Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly includes a load beam, a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a base plate, and a flexure that includes a head mounting surface. The base plate has a first base plate layer that includes a first base plate side and an opposing second base plate side. The first base plate side has a main base plate surface and a recessed base plate surface parallel to and offset from the main base plate surface. A first hinge arm is attached to the main base plate surface. A second hinge arm is attached to the recessed base plate surface. The first and second hinge arms are attached to the load beam. The base plate has a first thickness at the main base plate surface and a second thickness at the recessed base plate surface that is the same as the first thickness.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a slider and novel gimbal that may reduce crown sensitivity to temperature without substantially sacrificing the ability of a bond between the gimbal tongue and slider to resist applied forces and torques. The gimbal has a tongue that includes at least one weakening region. The weakening region extends more in a direction perpendicular to the length of the slider than it does in a direction parallel to the length of the slider. A bonding surface of the slider is attached to the tongue in a first bonding region that extends closer to a leading end of the slider than the weakening region does, and in a second bonding region that extends closer to a trailing end of the slider than the weakening region does. The gimbal can be used in a head gimbal assembly of a magnetic hard disk drive or other information storage device.

Abstract: A servo track writer for a head disk assembly and a method of making the head disk assembly using the servo track writer are disclosed. The head disk assembly includes an enclosure having an opening and a base and an actuator arm coupled to the base and having a servo writer positioning arm facing surface. The servo track writer includes a platform for supporting the head disk assembly. The platform includes a base portion, a column extending substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and an elongated servo writer positioning arm for protruding through the opening and supported by the column. The positioning arm includes a main body, a tip having an actuator arm facing surface for abutting the positioning arm facing surface, and a vibration damper positioned between the main body and the tip. The vibration damper damps vibrations induced in the actuator arm by dissipating energy transferred between the platform and the actuator arm.

Abstract: A mount for adjusting the position of a photodetector in a fine range is described. The adjustment of the photodetector is carried in one direction or both directions along X and/or Y axis in a condition that the photodetector is fixed on a base plate by fixing the photodetector on the mount of an optical instrument, and is also for fine adjustment of a position of the photodetector by a set screw or a general screw by forming cantilever supporting working points at one or more places of the mount and by installing said set screw at a place opposite to the working points.

Abstract: Correction of the ellipticity of a diode laser beam is achieved by an anamorphic beam expansion prism pair that are separated by an angularly rotationally adjustable mirror. The first prism of the prism pair is rotationally adjustable to various detent positions about a first axis and is translatable to various detent positions along a second axis, while the second prism has a fixed position. The first prism provides some beam expansion and the second prism provides the remainder of the beam expansion. The amount of beam expansion by the first prism is varied by adjustment of its rotation and translation, yet the expanded beam from the first prism exhibits zero positional offset at the location of the rotatable mirror. The mirror is rotated such that the optical axis between the mirror and the second prism is the same for all cases of beam expansion.

Abstract: A linear actuator for controlling access to a track element belonging to a plurality of adjacent track elements arranged in a reference surface of an optical disk rotatable about a spindle. The linear actuator includes an objective lens for projecting a light spot for interaction with a selected one of the track elements. A first moving mechanism is provided for supporting the objective lens for movement along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the reference surface for controlling the focusing of the light spot. A second moving mechanism in the linear actuator supports the objective lens for movement along a second direction substantially parallel to the reference surface and generally transverse to the track elements for controlling the access thereto. The second moving mechanism includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel rods which extend generally transverse to the track elements. The rods have a round cross-section and are made of a ferromagnetic material.