Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a first communication module including a transmitter configured to generate a modulated magnetic field and a second communication module including a receiver. The receiver of the second communication module includes a solid magnetic field sensor configured to sense the magnetic field. Information is transferred from the first communication module to the second communication module via the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic writer. The magnetic writer comprises a write circuit, a write pole, a first write coil for inducing a first magnetic field in the write pole by a first current provided by the write circuit, and a second write coil for inducing a second magnetic field in the write pole by a second current provided by the write circuit. The write circuit provides a first current through the first coil and a second current through the second coil. The write circuit controls the direction of the first current and the second current so that, during writing, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface that are in the same direction. When not writing, the first magnetic field and second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface in opposite directions.

Abstract: A shock sensor comprises a substrate and at least one flexure coupled to the substrate and configured to deflect upon an application of force to the shock sensor sufficient to deflect the flexure. Deflection of the at least one flexure produces a detectable change in an electrical property of the shock sensor. Examples of detectable changes in an electrical property of the shock sensor include an open circuit condition, a closed circuit condition, and a variation in voltage of a piezo-electric detector. In some embodiments, the change in the electrical property of the shock sensor may be remotely read by interrogation of a radio frequency identification transponder positioned on the substrate using a remote radio frequency identification transceiver. The disclosure also relates to a shock sensing system and method of shock detection.

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.

Abstract: A device comprises a fluid bearing including a textured fluid bearing surface and a second surface and a recordable disc. The recordable disc includes a substrate, a recordable media layer on the substrate, and at least one of the textured fluid bearing surface and the second surface. The device may be manufactured using MEMS techniques. MEMS techniques provide the high precision necessary to create the textured fluid bearing surface. MEMS techniques also allow the recordable disc to be batch-fabricated with one or more additional recordable discs.

Abstract: A device comprises a recordable disc, a substrate adjacent to the recordable disc, and an actuation mechanism fixed to the substrate. The recordable disc includes a base layer and a recordable layer on the base layer. Additional electrodes or magnetic components may be placed on the base layer to provide electromagnetic or electrostatic forces to rotate the recordable disc when acted on by the actuation mechanism. As an example, the invention may utilize MEMS techniques in order to integrate a disc and motor of a disc drive as a common component.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) disc drive includes high-precision and integrated components to allow for increased functionality, robustness and reduced size as compared to currently produced disc drives. Integrating multiple subcomponents of the disc drive using batch processing provides low manufacturing costs. Furthermore, using MEMS techniques, new features can be added to disc drives. For example, an environmental control component, an accelerometer and/or a thermometer may be integrated into the housing of the disc drive.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for integrated interconnects with a set of disc drives. The interconnects allow for a set of disc drives to be positioned in an array; for example, as set of disc drives may be stacked to communicate with a device through a single interface of the device. The interconnects may be formed as vias within the housing of the disc drives. Vias may produced using MEMS techniques, e.g., electroplating, as part of the manufacturing processes of the disc drive itself.

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.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic MEMS sensors. The sensors include a substrate having a surface, a first magnetic field detector positioned on the surface, a second magnetic field detector positioned on the surface proximate to the first magnetic field detector, and a third magnetic field detector positioned on the surface proximate to the first and second magnetic field detectors. Each of the first, second and third magnetic field detector is capable of detecting external magnetic fields that are mutually orthogonal along three directions. In certain embodiments, the magnetic MEMS sensors may be useful as electronic compasses. The disclosure also relates to fabricating a magnetic MEMS device, such as an electronic compass, from or on a single wafer, which includes multiple MEMS sensors.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for recording data having reduced erasure caused by a magnetic field is disclosed. The magnetic write head include a main pole and a conductive coil positioned adjacent the main pole. The conductive coil is insulated from the main pole. The magnetic write head includes means for directing a magnetic field produced by the conductive coil toward the main pole.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head having an air bearing surface for confronting a surface of a rotating disc and comprising a pole tip and a generally rounded and substantially planar body attached to the pole tip is disclosed. The width of the pole tip defines a track width of data written to the rotating disc. The generally rounded shape of the top pole body is such that top pole magnetization gradually changes its direction and follows the edges of the body. Further, the pole tip has low remanence, gradual spin structure and no domain walls formed near the pole tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) or magnetic MEMS devices, particularly electronic devices in which a member adjoins a base or substrate and extends from the substrate proximate to a magnetic field element having an altered output associated with movement of the member. The first magnetic field element is adapted to emit or detect a magnetic field and positioned proximate to the member, and the second magnetic field element adapted to emit or detect a magnetic field and positioned proximate to the base or substrate, such that movement of the member in a first direction by a non-magnetic force results in a variation of magnetic field strength associated with displacement of the sensor in a first direction. The invention also relates to methods for fabricating magnetic MEMS devices, transducers, sensors, and accelerometers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a data storage system. The data storage system includes an enclosure and at least one perpendicular recording device positioned within the enclosure and in communication with a recording medium. The recording medium includes a layer of magnetic material that has a permeability that is substantially similar to a permeability of a magnetic material in the recording device. The data storage system also includes a soft magnetic material included in the enclosure for shielding magnetic stray fields from the perpendicular recording device. The soft magnetic material has a permeability that is at least as great as approximately the permeability of the layer of magnetic material of the recording medium.

Abstract: The writing pole is formed of a magnetic material and includes a pole tip having an air-bearing surface and a throat portion extending away from the pole tip and away from the air-bearing surface. At least two surfaces of the throat portion are non-perpendicular to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording head with a storage medium. The head includes an assist mechanism to assist operation of the head.

Abstract: A beveled writing pole includes a top portion, a beveled portion, and a throat portion. The top portion has an end that defines a writing pole tip. The beveled portion adjoins the top portion and has a bevel that extends from the writing pole tip and increases a thickness of the writing pole proximate the pole tip. The throat portion is formed of the top and beveled portions and has tapered sides that extend from the writing pole tip and increase a width of the writing pole proximate the writing pole tip. A method of forming the beveled writing pole is also presented.

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 is formed at least in part of a magnetic material having a material property that reduces side writing at the magnetic element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic writer. The magnetic writer comprises a write circuit, a write pole, a first write coil for inducing a first magnetic field in the write pole by a first current provided by the write circuit, and a second write coil for inducing a second magnetic field in the write pole by a second current provided by the write circuit. The write circuit provides a first current through the first coil and a second current through the second coil. The write circuit controls the direction of the first current and the second current so that, during writing, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface that are in the same direction. When not writing, the first magnetic field and second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface in opposite directions.

Abstract: A differential read head comprises one tri-layer reader or a plurality of tri-layer readers operating in a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) mode. The tri-layer readers each comprise a first free layer, a second free layer, and a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween. A nonmagnetic spacer is positioned between the plurality of tri-layer readers for electrically connecting the plurality of tri-layer readers in series such that a single CPP sense current representing a differential signal flows serially through the read head. With a single tri-layer reader, the free layers are spaced by a width substantially similar to the transition width of the magnetic medium.