Patents by Inventor Simon H. Liao
Simon H. Liao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160163338Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a read sensor. The read sensor has an antiferromagnetic layer (AFM), a first antiparallel magnetic layer (AP1 ) positioned above the AFM layer in a first direction oriented along a media-facing surface and perpendicular to a track width direction, a non-magnetic layer positioned above the AP1 in the first direction, a second antiparallel magnetic layer (AP2) positioned above the non-magnetic layer in the first direction, a harrier layer positioned above the AP2 in the first direction, and a free layer positioned above the barrier layer in the first direction. A soft bias layer is positioned behind at least a portion of the free layer in an element height direction normal to the media-facing surface, the soft bias layer including a soft magnetic material configured to compensate for a magnetic coupling of the free layer with the AP2.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Kuok S. Ho, Nian Ji, Quang Le, Ying Li, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Xiaoyong Liu, Suping Song, Shuxia Wang, Hualiang Yu
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Patent number: 9202482Abstract: A magnetic sensor having a novel pinning structure resulting in a greatly reduced gap spacing. The sensor has a magnetic free layer structure that extends to a first stripe height and a magnetic pinned layer structure that extends to a second stripe height that is longer than the first stripe high. A layer of anti-ferromagnetic material is formed over the pinned layer structure in the region beyond the first stripe height location. In this way, the antiferromagnetic layer is between the pinned layer and the second or upper shield and does not contribute to gap spacing.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Kochan Ju, Youfeng Zheng
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Publication number: 20150221328Abstract: A magnetic sensor having a structure that optimizes magnetic pinning strength and magnetic free layer stability. The sensor includes a sensor stack having a magnetic free layer that extends to a first stripe height and a pinned layer that extends beyond the first stripe height to a second stripe height. Magnetic bias structures are formed at the sides of the free layer and are each formed upon a non-magnetic fill layer that raises the bias layer to the level of the free layer, the non-magnetic fill layer being at the level of the pinned layer in the sensor stack. The fill layer allows the free layer stripe height to be defined in a partial mill process while allowing the pinned layer to extend beyond the free layer stripe height and also advantageously allows the bias layers to have a stripe height that is aligned with the free layer stripe height.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Stefan Maat, Shuxia Wang
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Publication number: 20150118520Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having improved pinning and reduced area resistance. The sensor has pinned magnetic layer that extends beyond the functional stripe of the sensor to improve magnetic pinning. The free layer has a magnetic portion that extends to the functional stripe height and a non-magnetic portion that extends beyond the functional stripe height. The sensor may have an end point detection layer located between the magnetic pinned layer and the magnetic free layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Yongchul Ahn, Xiaozhong Dang, Cherngye Hwang, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Stefan Maat
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Publication number: 20150062751Abstract: A magnetic sensor having a novel pinning structure resulting in a greatly reduced gap spacing. The sensor has a magnetic free layer structure that extends to a first stripe height and a magnetic pinned layer structure that extends to a second stripe height that is longer than the first stripe high. A layer of anti-ferromagnetic material is formed over the pinned layer structure in the region beyond the first stripe height location. In this way, the antiferromagnetic layer is between the pinned layer and the second or upper shield and does not contribute to gap spacing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Kochan Ju, Youfeng Zheng
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Patent number: 8941954Abstract: A magnetic read head that has improved pinned layer stability while also maintaining excellent free layer stability. The free layer has sides that define a trackwidth of the sensor and a back edge that defines a functional stripe height of the sensor. However, the pinned layer can extend significantly beyond both the width of the free layer and the back edge (e.g. stripe height) of the free layer. The sensor also has a soft magnetic bias structure that compensates for the reduced volume presented by the side extension of the pinned layer. The soft magnetic bias structure can be magnetically coupled with the trailing magnetic shield, either parallel coupled or anti-parallel coupled. In addition, all or a portion of the soft magnetic bias structure can be exchange coupled to a layer of anti-ferromagnetic material in order to improve the robustness of the soft magnetic bias structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Kochan Ju, Youfeng Zheng
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Patent number: 8907666Abstract: A scissor style magnetic sensor having a novel hard bias structure for improved magnetic biasing robustness. The sensor includes a sensor stack that includes first and second magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer such as an electrically insulating barrier layer or an electrically conductive spacer layer. The first and second magnetic layers have magnetizations that are antiparallel coupled, but that are canted in a direction that is neither parallel with nor perpendicular to the air bearing surface by a magnetic bias structure. The magnetic bias structure includes a neck portion extending from the back edge of the sensor stack and having first and second sides that are aligned with first and second sides of the sensor stack. The bias structure also includes a tapered or wedged portion extending backward from the neck portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Shuxia Wang, Guangli Liu, Yongchul Ahn
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Patent number: 8842395Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having an extended pinned layer structure and also having an extended free layer structure. The extended pinned layer structure and extended free layer structure both extend beyond the strip height of the free layer of the sensor to provide improved pinning strength as well as improved free layer biasing reliability and bias field strength.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Kochan Ju, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu
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Patent number: 8797694Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having a hard bias structure that extends beyond the back edge of the sensor stack by a controlled, distance that is chosen to maximize both hard bias field and hard bias magnetic coercivity and anisotropy. The hard bias structure has a back edge that is well defined and that has a square corner at its innermost end adjacent to the sensor stack. The magnetic sensor can be constructed by a process that includes a separate making an milling process that is dedicated to defining the back edge of the hard bias structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, David J. Seagle, Guangli Liu, Yongchul Ahn, Simon H. Liao
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Publication number: 20140178713Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having reduced hard bias free layer spacing and improved insulation robustness between the hard bias layers and the shield and sensor. The read sensor has a novel bi-layer insulation layer that can be made very thin while also providing good electrical insulation to prevent sense current shunting. The bi-layer insulation layer can be made by a process that provides improved sensor performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu
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Publication number: 20140168822Abstract: A magnetic read head that has improved pinned layer stability while also maintaining excellent free layer stability. The free layer has sides that define a trackwidth of the sensor and a back edge that defines a functional stripe height of the sensor. However, the pinned layer can extend significantly beyond both the width of the free layer and the back edge (e.g. stripe height) of the free layer. The sensor also has a soft magnetic bias structure that compensates for the reduced volume presented by the side extension of the pinned layer. The soft magnetic bias structure can be magnetically coupled with the trailing magnetic shield, either parallel coupled or anti-parallel coupled. In addition, all or a portion of the soft magnetic bias structure can be exchange coupled to a layer of anti-ferromagnetic material in order to improve the robustness of the soft magnetic bias structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Kochan Ju, Youfeng Zheng
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Publication number: 20140168824Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having an extended pinned layer structure and also having an extended free layer structure. The extended pinned layer structure and extended free layer structure both extend beyond the strip height of the free layer of the sensor to provide improved pinning strength as well as improved free layer biasing reliability and bias field strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Kochan Ju, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu
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Patent number: 8749926Abstract: A magnetic scissor type magnetic read head having magnetic side shielding for reduced effective track width and having side biasing for improved stability. The read head includes first and magnetic side shields that each include first and second magnetic layers and an anti-parallel exchange coupling layer sandwiched there-between. The magnetic layers of the side shields are anti-parallel coupled with one another such that one of the magnetic layers has its magnetization oriented in a first direction parallel with the air bearing surface and the second magnetic layer has its magnetization oriented in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction and also parallel with the air bearing surface. These magnetizations of the first and second magnetic layers provide a bias field that stabilizes the magnetization of the free magnetic layers of the sensor stack to prevent flipping of the magnetizations of these layers.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Stefan Maat, Xiaozhong Dang, David J. Seagle, Petrus A. Van Der Heijden
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Publication number: 20140153138Abstract: A magnetic scissor type magnetic read head having magnetic side shielding for reduced effective track width and having side biasing for improved stability. The read head includes first and magnetic side shields that each include first and second magnetic layers and an anti-parallel exchange coupling layer sandwiched there-between. The magnetic layers of the side shields are anti-parallel coupled with one another such that one of the magnetic layers has its magnetization oriented in a first direction parallel with the air bearing surface and the second magnetic layer has its magnetization oriented in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction and also parallel with the air bearing surface. These magnetizations of the first and second magnetic layers provide a bias field that stabilizes the magnetization of the free magnetic layers of the sensor stack to prevent flipping of the magnetizations of these layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Stefan Maat, Xiaozhong Dang, David J. Seagle, Petrus A. Van Der Heijden
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Patent number: 8615868Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Yongchul Ahn, Xiaozhong Dang, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao
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Publication number: 20130163121Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having a hard bias structure that extends beyond the back edge of the sensor stack by a controlled, distance that is chosen to maximize both hard bias field and hard bias magnetic coercivity and anisotropy. The hard bias structure has a back edge that is well defined and that has a square corner at its innermost end adjacent to the sensor stack. The magnetic sensor can be constructed by a process that includes a separate making an milling process that is dedicated to defining the back edge of the hard bias structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, David J. Seagle, Guangli Liu, Yongchul Ahn, Simon H. Liao
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Publication number: 20130135772Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Yongchul Ahn, Xiaozhong Dang, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao
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Publication number: 20130083432Abstract: A magnetic read head having a hard bias structure that both optimizes magnetic bias field and also ensures manufacturability while maintaining sensor stripe height integrity. The read head includes a sensor stack having a back edge and first and second laterally opposed sides. A hard bias structure extending from each of the first and second sides of the sensor stack has a neck portion located near the sensor and having a back edge that is aligned with and parallel to the back edge of the sensor stack. The hard bias structure also includes a flared portion having a back edge that defines an angle relative to the air bearing surface of the read head. The back edge preferably defines and angle of 45-75 degrees relative to the air bearing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Shuxia Wang, Guangli Liu, Yongchul Ahn
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Publication number: 20130082696Abstract: A scissor style magnetic sensor having a novel hard bias structure for improved magnetic biasing robustness. The sensor includes a sensor stack that includes first and second magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer such as an electrically insulating barrier layer or an electrically conductive spacer layer. The first and second magnetic layers have magnetizations that are antiparallel coupled, but that are canted in a direction that is neither parallel with nor perpendicular to the air bearing surface by a magnetic bias stricture. The magnetic bias structure includes a neck portion extending from the back edge of the sensor stack and having first and second sides that are aligned with first and second sides of the sensor stack. The bias structure also includes a tapered or wedged portion extending backward from the neck portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Simon H. Liao, Shuxia Wang, Guangli Liu, Yongchul Ahn
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Publication number: 20120231296Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that minimizes topography resulting from stripe height defining masking and patterning in order to facilitate definition of track width. The method includes depositing a series of mask layers and then masking and ion milling the series of sensor layers to define a back edge of a sensor. A non-magnetic fill layer is then deposited, the magnetic fill layer being constructed of a material that has an ion mill rate that is similar to that of the series of sensor layers. A second masking and milling process is then performed to define the track width of the sensor and hard bias is deposited. Because the non-magnetic fill layer is removed at substantially the same rate as the sensor material the structure has a very flat topography on which to form the sensor track width.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Quang Le, Jui-Lung Li, Yongchul Ahn, Simon H. Liao, Guangli Liu, Masaya Nishioka