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 magnetic writer includes a write element and an oscillation device disposed adjacent to the write element. The first oscillation device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer having a magnetization vector including a component perpendicular to a major plane of the first magnetic layer. The first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first oscillation device generates a high-frequency oscillation field when a current is directed perpendicular to the major plane of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tuning a variable resistance resistive sense element of an electronic device. In some embodiments, a value indicative of a selected number of consecutive pulses is stored in a memory location and a resistive sense element (RSE) is set to a baseline RSE resistance. A tuning operation is performed by applying the selected number of consecutive pulses to the RSE to tune the baseline RSE resistance to a final adjusted resistance.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a reference layer having a first magnetization direction and a free layer assembly having an effective magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the first magnetization direction and substantially perpendicular to a plane of each layer of the free layer assembly. A spacer layer is between the reference layer and the free layer, and a signal enhancement layer is exchange coupled to the free layer assembly on a side opposite the spacer layer.

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 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 magnetic writer includes a write element and an oscillation device disposed adjacent to the write element. The first oscillation device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer having a magnetization vector including a component perpendicular to a major plane of the first magnetic layer. The first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first oscillation device generates a high-frequency oscillation field when a current is directed perpendicular to the major plane of the first magnetic layer.

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 transducing head includes a multilayered magnetoresistive sensor having an air bearing sidewall opposite aback sidewall and a first sidewall opposite a second sidewall. A specular layer is positioned on at least one of the air bearing sidewall, the back sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall. Each sidewall is transverse to the layers of the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A test circuit employs use of first and second switches to operably charge a capacitor to over 500 volts and, thereafter, discharge energy stored in the capacitor to test an over-voltage protection circuit associated with a pin of a semiconductor device. When switched by a controller, the first switch couples a high voltage source to charge a capacitor. After completing this charge phase, the controller opens the first switch, decoupling the high voltage source from the capacitor. The controller then activates the second switch to couple the capacitor to the pin of the semiconductor device. During this discharge phase, energy in the capacitor discharges through the protection circuit of the semiconductor device. Use of a high-voltage dry reed vacuum relay as the first switch provides better isolation of the high voltage source from the capacitor, avoiding a presence of an unwanted residual voltage component in a simulated ESD test pulse.

Abstract: Management of multiple types of empty carriers in automated material handling systems. In one embodiment, an automated material handling system (AMHS) includes a plurality of material carriers including a plurality of empty carriers classified into two or more types and one or more stock areas, each including a plurality of bins for storing material carriers. Each stock area is associated with one or more thresholds for each empty carrier type. The AMHS further includes a control system coupled to a first one of the stock areas for computing an empty percentage for each empty carrier type. The empty percentage for a particular empty carrier type is the percentage of bins of the first one stock area which contain empty carriers of the particular type.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, the present invention is directed to a new and efficient method for bringing at least two items together from independent locations via separate paths in a computer controlled manufacturing environment. Using the computer, the probabilities for pickup and delivery of each of the two items are generated and used to determine an efficient manner in which to bring the items together via the separate paths.

Abstract: A reticle sorter and a semiconductor fabrication facility employing one or more reticle sorters is provided. The reticle sorter(s) generally lies between a reticle storage system and a group of one or more photolithography exposure tools (e.g., steppers) and is configured for sorting reticles in one or more cassettes. The use of the reticle sorter provides sorting functionality apart from the reticle storage system and typically closer to the group of photolithography steppers with which it is associated. This can, for example, significantly increase the throughput of semiconductor wafers through the associated photolithography exposure tools as well as in the semiconductor fabrication plant as a whole.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method includes pre-processing objects (such as, e.g., mail or other thin-objects) that are delivered to an object feeder. Various embodiments disclosed herein can have various advantages, such as enhancing processing, improving ergonomics and/or other advantages.

Abstract: A read/write head includes a bottom shield and a shared shield. The shared shield includes a first domain and a plurality of closure domains. The read/write head also includes a magnetoresistive sensor deposited adjacent an air bearing surface between the bottom shield and the shared shield. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a magnetoresistor aligned with the first domain. Non-magnetic material separates the magnetoresistive sensor from the bottom shield and the shared shield. The shared shield includes a shaped feature that defines an unambiguous direction of magnetization for the first domain.

Abstract: A process of forming a microactuator for positioning a transducing head over a selected radial track of a rotatable disc in a disc drive system is disclosed. A tub is etched in a substrate, and a bottom coil layer is plated at least partially in the tub. A first insulating layer is deposited on the bottom coil layer. A ferromagnetic core layer is formed on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is deposited on and around the ferromagnetic core layer. A top coil layer is plated on the second insulating layer, and contacts the bottom coil layer at a point spaced from the ferromagnetic core. A rotor is formed on a rotor substrate to confront the ferromagnetic core, is operatively attached to the slider and is movable with respect to the ferromagnetic core.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive spin valve for use in a magnetic read head includes a ferromagnetic free layer and a multilayer cap layer. The free layer has a rotatable magnetic moment. The multilayer cap layer is positioned adjacent to the free layer for increasing electron specular scattering of the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprising a substrate, a non-magnetic seed layer deposited on the substrate, a bottom magnetic core piece positioned over and contacting the non-magnetic seed layer, a magnetic seed layer, and a top magnetic core piece positioned over and contacting the magnetic seed layer.