Abstract: The method and system for providing a spin tunneling element are disclosed. The method and system include depositing a pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. The barrier layer has a first crystal structure and a texture. The free layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic is adjacent to the second ferromagnetic layer and between the second ferromagnetic layer and the barrier layer. The first ferromagnetic layer has the first crystal structure and the texture, while the second ferromagnetic layer has a second crystal structure different from the first crystal structure.

Abstract: Optical multiplexers and demultiplexers are provided. In one implementation an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first laser diode pair, a second laser diode pair, a polarization rotator coupled between the first and the second laser diode pairs, and an output port. The first and second laser diode pairs include a first laser diode, a polarization beam splitter, a first quarter waveplate, a filter; a second quarter waveplate, and a second laser diode. The first and second laser diode pairs are coupled to the polarization rotator at the polarization beam splitter of each laser diode pair. In one implementation the apparatus is operable to multiplex distinct light signals emitted from the first and second laser diodes. In another implementation, an apparatus is provided that is operable to demultiplex an input light beam having a plurality of distinct channels.

Abstract: Optical multiplexers and demultiplexers are provided. In one implementation an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first laser diode pair, a second laser diode pair, a polarization rotator coupled between the first and the second laser diode pairs, and an output port. The first and second laser diode pairs include a first laser diode, a polarization beam splitter, a first quarter waveplate, a filter; a second quarter waveplate, and a second laser diode. The first and second laser diode pairs are coupled to the polarization rotator at the polarization beam splitter of each laser diode pair. In one implementation the apparatus is operable to multiplex distinct light signals emitted from the first and second laser diodes. In another implementation, an apparatus is provided that is operable to demultiplex an input light beam having a plurality of distinct channels.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for routing and aligning beams and optical elements in an optical device include a multiplexing device and/or a demultiplexing device, which includes an optical alignment element (OAE). The OAE can be configured to substantially compensate for the cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The OAE allows the optical elements in a device, other than the OAE, to be placed and fixed in place without substantially compensating for optical alignment errors. The OAE is inserted into the beam path and adjusted. This greatly increases the ease in the manufacturing of optical devices, especially for devices with numerous optical elements, and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device can reside within a standard small form factor, such as a GBIC. The devices fold the paths of the traversing beams with a geometry which allows a small package.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for routing and aligning beams and optical elements in an optical device include a multiplexing device and/or a demultiplexing device, which includes an optical alignment element (OAE). The OAE can be configured to substantially compensate for the cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The OAE allows the optical elements in a device, other than the OAE, to be placed and fixed in place without substantially compensating for optical alignment errors. The OAE is inserted into the beam path and adjusted. This greatly increases the ease in the manufacturing of optical devices, especially for devices with numerous optical elements, and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device can reside within a standard small form factor, such as a GBIC. The devices fold the paths of the traversing beams with a geometry which allows a small package.

Abstract: An optical subassembly utilizes a core with a first, second, and third faces. The first and second faces are coupled, non-parallel, and non-co-planar for changing a path of a beam, and their intersection defines an axis. Filters are coupled to the third face. The light path traverses between the first or second face and each filter such that, at each filter, no portion of the light path interferes with any other portion of the light path. The light path also traverses the core in a direction along the axis. This is facilitated by the light path traversing an external surface of a filter at an angle. The device includes adjustable ports residing at the same side of the device. Filters are coupled to the core and optically coupled to the adjustable ports. The light path travels down the core and exit or enter the device via the adjustable ports.

Abstract: A GMR spin valve is provided for reading a magnetic signal from a magnetic recording medium. The spin valve includes a non-magnetic layer such as for example copper, separated by first and second magnetic layers. The spin valve includes a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, the resistance of the spin valve changing with the relative angle between the direction of magnetization of free and pinned layers. Extremely smooth surfaces are provided at the interfaces between the non-magnetic layer and the adjacent magnetic layers. This smooth interface greatly enhances the performance and reliability of the spin valve by allowing extremely tight control of the thickness of the non-magnetic layer and by preventing atomic diffusion between the non-magnetic and magnetic layers. This smooth interface is achieved by including a surfactant in the deposition of the non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: An optical subassembly utilizes a core with a first, second, and third faces. The first and second faces are coupled, non-parallel, and non-co-planar for changing a path of a beam, and their intersection defines an axis. Filters are coupled to the third face. The light path traverses between the first or second face and each filter such that, at each filter, no portion of the light path interferes with any other portion of the light path. The light path also traverses the core in a direction along the axis. This is facilitated by the light path traversing an external surface of a filter at an angle. The device includes adjustable ports residing at the same side of the device. Filters are coupled to the core and optically coupled to the adjustable ports. The light path travels down the core and exit or enter the device via the adjustable ports.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for routing and aligning beams and optical elements in an optical device include a multiplexing device and/or a demultiplexing device, which includes an optical alignment element (OAE). The OAE can be configured to substantially compensate for the cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The OAE allows the optical elements in a device, other than the OAE, to be placed and fixed in place without substantially compensating for optical alignment errors. The OAE is inserted into the beam path and adjusted. This greatly increases the ease in the manufacturing of optical devices, especially for devices with numerous optical elements, and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device can reside within a standard small form factor, such as a GBIC. The devices fold the paths of the traversing beams with a geometry which allows a small package.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetoresistive sensor for reading data from a recording media is disclosed. The method and system include providing at least one barrier layer and a free layer having at least one edge. The at least one edge of the free layer is adjacent to the at least one barrier layer. The free layer is ferromagnetic and has a low coercivity. The method and system also include providing at least one hard magnetic layer. The at least one hard magnetic layer has a coercivity greater than the free layer coercivity. The at least one barrier layer is disposed between the at least one hard magnetic layer and the free layer. The at least one barrier layer is sufficiently thin to allow tunneling of charge carriers between the at least one hard magnetic layer and the free layer.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for routing and aligning beams and optical elements in an optical device include a multiplexing device and/or a demultiplexing device, which includes an optical alignment element (OAE). The OAE can be configured to substantially compensate for the cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The OAE allows the optical elements in a device, other than the OAE, to be placed and fixed in place without substantially compensating for optical alignment errors. The OAE is inserted into the beam path and adjusted. This greatly increases the ease in the manufacturing of optical devices, especially for devices with numerous optical elements, and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device can reside within a standard small form factor, such as a GBIC. The devices fold the paths of the traversing beams with a geometry which allows a small package.

Abstract: A GMR spin valve is provided for reading a magnetic signal from a magnetic recording medium. The spin valve includes a non-magnetic layer such as for example copper, separated by first and second magnetic layers. The spin valve includes a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer, the resistance of the spin valve changing with the relative angle between the direction of magnetization of free and pinned layers. Extremely smooth surfaces are provided at the interfaces between the non-magnetic layer and the adjacent magnetic layers. This smooth interface greatly enhances the performance and reliability of the spin valve by allowing extremely tight control of the thickness of the non-magnetic layer and by preventing atomic diffusion between the non-magnetic and magnetic layers. This smooth interface is achieved by including a surfactant in the deposition of the non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: A structure which includes a ferromagnetic (FM) layer, a thin oxide layer, and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer is provided. The thin oxide layer, between 1 to 10 oxygen atoms in thickness, minimizes interlayer atomic diffusion between the FM layer and the antiferromagnetic layer. In a preferred embodiment, a spin valve sensor with improved thermal stability is provided by including the thin oxide layer between a FM layer and an AFM layer. The presence of the thin oxide layer also results in an improved spin valve sensor with an enhanced exchange pinning field.