Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a pedestal lift assembly for a plasma processing chamber and a method for using the same. The pedestal lift assembly has a platen configured to couple a shaft of a pedestal disposed in the plasma processing chamber. An absolute linear encoder is coupled to a fixed frame wherein the absolute linear encoder is configured to detect incremental movement of the platen. A lift rod is attached to the platen. A motor rotor encoder brake module (MRBEM) is coupled to the fixed frame and moveably coupled to the lift rod, the motor encoder brake module configured to move the lift rod in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the movement of the lift rod results in the platen traveling vertically relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming a metal containing material onto a substrate with good film uniformity and stress profile across the substrate. In one embodiment, a method of sputter depositing a metal containing layer on a substrate includes supplying a gas mixture into a processing chamber, forming a first portion of a metal containing layer on a substrate, transferring the substrate from the processing chamber, rotating the substrate, transferring the substrate back to the processing chamber, and forming a second portion of the metal containing layer on the first portion of the metal containing layer.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a pedestal lift assembly for a plasma processing chamber and a method for using the same. The pedestal lift assembly has a platen configured to couple a shaft of a pedestal disposed in the plasma processing chamber. An absolute linear encoder is coupled to a fixed frame wherein the absolute linear encoder is configured to detect incremental movement of the platen. A lift rod is attached to the platen. A motor rotor encoder brake module (MRBEM) is coupled to the fixed frame and moveably coupled to the lift rod, the motor encoder brake module configured to move the lift rod in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the movement of the lift rod results in the platen traveling vertically relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming a metal containing material onto a substrate with good film uniformity and stress profile across the substrate. In one embodiment, a method of sputter depositing a metal containing layer on a substrate includes supplying a gas mixture into a processing chamber, forming a first portion of a metal containing layer on a substrate, transferring the substrate from the processing chamber, rotating the substrate, transferring the substrate back to the processing chamber, and forming a second portion of the metal containing layer on the first portion of the metal containing layer.

Abstract: A data storage device may be constructed as a data reader in various embodiments with a magnetic stack that has a barrier layer disposed between first and second magnetically free layers. The magnetic stack may have a horizontally symmetrical configuration that provides negative exchange coupling between the magnetically free layers.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor includes a sensor stack positioned between a seed layer and a cap layer. The seed layer includes a first buffer layer that includes a non-magnetic nickel alloy. In certain embodiments, a sensor stack includes a top and bottom shield and a seed layer positioned adjacent to the bottom shield. The seed layer has a first buffer layer that includes a nickel alloy.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor includes a sensor stack positioned between a seed layer and a cap layer. The seed layer includes a first buffer layer that includes a non-magnetic nickel alloy. In certain embodiments, a sensor stack includes a top and bottom shield and a seed layer positioned adjacent to the bottom shield. The seed layer has a first buffer layer that includes a nickel alloy.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor includes a sensor stack positioned between a seed layer and a cap layer. The seed layer includes a first buffer layer that includes a non-magnetic nickel alloy. In certain embodiments, a sensor stack includes a top and bottom shield and a seed layer positioned adjacent to the bottom shield. The seed layer has a first buffer layer that includes a nickel alloy.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor includes a sensor stack positioned between a seed layer and a cap layer. The seed layer includes a first buffer layer that includes a non-magnetic nickel alloy. In certain embodiments, a sensor stack includes a top and bottom shield and a seed layer positioned adjacent to the bottom shield. The seed layer has a first buffer layer that includes a nickel alloy.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a metallic bar coupled to a substrate. Current leads are adapted to provide current to the ferromagnetic bar. Voltage leads are coupled to the ferromagnetic bar to sense an induced Hall voltage therein.

Abstract: A magnetic recording system is disclosed in which the magnetization dynamics of the write head and recording medium are highly damped. The system may comprise a perpendicular recording head having a write pole, and a recording medium including a hard magnetic recording layer and a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL). The increased magnetic damping in the write pole and SUL suppresses precessional motion of the respective magnetizations, leading to a reduction in transition jitter caused by spurious head field fluctuations. The damping may be increased by providing films or multilayer structures that are doped with rare earth or transition metal elements. Exchange coupled laminates of doped and undoped layers may optimize both the effective damping and write field in the recording system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a ferromagnetic free layer having a first magnetic moment and having a magnetization that rotates in response to an external magnetic field, a first ferromagnetic reference layer positioned adjacent to a first side of the ferromagnetic free layer and having a second magnetic moment that is greater than the first magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic free layer, a second ferromagnetic reference layer positioned adjacent to a second side of the ferromagnetic free layer and having a third magnetic moment that is greater than the first magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic free layer, a first non-magnetic spacer layer positioned between the ferromagnetic free layer and the first ferromagnetic reference layer, a second non-magnetic spacer layer positioned between the ferromagnetic free layer and the second ferromagnetic reference layer, and a source of magnetic field for biasing the first and second ferromagnetic reference layers.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing noise due to thermally activated spin waves in a magnetoresistive (MR) element is disclosed. The MR element includes a free layer, a reference layer, and a spacer layer, the spacer layer being positioned between the free layer and the reference layer. To reduce noise, a magnetization of the reference layer is pinned in a fixed direction. A spin polarized current perpendicular to a plane of the free layer, reference layer, and spacer layer is subsequently produced such that the current exerts a spin momentum transfer torque on localized electron spins to reduce noise due to thermally activated spin waves. The spin momentum transfer torque opposes the intrinsic damping of the free layer, thereby reducing noise in the MR element.

Abstract: A data writing system includes an array of cells for storing data and a write transducer that moves over a selected cell in the array of cells. The write transducer includes a writer producing a write magnetic field that intersects the selected cell. The write transducer also includes a plasmon resonator that is adjacent the writer. The plasmon resonator is shaped to receive lower power density radiation and to provide plasmon radiation at a higher power density to an optical spot intersecting with the selected cell. The plasmon radiation heats the selected cell above a write temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head comprises a write pole having a tip adjacent to an air bearing surface of the recording head, a return pole magnetically coupled to the write pole, a conductor positioned adjacent to an edge of the write pole at the air bearing surface, a first conductive heat sink connected to the conductor, and a second conductive heat sink connected to the conductor, wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second conductive heat sinks is positioned adjacent to the air bearing surface and wherein each of the first and second conductive heat sinks includes a structure for augmenting confinement of a magnetic write field adjacent to the write pole. Magnetic storage devices that include the magnetic recording head are also included.

Abstract: A write driver for use with a magnetic recording head includes a photoconductive switch that is positioned adjacent a magnetic recording head for switching current waveforms. Both light and a DC voltage are applied to the photoconductive switch to switch the applied current waveforms. The write driver further includes means for writing to a storage medium in response to current waveforms switched by the photoconductive switch. The write driver may also include a suspension that supports at least one photoconductive switch, DC conductors for supplying a DC voltage, means for supplying light, and recording head means for writing to a storage medium.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing noise due to thermally activated spin waves in a magnetoresistive (MR) element is disclosed. The MR element includes a free layer, a reference layer, and a spacer layer, the spacer layer being positioned between the free layer and the reference layer. To reduce noise, a magnetization of the reference layer is pinned in a fixed direction. A spin polarized current perpendicular to a plane of the free layer, reference layer, and spacer layer is subsequently produced such that the current exerts a spin momentum transfer torque on localized electron spins to reduce noise due to thermally activated spin waves. The spin momentum transfer torque opposes the intrinsic damping of the free layer, thereby reducing noise in the MR element.