Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer, wherein the magnetic stabilizer may enhance the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer, wherein the magnetic stabilizer may enhance the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer, wherein the magnetic stabilizer may enhance the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer, wherein the magnetic stabilizer may enhance the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive stack includes a free layer, a separating layer, a pinned layer, and a magnetic stabilizer in close proximity to the pinned layer such that such that the magnetic stabilizer enhances the stability of the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a first communication module including a transmitter configured to generate a modulated magnetic field and a second communication module including a receiver. The receiver of the second communication module includes a solid magnetic field sensor configured to sense the magnetic field. Information is transferred from the first communication module to the second communication module via the magnetic field.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for integrated interconnects with a set of disc drives. The interconnects allow for a set of disc drives to be positioned in an array; for example, as set of disc drives may be stacked to communicate with a device through a single interface of the device. The interconnects may be formed as vias within the housing of the disc drives. Vias may produced using MEMS techniques, e.g., electroplating, as part of the manufacturing processes of the disc drive itself.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) disc drive includes high-precision and integrated components to allow for increased functionality, robustness and reduced size as compared to currently produced disc drives. Integrating multiple subcomponents of the disc drive using batch processing provides low manufacturing costs. Furthermore, using MEMS techniques, new features can be added to disc drives. For example, an environmental control component, an accelerometer and/or a thermometer may be integrated into the housing of the disc drive.

Abstract: A recording head for use with a storage medium is provided. The recording head includes a substrate, a magnetic pole, a first magnetic bias structure positioned on a first side of the magnetic pole, and a second magnetic bias structure positioned on a second side of the magnetic pole, Spacer material is positioned between the magnetic pole and the first magnetic bias structure and between the magnetic pole and the second magnetic bias structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic MEMS sensors. The sensors include a substrate having a surface, a first magnetic field detector positioned on the surface, a second magnetic field detector positioned on the surface proximate to the first magnetic field detector, and a third magnetic field detector positioned on the surface proximate to the first and second magnetic field detectors. Each of the first, second and third magnetic field detector is capable of detecting external magnetic fields that are mutually orthogonal along three directions. In certain embodiments, the magnetic MEMS sensors may be useful as electronic compasses. The disclosure also relates to fabricating a magnetic MEMS device, such as an electronic compass, from or on a single wafer, which includes multiple MEMS sensors.

Abstract: A data transducer is used for writing data to a disc and has an air bearing surface. The data transducer also includes a bottom pole and a top pole separated from the bottom pole at the air bearing surface by a write gap. A core is formed between the bottom pole and the top pole and a conductive coil is positioned within the core. The data transducer further includes an insulator conformed to turns of the conductive coil and a core fill deposited within the entire core wherein the core fill is a high-thermal conductivity material. The insulator and core fill dissipate thermal energy away from the conductive coil.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head apparatus includes first and second readers. The first reader is a magnetoresistive reader. The second reader provides electrostatic discharge protection for the first magnetoresistive reader. The second reader can be a second magnetoresistive reader having substantially the same film structure as the first reader. The second reader can also include a phase change thin film, which has high and low resistance states that are changeable using a laser.

Abstract: A transducing head according to the present invention includes a pair of electrodes, a pair of biasing elements and a magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetoresistive sensor is positioned between the pair of electrodes. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a pair of flux guides and a free layer positioned substantially co-planar with and between the pair of flux guides. The pair of electrodes are for providing a sense current to the free layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the free layer. The pair of biasing elements are positioned on opposing sides of the magnetoresistive sensor for providing longitudinal bias to the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head apparatus includes first and second readers. The first reader is a magnetoresistive reader. The second reader provides electrostatic discharge protection for the first magnetoresistive reader. The second reader can be a second magnetoresistive reader having substantially the same film structure as the first reader. The second reader can also include a phase change thin film, which has high and low resistance states that are changeable using a laser.

Abstract: A data transducer is used for writing data to a disc and has an air bearing surface. The data transducer also includes a bottom pole and a top pole separated from the bottom pole at the air bearing surface by a write gap. A core is formed between the bottom pole and the top pole and a conductive coil is positioned within the core. The data transducer further includes means for dissipating thennal energy away from the coil.

Abstract: A transducing head according to the present invention includes a pair of electrodes, a pair of biasing elements and a magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetoresistive sensor is positioned between the pair of electrodes. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a pair of flux guides and a free layer positioned substantially co-planar with and between the pair of flux guides. The pair of electrodes are for providing a sense current to the free layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the free layer. The pair of biasing elements are positioned on opposing sides of the magnetoresistive sensor for providing longitudinal bias to the free layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor (100) that combines the advantages of abutted junction structure and regular overlaid structure. The abutted junction design is used with the soft adjacent layer (SAL) (108) and the overlaid structure is used with the MR element (120). The method of making the MR sensor (100) comprises depositing SAL (108) on top of the gap layer (106) and depositing spacer material (110) on top of the SAL (108). A mask (130) is placed over the central region of the spacer material (110) and SAL (108). The spacer material (110) and SAL (108) are removed in the areas not covered by the mask (130). An underlayer material (112) is deposited in the areas where the SAL (108) and spacer material (110) were removed. A hard-biasing material (114) is deposited on top of the underlayer (112).

Abstract: The invention includes methods of manufacturing improved spin valve sensors and the resulting sensors. The method includes the step of depositing a spacer layer in an environment containing oxygen. Preferably, the spacer layer is deposited in an environment containing argon and from about 0.5 to 25,000 ppm oxygen. Spin valve sensors of the invention have a spacer layer containing a non-magnetic electrically conductive material and oxygen. Spin valve sensors of the invention can be dual spin valves, bottom pinned spin valves or top pinned spin valves.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor (100) that combines the advantages of abutted junction structure and regular overlaid structure. The abutted junction design is used with the soft adjacent layer (SAL) (108) and the overlaid structure is used with the MR element (120). The method of making the MR sensor (100) comprises depositing SAL (108) on top of the gap layer (106) and depositing spacer material (110) on top of the SAL (108). A mask (130) is placed over the central region of the spacer material (110) and SAL (108). The spacer material (110) and SAL (108) are removed in the areas not covered by the mask (130). An underlayer material (112) is deposited in the areas where the SAL (108) and spacer material (110) were removed. A hard-biasing material (114) is deposited on top of the underlayer (112).

Abstract: The invention includes spin valve sensors. The spin valve sensors of the invention can be dual spin valves, bottom pinned spin valves, or top pinned spin valves. Spin valve sensor in accordance with the invention include a cap layer of tantalum nitride and a free layer. Cap layers of the invention include both monolayers and bilayers. Monolayer cap layers are tantalum nitride, and bilayer cap layers are a first layer of tantalum nitride with a layer of copper, ruthenium, gold, or silver thereon.