Abstract: A magnetic slider for magnetic data recording constructed by a process that allows for careful control of seed layer and overcoat thickness. The slider is treated by a process that result in surface pits and scratches. A refill layer is used to fill in the pits and scratches, the refill layer being constructed of a material that does not include Si or carbon. An angled ion beam etching can be used to remove portions of the refill layer that extend outside of the pits and scratches. Then, a seed layer comprising Si and a protective layer comprising C are deposited over the surface. Because the refill layer does not contain either of Si or C, the thickness of the seed layer and carbon overcoat can be acurately measured and controlled, without the refill layer being mistaken for seed or overcoat material.

Abstract: A magnetic slider for magnetic data recording constructed by a process that allows for careful control of seed layer and overcoat thickness. The slider is treated by a process that result in surface pits and scratches. A refill layer is used to fill in the pits and scratches, the refill layer being constructed of a material that does not include Si or carbon. An angled ion beam etching can be used to remove portions of the refill layer that extend outside of the pits and scratches. Then, a seed layer comprising Si and a protective layer comprising C are deposited over the surface. Because the refill layer does not contain either of Si or C, the thickness of the seed layer and carbon overcoat can be accurately measured and controlled, without the refill layer being mistaken for seed or overcoat material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting predetermined surface characteristics in head gimbal assemblies to improve hard disk drive reliability. The predetermined surface characteristics include head slider protrusions such as scratches or contamination that can cause damage to the head or disk in hard drives. By detecting these protrusions, those drives with an increased chance of failure can be removed from a test group, thereby increasing the quality and reliability of the remaining disk drives. The invention provides a method of detecting these protrusions that is a more practical option than using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to inspect each head slider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting predetermined surface characteristics in head gimbal assemblies to improve hard disk drive reliability. The predetermined surface characteristics include head slider protrusions such as scratches or contamination that can cause damage to the head or disk in hard drives. By detecting these protrusions, those drives with an increased chance of failure can be removed from a test group, thereby increasing the quality and reliability of the remaining disk drives. The invention provides a method of detecting these protrusions that is a more practical option than using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to inspect each head slider.

Abstract: A solder balltape comprised of an elongated tail with a ball of solder formed at one end. A plurality of the balltape structures are positioned on a carrier strip of solder. The balltape is positioned in contact with a transducer pad on a magnetic read/write slider and an electrical lead pad. A pulse of focused laser radiation is directed at the ball part of the balltape and a right angle fillet joint is formed. A subsequent laser pulse or a sharpened blade is used to remove the tail from the newly formed fillet joint.

Abstract: A solder balltape comprised of an elongated tail with a ball of solder formed at one end. A plurality of the balltape structures are positioned on a carrier strip of solder. The balltape is positioned in contact with a transducer pad on a magnetic read/write slider and an electrical lead pad. A pulse of focused laser radiation is directed at the ball part of the balltape and a right angle fillet joint is formed. A subsequent laser pulse or a sharpened blade is used to remove the tail from the newly formed fillet joint.

Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the Permalloy (NiFe) in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.

Abstract: A glide sensor suspension assembly for supporting a glide sensor having a slider and a sensor element. The suspension assembly comprises a load beam support member having a load dome projection at one end thereof, and a flexure member having first and second sections, the first section fixedly attached to the load beam support member, and the second section comprising a gimbal flexure section having the slider affixed thereon supported by the load dome projection of the load beam support member. Integrated electrical leads are formed on the flexure member, the electrical leads having output connections at the first section and are connected at the second section to the sensor element, so that the sensor element is electrically connected to the output connections.

Abstract: A integral magnetic head and suspension and method for making the same. The integral head and suspension are fabricated completely on silicon (Si) wafers using semiconductor processes. A N+ silicon layer is disposed over a P- silicon wafer. The N+ silicon layer and the P- silicon wafer are thermally oxidized to generate a bottom silicon oxide layer opposite the N+ layer side of the wafer and a top silicon oxide layer on the N+ side of the wafer, and to drive the N+ silicon into the P- silicon wafer. A layer of polysilicon is disposed over the silicon oxide layer on top of the N+ silicon layer and is then patterned to define the head structure and suspension structure as one piece. Then, a magnetic head is disposed on the polysilicon. Finally, the magnetic head and suspension are separated from the wafer by removing the first silicon oxide layer by a chemical etchant and the P- silicon wafer by selective etching.

Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the permalloy in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.

Abstract: A integral magnetic head and suspension and method for making the same. The integral head and suspension are fabricated completely on silicon (Si) wafers using semiconductor processes. A N+ silicon layer is disposed over a P- silicon wafer. The N+ silicon layer and the P-silicon wafer are thermally oxidized to generate a bottom silicon oxide layer opposite the N+ layer side of the wafer and a top silicon oxide layer on the N+ side of the wafer, and to drive the N+ silicon into the P- silicon wafer. A layer of polysilicon is disposed over the silicon oxide layer on top of the N+ silicon layer and is then patterned to define the head structure and suspension structure as one piece. Then, a magnetic head is disposed on the polysilicon. Finally, the magnetic head and suspension are separated from the wafer by removing the first silicon oxide layer by a chemical etchant and the P- silicon wafer by selective etching.

Abstract: The magnetic recording layer of a recording medium contains a film-forming resin, magnetic particles, poly(ethyleneimine), and an amionic surfactant.

Abstract: An improved CoPt alloy magnetic recording disk for horizontal recording has a magnetic recording layer which includes oxygen, the oxygen being present preferably in the range of approximately 5 to 30 atomic percent. The resulting disk structure has substantially decreased intrinsic media noise at high linear recording density.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the preparation of large surface area, finely divided precipitated calcium carbonate which comprises introducing carbon dioxide into an aqueous slurry of greater than about five weight percent calcium hydroxide containing an anionic organopolyphosphonate polyelectrolyte, starting the introduction at a temperature above about 7.degree. C. and below about 18.degree. C., continuing the introduction until calcite precipitation is substantially complete and adding a quantity of polybasic acid to the slurry in an amount greater than about 0.3% by weight of the precipitated calcium carbonate. This invention also concerns said large surface area, finely divided precipitated calcium carbonate which has been coated with a fatty acid derivative and polymeric compositions which contain such coated calcium carbonate.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the preparation of large surface area, finely divided precipitated calcium carbonate which comprises introducing carbon dioxide into an aqueous slurry of greater than about five weight percent calcium hydroxide containing an anionic organopolyphosphonate polyelectrolyte, starting the introduction at a temperature above about 7.degree. C. and below about 18.degree. C., continuing the introduction until calcite precipitation is substantially complete and adding a quantity of polybasic acid to the slurry in an amount greater than about 0.3% by weight of the precipitated calcium carbonate. This invention also concerns said large surface area, finely divided precipitated calcium carbonate which has been coated with a fatty acid derivative and polymeric compositions which contain such coated calcium carbonate.