Abstract: In a magnetic read/write transducer, the elements of the magnetoresistive (MR) and inductive heads are shorted together and to the slider substrate to provide a low resistance, conductive path bypassing the MR sensor element and minimizing electrical current through the MR sensor element during discharge of static electric charge. The MR sensor element, the MR conductive leads, the MR magnetic shield elements and inductive pole tips exposed at the slider air bearing surface are shorted together and to the slider substrate by a layer of conductive material, such as tungsten, formed over the slider air bearing surface. The conductive layer shorts the head elements together and to the slider substrate thus protecting the head against ESD/EOS damage during subsequent handling and assembly. The conductive layer is removed by wet etching prior to placing the magnetic head into operation in a magnetic storage system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting abnormal operation in a magnetic disk file which comprises reading data for each head and each track to obtain a readback signal. The readback signal is read from a predetermined area of each track on a disk that is not normally rewritten during normal operation of the system. The amplitude of the signal read from one track is compared with the amplitude of the signals read from other tracks, and an alarm condition when the comparison indicates a variation which exceeds a predetermined level. Corrective action can be taken in response to the alarm condition prior to an actual failure condition in the magnetic disk file.

Abstract: The rate of deposition of metallic film on a substrate in an electroless plating process is substantially increased without affecting film properties or causing adverse consequences to the plating bath. The boiling point of the plating bath is elevated either by adding to the bath a substance, such as ethylene glycol, which does not alter the reactivity of the bath, or by providing a sealed enclosure over the bath to increase the ambient pressure. The bath is then heated to a substantially higher temperature but below the temperature at which localized boiling occurs. Excellent metal film qualities are obtained on the substrate at a substantially higher rate than in conventional electroless plating and no nucleation sites are created in the bath to cause spontaneous decomposition of the bath.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording medium for deposition on a record carrier includes a ferromagnetic alloy containing iron, cobalt and chromium. The ferromagnetic alloy consists of from 0-55% cobalt, from 8-22% of chromium with the remainder iron. The preferred range of chromium is from 10-18%. The magnetic recording layer is vacuum deposited over an extended portion of a record carrier for storing information which is represented by the spatial distribution of magnetic transitions in the magnetic layer. The iron-cobalt-chromium or iron-chromium composition according to this invention, gives the best magnetic properties consistent with excellent corrosion resistance.