layer has a stripe height greater than a stripe height of the at least one magnetic layer. With the extended seed layer, the bias current from the trailing shield to the main pole spreads further away from the MFS along the extended seed layer before flowing into the main pole, reducing temperature rise at or near the MAMR stack, leading to improved write head reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kuok San Ho, Yunfei Ding, Zhigang Bai, Yaguang Wei, Terence Lam, Goncalo Marcos Baião De Albuquerque, Xinjiang Shen, Feng Q. Liu
  • Publication number: 20210158839
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The magnetic recording head comprises a first write head, a second write head, at least one read head, and a thermal fly height control element. The first write head is a wide writing write head comprising a first main pole and a first trailing shield. The second write head a narrow writing write head comprising a second main pole, a trailing gap, a second trailing shield, and one or more side shields. The first main pole has a shorter height and a greater width than the second main pole. The second main pole has a curved or U-shaped surface disposed adjacent to the trailing gap. The thermal fly height control element and the at least one read head are aligned with a center axis of the second main pole of the second write head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Thao A. NGUYEN, Michael Kuok San HO, Zhigang BAI, Zhanjie LI, Quang LE
  • Patent number: 11017801
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main pole configured to serve as a first electrode, an upper pole containing a trailing magnetic shield configured to a serve as a second electrode, and a record element located in a trailing gap between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield. The record element includes an electrically conductive, non-magnetic material portion which is not part of a spin torque oscillator stack. The main pole and the trailing magnetic shield are electrically shorted by the record element across the trailing gap between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield such that an electrically conductive path is present between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield through the record element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chembrolu, Zhigang Bai, Yaguang Wei, Anna Zheng, Supradeep Narayana, Suping Song, Terence Lam, Michael Kuok San Ho, Changqing Shi, Lijie Guan, Jian-Gang Zhu
  • Patent number: 10997988
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a trailing shield, a main pole, an STO disposed between the trailing shield and the main pole, and a non-magnetic conductive structure (or non-magnetic conductive layers) adjacent to the main pole and in contact with the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure provides additional paths for electrical currents to flow to the STO. The non-magnetic conductive structure enables higher current density to the STO without creating hot spots at the MFS. Maximum current efficiency and uniformity can be achieved with the non-magnetic conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Quang Le, Michael Kuok San Ho, Suping Song, Goncalo Baiao De Albuquerque
  • Publication number: 20210125631
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main pole configured to serve as a first electrode, an upper pole containing a trailing magnetic shield configured to a serve as a second electrode, and an electrically conductive portion located in a trailing gap between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield. The electrically conductive portion is not part of a spin torque oscillator stack, and the electrically conductive portion includes at least one electrically conductive, non-magnetic material layer. The main pole and the trailing magnetic shield are electrically shorted by the electrically conductive portion across the trailing gap between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield such that an electrically conductive path is present between the main pole and the trailing magnetic shield through the electrically conductive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Zhigang BAI, Anna ZHENG, Venkatesh CHEMBROLU, Supradeep NARAYANA, Yaguang WEI, Suping SONG, Terence LAM, Michael Kuok San HO, Changqing SHI, Lijie GUAN, Jian-Gang ZHU
  • Patent number: 10957348
    Abstract: A magnetic recording write head has an electrically-conductive structure in the write gap between the write pole and the trailing shield and electrical circuitry for directing current through the write gap. The current through the electrically-conductive structure generates a circular Ampere field which, at the disk-facing end of the write pole, is substantially parallel to the disk-facing end of the write pole. The electrically-conductive structure in the write gap may be a STO or an electrically-conductive layer that is not part of a STO. The current direction through the electrically-conductive structure in the write gap is selected so that the generated Ampere field at the write pole end is in substantially the same direction as the magnetization direction of the write head side shields, which has been discovered to result in minimization of cross-track interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Zhigang Bai, Alexander Taratorin, Anna Zheng, Venkatesh Chembrolu, Supradeep Narayana, Suping Song, Yaguang Wei, Terence Lam, Michael Kuok San Ho, Changqing Shi, Lijie Guan
  • Patent number: 10957346
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are magnetic recording devices and methods of using them. A magnetic recording device comprises a main pole extending to an air-bearing surface (ABS), a trailing shield extending to the ABS, a write-field-enhancing structure disposed between and coupled to the main pole and the trailing shield at the ABS, a write coil configured to magnetize the main pole, a write current control circuit coupled to the write coil and configured to apply a write current to the write coil, wherein the write current comprises a write pulse, and a bias current control circuit coupled to the write-field-enhancing structure and configured to apply a bias current to the write-field-enhancing structure, wherein the bias current comprises a driving pulse offset in time from the write pulse by a delay, wherein the delay substantially coincides with an expected magnetization switch-time lag of a free layer of the write-field-enhancing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gonçalo Marcos Baião De Albuquerque, Yunfei Ding, Alexander Goncharov, Kuok San Ho, Daniele Mauri, Goran Mihajlovic, Suping Song, Petrus Antonius Van Der Heijden