Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a colloidal immersion lithography medium is provided. The medium comprises: a) a continuous liquid phase comprising a liquid having an index of refraction of at least 1.0, generally 1.4; and b) a plurality of particles having an average particle size between 1 nanometer and 2 microns and having an index of refraction of at least that of the liquid, substantially homogeneously dispersed in the liquid phase. Also provided are methods of preparing a colloidal immersion lithography medium, immersion lithography systems, and immersion lithography processes.

Abstract: A write pole for a magnetic recording head, such as a perpendicular magnetic recording head, includes a first magnetic layer comprising a material having a first saturation magnetic moment and a second magnetic layer adjacent the first magnetic layer wherein the second magnetic layer comprises a material having a second saturation magnetic moment that is greater than the first saturation magnetic moment. The write pole also comprises a non-magnetic layer between a portion of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer may be formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer adjacent an air-bearing surface of the recording head. A disc drive storage system having a recording head with means for reducing skew sensitivity of the recording head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording head with a multilayer electromagnetic (EM) radiation emission structure. The multilayer EM radiation emission structure is in optical communication with a light source for heating a recording medium. Particularly, the multilayer EM radiation emission structure includes a conducting layer for receiving the light source and a protective layer formed adjacent the conducting layer to protect the conducting layer from contact with a recording medium. An aperture extends through the conducting layer in the protective layer to allow the light source to pass therethrough to heat the recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a ferroelectric storage medium, and a transducer for reading data from the ferroelectric storage medium and for writing data to the ferroelectric storage medium, wherein the transducer includes a substrate and a probe coupled to the substrate, wherein the probe includes a conductive element and a bilayer structure causing the probe to bend toward the ferroelectric storage medium.

Abstract: A transducer comprises a conductive pin and a waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation onto the pin, wherein the pin is configured to create a rectangular flat top field distribution at a surface of a storage medium positioned adjacent to an end of the pin, leading to a flat top thermal profile within the storage medium. A second pin can be included in the transducer. Recording heads that include the transducer, disc drives that include the recording head, and a method of heating a portion of a storage medium that is performed by the recording head, are also included.

Abstract: A write pole for a magnetic recording head, such as a perpendicular magnetic recording head, includes a first magnetic layer comprising a material having a first saturation magnetic moment and a second magnetic layer adjacent the first magnetic layer wherein the second magnetic layer comprises a material having a second saturation magnetic moment that is greater than the first saturation magnetic moment. The write pole also comprises a non-magnetic layer between a portion of the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer may be formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer adjacent an air-bearing surface of the recording head. A disc drive storage system having a recording head with means for reducing skew sensitivity of the recording head is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated read/write perpendicular recording head facilitates the use of magnetic storage media having a high magnetic recording density and high data rates. The use of a perpendicular write portion provides adequate space between the main and opposing poles for a read element and associated electrical contacts therebetween. The use of a differential dual spin valve as a read element eliminates the need for magnetic shielding of the read element. Such a structure permits the read element and main write pole to be close together, thereby minimizing seek time, and permitting rapid transition from read to write operations, and vice versa.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the method of the present invention is embodied in a method for fabricating a magnetoresistive head structure which includes obtaining a lead and magnetic bias layer, applying a photoresist layer over the lead and magnetic bias layer and about a desired position of a sensor such that the desired position of the sensor is substantially free of the photoresist layer, etching the lead and magnetic bias material substantially at the desired position of the sensor, depositing a sensor at the desired position of the sensor; and removing the photoresist. Obtaining the lead and magnetic bias layers can be done by depositing them.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a lapping apparatus and method for accurately obtaining the height of a magnetoresistive (MR) element of a magnetic head during a lapping process. The apparatus includes a source for inducing a magnetic excitation field, and a current source for applying a sense current to a prepatterned photolithographically formed MR element. A sensor monitors the resistance of the MR element in response to variations in the magnetic excitation field, and controls the lapping process in response to the monitored resistance of the MR element. In one embodiment, the MR element includes a GMR formed of a stack of parallel MR layers and operates either in a CPP (Current-Perpendicular-to-the Plane) mode or in a CIP (Current-In-the Plane) mode. In a particular embodiment, the magnetic excitation field is generated by a conductor formed on the magnetic head.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for a disc drive having an array of magnetic heads contained in a transducer device which, during operation of the disc drive, is maintained at the appropriate distance from a disc by an air bearing. The transducer device is secured to a flexible gimbal connected to a bracket. A pivot is located between the gimbal and bracket about which the transducer device may pivot to properly position itself in response to the air flow at the surface of the disc.