Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic recording transducer having air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic recording transducer includes a pole, a side shield, a nonmagnetic gap between the side shield and the pole and at least one coil for energizing the pole. The pole has a pole tip proximate to the ABS. The side shield includes at least one nonconformal portion that extends from a throat height in a stripe height direction perpendicular to the ABS and is nonconformal with the pole. The spacing between the nonconformal portion(s) of the side shield and the pole varies based on a distance from the ABS.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, and a head actuated over the disk. The head is positioned over a track while writing a first frequency pattern substantially centered on the track at a first frequency. After writing the first frequency pattern, a second frequency pattern is written substantially centered on the track at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency pattern is written over the first frequency pattern. After writing the second frequency pattern over the first frequency pattern, the head is scanned across the track while reading the disk to generate a read signal. A first frequency component is extracted from the read signal representing the first frequency.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks. The head is positioned over a track minus a first delta and a first frequency pattern is written at a first frequency. The head is positioned over the track plus a second delta and a second frequency pattern is written at a second frequency different from the first frequency. After writing the first frequency pattern and second frequency pattern, a third frequency pattern is written substantially centered on the track at a third frequency. After writing the third frequency pattern, the head is scanned across the track while reading the disk to generate a read signal. A first frequency component is extracted from the read signal representing the first frequency, and a second frequency component is extracted from the read signal representing the second frequency.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic read transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a first shield, a second shield, and a read sensor between the first shield and the second shield. The read sensor extends along a stripe height direction perpendicular to the ABS. A first portion of the read sensor at the ABS has a first width in a track width direction parallel to the ABS. A second portion of the read sensor is recessed from the ABS along the stripe height direction and has a second width in the track width direction. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A magnetic memory cell comprises in-plane anisotropy tunneling magnetic junction (TMJ) and two fixed in-plane storage-stabilized layers, which splits on the both side of the data storage layer of the TMJ. The magnetizations of the said fixed in-plane storage-stabilized layers are all normal to that of the reference layer of TMJ but point to opposite direction. The existing of the storage-stabilized layers not only enhances the stability of the data storage, but also can reduce the critical current needed to flip the data storage layer via some specially added features.

Abstract: A new magnetic memory cell comprises a perpendicular-anisotropy tunneling magnetic junction (TMJ) and a fixed in-plane spin-polarizing layer, which is separated from the perpendicular-anisotropy data storage layer of tunneling magnetic junction by a non-magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer can be made of metallic or dielectric materials.

Abstract: A high-precision alignment method with high throughput is proposed, which can be used for wafer-to-wafer, chip-to-wafer or chip-to-chip bonding. The scheme implements pairing patterned magnets predetermined designed and made using wafer level process on two components (wafer or chip). The magnetization in patterned magnet can be set at predetermined configuration before bonding starts. When, the two components are bought to close proximity after a coarse alignment, the magnetic force will bring the magnet pairs together and aligned the patterned magnet on one component with its mirrored or complimentary patterned magnets on the other component to minimize the overall the magnetic energy of the pairing magnet. A few patterned magnet structures and materials, with their unique merits are proposed as examples for magnet pair for the self-alignment purpose.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a plurality of data tracks, and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a first read element and a second read element. A data track is read to generate a first read signal emanating from the first read element and a second read signal emanating from the second read element. The first read signal is delayed in continuous time relative to the second read signal to generate a delayed read signal, and the second read signal is combined with the delayed read signal to generate a combined read signal. An estimated data sequence is detected from the combined read signal.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: A method fabricates a side shield for a magnetic transducer having a nonmagnetic layer and an ABS location corresponding to an ABS. The nonmagnetic layer has a pole trench therein. The pole trench has a shape and location corresponding to the pole. A wet etchable layer is deposited. Part of the wet etchable layer resides in the pole trench. A pole is formed. The pole has a bottom and a top wider than the bottom in the pole tip region. Part of the pole in the pole tip region is in the pole trench on at least part of the wet etchable layer. At least parts of the wet etchable layer and the nonmagnetic layer are removed, forming an air bridge. The air bridge is between part of the pole at the ABS location and an underlying layer. Side shield layer(s) that substantially fill the air bridge are deposited.

Abstract: A new class of the memory cell is proposed. There are two separated pulse data writing and sensing current paths. The in-plane pulse current is used to flip the magnetization direction of the perpendicular-anisotropy data storage layer sandwiched between a heavy metal writing current-carrying layer and a dielectric layer. The magnetization state within data storage layer is detected by the patterned perpendicular-anisotropy tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) stack via the output potential of the stack.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head comprises a write pole including a throat region with a leading edge, a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, and first and second side edges opposite one another. The magnetic recording head further comprises a first side wall gap layer disposed alongside the first side edge of the throat region, and a second side wall gap layer disposed alongside the second side edge of the throat region. Each of the first and second side wall gap layers has a first width at the leading edge of the throat region smaller than a second width at the trailing edge of the throat region.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductive coil that carries current to induce a first field in the write element. A first conductor is proximate a leading edge of the write pole tip for carrying current to generate a second field that augments the first field.

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 data storage medium comprises a plurality of data regions, and a plurality of servo regions configured to provide positioning information to a reading device. Each of the plurality of data regions corresponds to more than one of the plurality of servo regions. The more than one of the plurality of servo regions are configured to provide positioning information to the reading device at discrete times corresponding to a data operation of a corresponding data region.

Abstract: A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) read head and a method of producing the same are disclosed. A free layer having a free layer stripe height is provided, the free layer having a first side and a second side. A tunneling barrier layer is formed adjacent to the first side of the free layer, the tunneling barrier layer having a first side and a second side, the second side of the tunneling barrier layer facing the first side of the free layer. A pinned stack is formed adjacent to the first side of the tunneling barrier layer. The pinned stack comprises at least one magnetic layer having a current path stripe height that is less than the free layer stripe height.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a plurality of data tracks, and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a first read element and a second read element. A data track is read to generate a first read signal emanating from the first read element and a second read signal emanating from the second read element. The first read signal is delayed relative to the second read signal to generate a delayed read signal, and the second read signal is combined with the delayed read signal to generate a combined read signal. An estimated data sequence is detected from the combined read signal.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: Disclosed is a read head for reading data from a magnetic media. The read head includes a bottom magnetic shield layer, a top magnetic shield layer, and a read sensor disposed between the bottom and top magnetic shield layers. The read sensor is configured for sensing changes in a magnetic field of the magnetic media positioned under the read sensor. The read sensor has a front end adjacent to an air bearing surface (ABS) and a back end opposite the front end. The read head also includes a back magnetic shield layer positioned between the bottom and top magnetic shield layers and behind the back end of the read sensor distal to the ABS.