Abstract: This disclosure relates to an optical system and a method for its manufacture. One embodiment of the optical system may include an optical material upon which a multilayer stack may be deposited. The multilayer stack may include a first layer composed on a first surface of the optical material, a second layer composed on the first layer, and a third layer composed on the second layer. Among other possibilities, the first layer may include Al2O3, the second layer may include Al, and the third layer may include SiO2. The multilayer stack may be a reflective coating on a surface of the optical material with optical power. Thus, the reflective coating may serve as a reflective image former within the optical system. The optical system may be configured as a head-mountable device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an optical system and a method for its manufacture. One embodiment of the optical system may include an optical material upon which a multilayer stack may be deposited. The multilayer stack may include a first layer composed on a first surface of the optical material, a second layer composed on the first layer, and a third layer composed on the second layer. Among other possibilities, the first layer may include Al2O3, the second layer may include Al, and the third layer may include SiO2. The multilayer stack may be a reflective coating on a surface of the optical material with optical power. Thus, the reflective coating may serve as a reflective image former within the optical system. The optical system may be configured as a head-mountable device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a slider in accordance with the present invention for use in a hard disk drive having a rotatable disk can include a plurality of rails arranged across a surface of the slider such that an air bearing is formed when the slider is positioned over the disk and the disk is rotated such that the slider traverse a servo wedge of the disk. The surface of the slider further includes a trailing pad arranged near a trailing edge of the surface of the slider such that when the slider traverses debris having a height higher than minimum height, the air bearing increases such that the slider is not in communicative proximity with the disk for a time at least as long as a time for the slider to traverse the servo wedge.

Abstract: An embodiment of a slider in accordance with the present invention for use in a hard disk drive having a rotatable disk can include a plurality of rails arranged across a surface of the slider such that an air bearing is formed when the slider is positioned over the disk and the disk is rotated such that the slider traverse a servo wedge of the disk. The surface of thes lider further includes a trailing pad arranged near a trailing edge of the surface of the slider such that when the slider traverses debris having a height higher than a minimum height, the air bearing increases such that the slider is not in communicative proximity with the disk for a time at least as long as a time for the slider to traverse the servo wedge.

Abstract: An electromagnetic read/write system includes a contact interface formed by a pole-structure-carrying wear pad and a recording surface. The uppermost portion of the recording surface is characterized by a buffed, generally planarized topography. Lower elevations of the recording surface may be texturized or untexturized. Various methods of producing such an interface are described. The interface of the present invention provides dramatically improved longevity, i.e, wear performance through long term read/write operation.

Abstract: Flexure/transducer structure employable in an electromagnetic information storage and retrieval system wherein mechanical load-bearing responsibilities and electrical-current-carrying responsibilities are merged into and shared by common structure. The invention subject matter is useable in systems characterized by contact operation, as well as by quasi-contact and noncontact operations, in relation to the recording surface in an information recording medium.

Abstract: Flexure/transducer structure employable in an electromagnetic information storage and retrieval system wherein mechanical load-bearing responsibilities and electrical-current-carrying responsibilities are merged into and shared by common structure. The invention subject matter is useable in systems characterized by contact operation, as well as by quasi-contact and noncontact operations, in relation to the recording surface in an information recording medium.

Abstract: A transducer for a hard disk drive system has a planar magnetic core and a pair of poletips that project transversely from the core for sliding contact with the disk during reading and writing. The transducer is formed entirely of thin films in the shape of a low profile table having three legs that slide on the disk, the poletips being exposed at a bottom of one of the legs for high resolution communication with the disk, the throat height of the poletips affording sufficient tolerance to allow for wear. The legs elevate the transducer from the disk sufficiently to minimize lifting by a thin air layer that moves with the spinning disk which, in combination with the small size of the thin film head allows a low load and a flexible beam and gimbal to hold the transducer to the disk.

Abstract: A operationally contacting hard disk drive system has reduced friction due to lower capillary adhesion between the disk surface and a transducer in a substantially continuous sliding relationship with the surface. The disk surface has an adhesion-reducing texture that includes a microscopic RMS roughness in a range between about 1.5 and 5.5 nanometers, or a number of asperities having a mean plane to peak height in a range between about 6 and 50 nanometers. The roughness may increase in a radially graded fashion to compensate for the increased linear velocity and concomitant frictional power loss near the outer diameter of the disk. It is important that the uppermost reaches of the textured surface are smooth but not flat in order to obtain lasting low friction operation, which is accomplished by constructing the surface with a highest approximately one percent having an average radius of curvature in a range between 2 microns and 100 microns.

Abstract: An interactive device for lapping transducers has a body with an abrasive surface that communicates with the transducers in order to provide information for controlling the lapping and testing the transducers. The lapping body is preferably shaped as a disk, drum or tape, and communicates with the transducer using a type of signal that the transducer is designed to read and/or write. Thus for lapping a magnetic head or slider to be employed in a hard disk drive, the lapping body contains a magnetic medium layer that is either prerecorded or written by the head during lapping, while the signal received by the head is monitored and analyzed by a processor in order to determine, in part, when to terminate lapping. A series of transducers can be simultaneously lapped while individually monitored, so that each transducer can be removed from the lapping body individually upon receipt of a signal indicating that transducer has been lapped an optimal amount.

Abstract: An interactive system for lapping transducers has an abrasive surface that communicates with the transducers in order to provide information for controlling the lapping and testing the transducers. The lapping body is preferably shaped as a disk, drum or tape, and communicates with the transducer with a type of signal that the transducer is designed to read and/or write. Thus for lapping a magnetic head or slider to be employed in a hard disk drive, the lapping body contains a magnetic medium layer that is either prerecorded or written by the head during lapping, while the signal received by the head is monitored and analyzed by a processor in order to determine, in part, when to terminate lapping. A series of transducers can be simultaneously lapped while individually monitored, so that each transducer can be removed from the lapping body individually upon receipt of a signal indicating that transducer has been lapped an optimal amount.