Patents by Inventor Mark T. Kief

Mark T. Kief 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: 8437105
    Abstract: A magneto-resistive reader includes a first magnetic shield element, a second magnetic shield element and a magneto-resistive sensor stack separating the first magnetic shield element from the second magnetic shield element. The first shield element includes two ferromagnetic anisotropic layers separated by a grain growth suppression layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Vladyslav Alexandrovich Vas'ko, Venkateswara Rao Inturi, Michael C. Kautzky, Zhihong Lu, Mark T. Kief, Yifan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8405931
    Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write pole configured such that the easy magnetic axis is parallel to the vertical length direction of the write pole tip and to the ABS of the recording media. The write pole tip can be a multilayer structure comprising alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers with a planar orientation substantially perpendicular to the ABS and with magnetic anisotropy parallel to the vertical length direction of the write pole tip. The alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers may be formed by electroplating on a conformal seedlayer in a trench, or by static off axis physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Kief, Kaizhong Gao, Venkateswara Rao Inturi
  • Publication number: 20130027812
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are generally directed to a magnetic senor constructed with an anisotropic liner capable of screening magnetic flux. Various embodiments can have a data read element positioned on an air bearing surface adjacent a magnetic shield which is at least partially lined with an in-plane anisotropy layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Werner Scholz, Michael C. Kautzky, Sarbeswar Sahoo, Mark T. Kief, James G. Wessel
  • Patent number: 8339741
    Abstract: A magnetic writer has at least a write pole with a first partial side shield and a second partial side shield. The write pole has a leading edge and a trailing edge along an air bearing surface (ABS) and a first side and a second side along an axis orthogonal to the ABS. The first partial side shield is separated from the first side of the write pole and extends from adjacent the write pole from the trailing edge to a location intermediate that trailing edge and the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Zhang, Mark T. Kief, Dion Song, Lijuan Zou, Charles E. Hawkinson
  • Publication number: 20120268845
    Abstract: A first trench sidewall has a continuous first taper angle that terminates at a first plane. At least one layer may be deposited that forms a second trench sidewall with a continuous second taper angle that extends a predetermined depth past the first plane and is less than the first taper angle. A write pole may then be formed on the second trench sidewall with the write pole being closer to the first trench sidewall at the predetermined depth than at the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Sarbeswar Sahoo, Michael Christopher Kautzky, Hui Tao Brickner, David Christopher Seets, Mark T. Kief
  • Patent number: 8187452
    Abstract: A patterned magnetic recording media and method thereof is provided. A recording layer comprises a continuous surface of more-noble elements and less-noble elements, such as CoXYZ, wherein X can be Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, or Au, wherein Y can be null or Cr, and wherein Z can be null, Cu, Ta, Ti, O, B, Ag, or TiO2. The recording layer is masked, shielding areas for recording domains and exposing areas between the recording domains. A voltage bias establishes the substrate as an anode in the presence of Pt cathode, in an electrolyte bath. Ions of the less-noble element are anodically removed predominantly from the exposed areas of the recording layer for a controlled time. The controlled time minimizes oxidation of the nobler element and reduces undercutting of the recording domains. The article produced can have separating areas with surfaces substantially formed of the more-noble element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Riemer, Ibro Tabakovic, Jie Gong, Hieu T. Lam, Mark T. Kief, Mark H. Ostrowski, Jiaoming Qiu
  • Patent number: 8027129
    Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor stack and a layer of high resistivity material having a precursor within the sensor stack. When a current is applied at the precursor, a current confining path is formed through the layer of high resistivity material at the precursor. The shape of the current confining path is adjustable by adjusting a thickness of the layer of high resistivity material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Janusz J. Nowak, Konstantin R. Nikolaev, Khuong T. Tran, Mark T. Kief
  • Publication number: 20110063756
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductor adjacent an edge of the write element tip for carrying current to generate an assist field that augments a write field generated by the write element. A cladding material is disposed on at least one surface of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Eric S. Linville, Mark T. Kief
  • Publication number: 20110007425
    Abstract: A magneto-resistive reader includes a first magnetic shield element, a second magnetic shield element and a magneto-resistive sensor stack separating the first magnetic shield element from the second magnetic shield element. The first shield element includes two ferromagnetic anisotropic layers separated by a grain growth suppression layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Vladyslav Alexandrovich Vas'ko, Venkateswara Rao Inturi, Michael C. Kautzky, Zhihong Lu, Mark T. Kief, Yifan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100328817
    Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write pole configured such that the easy magnetic axis is parallel to the vertical length direction of the write pole tip and to the ABS of the recording media. The write pole tip can be a multilayer structure comprising alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers with a planar orientation substantially perpendicular to the ABS and with magnetic anisotropy parallel to the vertical length direction of the write pole tip. The alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers may be formed by electroplating on a conformal seedlayer in a trench, or by static off axis physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Kief, Kaizhong Gao, Venkateswara Rao Inturi
  • Publication number: 20100321835
    Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write pole, a first partial shield and a second partial shield. The write pole has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side and a second side. The first partial side shield is located on the first side of the write pole, and the second partial side shield is located on the second side of the write pole. The first partial side shield and the second partial side shield extend along side of the write pole from the trailing edge to a location intermediate that trailing edge and the leading edge so that the first partial side shield and the second partial side shield do not shield the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Zhang, Mark T. Kief, Dion Song, Lijuan Zou, Charles E. Hawkinson
  • Patent number: 7855853
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductor adjacent an edge of the write element tip for carrying current to generate an assist field that augments a write field generated by the write element. A cladding material is disposed on at least one surface of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Eric S. Linville, Mark T. Kief
  • Publication number: 20100273026
    Abstract: A patterned magnetic recording media and method thereof is provided. A recording layer comprises a continuous surface of more-noble elements and less-noble elements, such as CoXYZ, wherein X can be Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, or Au, wherein Y can be null or Cr, and wherein Z can be null, Cu, Ta, Ti, O, B, Ag, or TiO2. The recording layer is masked, shielding areas for recording domains and exposing areas between the recording domains. A voltage bias establishes the substrate as an anode in the presence of Pt cathode, in an electrolyte bath. Ions of the less-noble element are anodically removed predominantly from the exposed areas of the recording layer for a controlled time. The controlled time minimizes oxidation of the nobler element and reduces undercutting of the recording domains. The article produced can have separating areas with surfaces substantially formed of the more-noble element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Steven C. Riemer, Ibro Tabakovic, Jie Gong, Hieu T. Lam, Mark T. Kief, Mark H. Ostrowski, Jiaoming Qiu
  • Publication number: 20100247960
    Abstract: An electrodeposited magnetic recording medium having multiple coercivity values is disclosed. In some embodiments, layers having different coercivity levels may be separated by exchange coupled composites and in other embodiments a range of coercivity levels are deposited in a gradient fashion. In some embodiments, the layers with multiple coercivity values comprise bit patterned media islands formed from a photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jiaoming Qiu, Ibro Tabakovic, Mark T. Kief, Hieu T. Lam, David S. Kuo, Jie Gong
  • Patent number: 7777989
    Abstract: A magnetic writing pole writes perpendicularly to a magnetic medium. The writing pole includes a multilayer structure with alternately electroplated magnetic layers and electroplated non-magnetic layers. The writing pole has a down-track thickness near the magnetic medium of less than about 500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ming Sun, Ibro M. Tabakovic, Steve C. Riemer, Mark T. Kief, Venkateswara R. Inturi, John A. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7561380
    Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Nurul Amin, Yuming Zhou, Kaizhong Gao, Patrick J. Ryan, Steven Kalderon, Song S. Xue, Shaoping Li, Mark T. Kief
  • Publication number: 20090021861
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and is operable to generate a first field at the write element tip. A conductor is proximate the write element tip for carrying a current to generate a second field that augments the first field. An encapsulating layer is on at least one surface of the conductor, wherein the encapsulating layer is made of a material that increases a maximum sustainable current density of the conductor to greater than about 108 A/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Vladyslav A. Vas'ko, Mark T. Kief, Prabath S. Perera, Aly A. Bazama
  • Publication number: 20080316643
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductor adjacent an edge of the write element tip for carrying current to generate an assist field that augments a write field generated by the write element. A cladding material is disposed on at least one surface of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Eric S. Linville, Mark T. Kief
  • Publication number: 20080259493
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Kief, Johannes Van Ek, Eric S. Linville, William P. Vavra, Vladyslav A. Vas'ko
  • Publication number: 20080186636
    Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Nurul Amin, Yuming Zhou, Kaizhong Gao, Patrick J. Ryan, Steven Kalderon, Song S. Xue, Shaoping Li, Mark T. Kief