Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly includes first and second shields each comprised of a magnetic material. The first and second shields define a physical shield-to-shield spacing. A sensor stack is disposed between the first and second shields and includes a seed layer adjacent the first shield, a cap layer adjacent the second shield, and a magnetic sensor between the seed layer and the cap layer. At least a portion of the seed layer and/or the cap layer comprises a magnetic material to provide an effective shield-to-shield spacing of the magnetic sensor assembly that is less than the physical shield-to-shield spacing.

Abstract: A differentiated sensor includes a pair of magnetic layers having magnetization directions that are substantially antiparallel in a quiescent state. At least one of the magnetic layers is a free layer. A spacer layer is disposed between the pair of magnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetic tunneling junction device has a fixed ferromagnetic layer, a free ferromagnetic layer, and an insulating tunnel barrier layer made of gallium oxide. The insulating tunneling barrier layer is deposited by RF sputtering of gallium oxide. The magnetic tunneling junction device has a resistance area product less than 7 ?·?m2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic writer. The magnetic writer comprises a write circuit, a write pole, a first write coil for inducing a first magnetic field in the write pole by a first current provided by the write circuit, and a second write coil for inducing a second magnetic field in the write pole by a second current provided by the write circuit. The write circuit provides a first current through the first coil and a second current through the second coil. The write circuit controls the direction of the first current and the second current so that, during writing, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface that are in the same direction. When not writing, the first magnetic field and second magnetic field have components perpendicular to the air bearing surface in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a memory cell including a first reference layer having a first magnetization with a first magnetization direction and a second reference layer having a second magnetization with a second magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the first magnetization direction. A storage layer is disposed between the first reference layer and second reference layer and has a third magnetization direction about 45° from the first magnetization direction and about 135° from the second magnetization direction when the memory cell is in a first data state, and a fourth magnetization direction opposite the third magnetization direction when the memory cell is in a second data state.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetic device for writing to and reading from a magnetic medium and a sensor disposed adjacent to the magnetic device and proximate to the magnetic medium. The sensor generates signals related to thermal variations in the sensor caused by changes in a distance between the magnetic device and the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A shock sensor comprises a substrate and at least one flexure coupled to the substrate and configured to deflect upon an application of force to the shock sensor sufficient to deflect the flexure. Deflection of the at least one flexure produces a detectable change in an electrical property of the shock sensor. Examples of detectable changes in an electrical property of the shock sensor include an open circuit condition, a closed circuit condition, and a variation in voltage of a piezo-electric detector. In some embodiments, the change in the electrical property of the shock sensor may be remotely read by interrogation of a radio frequency identification transponder positioned on the substrate using a remote radio frequency identification transceiver. The disclosure also relates to a shock sensing system and method of shock detection.

Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: A spin oscillator device generates a microwave output in response to an applied DC current. The device includes a spin momentum transfer (SMT) stack including a top electrode, a free layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic structure, and a bottom electrode. A local magnetic field source adjacent the SMT stack applies a local magnetic field to the free layer to cause the magnetization direction of the free layer to be oriented at a tilt angle with respect to plane of the free layer. The local magnetic field source can include coils or an electromagnet structure, or permanent magnets in close proximity to the SMT stack.

Abstract: A magnetic writer includes a write element and an oscillation device disposed adjacent to the write element. The first oscillation device includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer having a magnetization vector including a component perpendicular to a major plane of the first magnetic layer. The first nonmagnetic layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first oscillation device generates a high-frequency oscillation field when a current is directed perpendicular to the major plane of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element has a first edge closest to the main pole and a second edge furthest from the main pole. Permeability of the magnetic element increases from the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for recording data having reduced erasure caused by a magnetic field is disclosed. The magnetic write head include a main pole and a conductive coil positioned adjacent the main pole. The conductive coil is insulated from the main pole. The magnetic write head includes means for directing a magnetic field produced by the conductive coil toward the main pole.

Abstract: A magnetic device having a magnetic feature, the magnetic feature including a magnetic portion comprising a magnetic material, a region of non-magnetic material adjacent to the magnetic portion, and a stop layer disposed above the region of non-magnetic material, defining a planar upper boundary of the magnetic portion.

Abstract: A biasing system for a tri-layer reader stack magnetoresistive sensor is disclosed. The tri-layer reader stack includes a first ferromagnetic free layer, a second ferromagnetic free layer, and a magnetoresistive layer between the first and second ferromagnetic free layers. The free layers are positioned in the tri-layer reader stack such that quiescent state magnetizations of the free layers are antiparallel. A biasing layer is positioned with regard to the tri-layer reader stack, typically separated from the tri-layer reader stack by a nonmagnetic spacer layer. A biasing means is positioned such that a magnetization of the biasing layer is perpendicular to the quiescent state magnetizations of the free layers. This biasing results in the free layers having biased magnetizations directed substantially orthogonal with respect to each other.

Abstract: A transducing head includes a multilayered magnetoresistive sensor having an air bearing sidewall opposite aback sidewall and a first sidewall opposite a second sidewall. A specular layer is positioned on at least one of the air bearing sidewall, the back sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall. Each sidewall is transverse to the layers of the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: The sensor of the present invention is a tunneling magnetoresistive read sensor that includes first and second electrodes, and a stack positioned between the electrodes. The stack includes at least one sense layer and a tunnel barrier. A shunt member is operatively coupled to the electrodes in parallel with the stack. The shunt member diverts current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode when the sensor is operational so that current simultaneously flows through the stack and the shunt member to reduce the effective resistance of the sensor.

Abstract: A transducing head has a main pole and at least one magnetic element (such as a return pole or a shield) which provides a potential return path for a magnetic field produced by the main pole. The magnetic element is spaced from the main pole. The magnetic element is formed at least in part of a magnetic material having a material property that reduces side writing at the magnetic element.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive spin valve for use in a magnetic read head includes a ferromagnetic free layer and a multilayer cap layer. The free layer has a rotatable magnetic moment. The multilayer cap layer is positioned adjacent to the free layer for increasing electron specular scattering of the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprising a substrate, a non-magnetic seed layer deposited on the substrate, a bottom magnetic core piece positioned over and contacting the non-magnetic seed layer, a magnetic seed layer, and a top magnetic core piece positioned over and contacting the magnetic seed layer.