Abstract: According to one embodiment, a soft underlayer structure includes a coupling layer, at least one outer soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer, and at least one inner soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer between the coupling layer and the associated outer soft underlayer, where the inner soft underlayers have a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness that is different than a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness of the outer soft underlayers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a soft underlayer structure includes a coupling layer, at least one outer soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer, and at least one inner soft underlayer positioned above and below the coupling layer between the coupling layer and the associated outer soft underlayer, where the inner soft underlayers have a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness that is different than a saturation magnetic flux density and/or a thickness of the outer soft underlayers.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures are disclosed including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate. In one class of technique, the side edges are deposited together with a top layer in a single plating operation.

Abstract: Magnetic thin film structures are disclosed including a laminate of a layer of nonmagnetic material sandwiched between first and second layers of magnetic material and at least one edge closure layer of magnetic material disposed on a side edge of the laminate with the edge closure layer being in magnetic contact with the first and second layers of magnetic material. The edge closure layer eliminates magnetic edge closure domains and magnetic edge-curling walls in the yoke and poletip regions, or in a fluxguide of a magnetic recording head to substantially eliminate Barkhausen noise and wall network instabilities. Multiple layer laminates are also disclosed having a plurality of nonmagnetic layers each of which are sandwiched between layers of magnetic material and wherein the laminate includes edge closure layers that contact all the magnetic layers. Several methods are disclosed for fabricating the laminate.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a novel tungsten oxide film is presented for incorporation into an electrochromic display device wherein a surface of the film is in contact with an acidic aqueous electrolyte. The film comprises an underlying layer consisting of true amorphous, electrochromic tungsten oxide and an integral surface layer consisting of nonelectrochromic, random network amorphous tungsten oxide that is substantially less soluble in the electrolyte than the underlying electrochromic tungsten oxide. Preferably, the surface layer is formed by treating a vapor-deposited tungsten oxide film by exposure to a low energy plasma to restructure the molecular bonding at the surface without affecting the underlying tungsten oxide.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an improved electrochromic display device is disclosed wherein an acid-resistant, proton-conductive, nonporous polymer layer separates the electrochromic transition metal oxide film and the aqueous acidic electrolyte. The polymer layer preferably comprises an ultraviolet light-cured, plasticized poly (vinyl alcohol) that is thermally treated to render it acid insoluble. The polymer layer conducts protons between the electrolyte and the electrochromic layer to permit the desired electrochromic reactions to occur, but reduces film dissolution into the electrolyte to substantially extend the useful lifetime of the device.