Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Nolan
Thomas P. Nolan 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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Patent number: 11043365Abstract: An apparatus includes a target, wherein the target includes a nonuniform erosion profile. The apparatus also includes a number of interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts. The interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts are configured to control a pass through flux based on the nonuniform erosion profile.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Toon Hai Foo, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 10793944Abstract: Apparatus for recording data and method for making the same. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic layer is supported by a substrate and comprises a magnetic magnetic material, a non-magnetic material, and an energy assisted segregation material. The segregation material enhances segregation of the non-magnetic material into grain boundaries within the layer at an elevated, moderate energy level.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Chun Wang, Connie Liu, Thomas P. Nolan, Kueir-Weei Chour
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Publication number: 20200234934Abstract: An apparatus includes a target, wherein the target includes a nonuniform erosion profile. The apparatus also includes a number of interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts. The interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts are configured to control a pass through flux based on the nonuniform erosion profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Toon Hai FOO, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 10636444Abstract: An apparatus includes a first magnetic layer. A second magnetic layer overlies the first magnetic layer and is magnetically softer than the first magnetic layer. An exchange control layer is between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The includes a higher Ms (saturation magnetization) than the first magnetic layer at room temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Thomas Young Chang, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 10573500Abstract: An apparatus includes a target, wherein the target includes a nonuniform erosion profile. The apparatus also includes a number of interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts. The interchangeable magnetic and non-magnetic inserts are configured to control a pass through flux based on the nonuniform erosion profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Toon Hai Foo, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 10460755Abstract: Apparatus for recording data and method for making the same. In accordance with some embodiments, a recording layer is supported by a substrate. The recording layer has a granular magnetic recording layer with a first oxide content, a continuous magnetic recording layer with nominally no oxide content, and an oxide gradient layer disposed between the respective granular magnetic recording layer and the continuous magnetic recording layer. The oxide gradient layer has a second oxide content less than the first oxide content of the granular layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Pengcheng Li, Bin Lu, Thomas P. Nolan, Li-Lien Lee, Jai-Young Kim
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Publication number: 20190180780Abstract: An apparatus includes a first magnetic layer. A second magnetic layer overlies the first magnetic layer and is magnetically softer than the first magnetic layer. An exchange control layer is between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The includes a higher Ms (saturation magnetization) than the first magnetic layer at room temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Thomas Young CHANG, Thomas P. NOLAN
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Patent number: 10311907Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a magnetically soft underlayer (SUL); an interlayer stack overlying the SUL, wherein the interlayer stack comprises a seed layer of an fcc material; and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer overlying the interlayer stack, wherein a thickness of the SUL in combination with a distance of the SUL from the perpendicular recording layer is sufficient to orient a total magnetic field corresponding to a magnetic transducer head at an angle of about 45°.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Thomas P. Nolan, Li Tang, Yong-Chang Feng, Zhong (Stella) Wu, Samuel D. Harkness, Hans J. Richter, Youfeng Zheng
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Patent number: 10026432Abstract: A magnetic stack includes a interlayer structure and a magnetic recording layer disposed over the interlayer in the magnetic stack. The magnetic recording layer includes substantially ordered L10, <001> oriented crystalline magnetic grains laterally separated by a nonmagnetic, segregant material. The interlayer structure comprises a first layer having cubic crystal structure including <100> oriented crystalline grains and a second layer having crystalline grains laterally separated by a segregant material. The crystalline grains of the second layer are arranged in substantially vertically contiguous alignment with the crystalline grains of the first layer and the segregant material of the magnetic recording layer is arranged in substantially vertically contiguous alignment with the segregant material of the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Thomas P. Nolan, Kai Chieh Chang, Yukiko Kubota, Yingguo Peng, Jan-Ulrich Thiele
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Patent number: 9972352Abstract: Methods and media structures are provided for increasing writability and reducing unintentional erasure of perpendicular magnetic recording media. Variable permeability is controlled within a thin soft underlayer (SUL) structure, independent of bulk SUL material properties such as magnetic moment (Bs) and magnetic anisotropy (Hk). Media with an improved combination of easier writability on the recorded track and difficult erasure off-track (between tracks and on neighboring tracks) is achieved, in part, by an unbalanced antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) SUL structure. A permeability gradient is established within the soft underlayer with layers having different values of permeability and magnetic thickness (Bs*t). In an aspect, a first SUL layer includes a high permeability region and an overlying low permeability region. A second layer antiferromagnetically couples the first layer to a low permeability third SUL layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Thomas P. Nolan, Bogdan F. Valcu, Li Tang
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Patent number: 9911446Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording media can consist of a coupling layer disposed between first and second vertically stacked recording layers. The coupling layer can provide exchange or antiferromagnetic coupling and allow the respective recording layers to be individually heat selected to different first and second coupling strengths through application of heat from a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Joachim Ahner, David M. Tung, Ganping Ju, Philip L. Steiner, Thomas P. Nolan, Thomas Y. Chang, Pin-Wei Huang, Kaizhong Gao, Timothy Klemmer, David S. Kuo
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Patent number: 9899050Abstract: One embodiment described herein is directed to a method involving depositing a seed layer on a substrate, the seed layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt of Fe greater than 1:1. A main layer is deposited on the seed layer, the main layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt to Fe of approximately 1:1. A cap layer is deposited on the main layer, the cap layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt to Fe of less than 1:1. The seed, main and cap layers are annealed to convert the A1 phase FePt to L10 phase FePt having a graded FePt structure of varying stoichimetry from approximately Fe50Pt50 adjacent a lower portion of the structure proximate the substrate to Fe>50Pt<50 adjacent an upper portion of the structure opposite the lower portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jiaoming Qiu, Yonghua Chen, Ganping Ju, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 9799362Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording medium can consist of a first recording layer vertically stacked with a second recording layer. The first stacked recording layer may be tuned with at least one discrete track physically separating multiple data tracks in the first recording layer or tuned by being configured as a bit patterned media.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Kim Yang Lee, Thomas P. Nolan, Philip L. Steiner, Thomas Y. Chang, Koichi Wago
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Patent number: 9779770Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic recording media can consist of a single recording layer configured with three or more separate magnetization levels. A first magnetization level can be written to a selected region of said recording layer by applying a first write field to the grains of said region to form a “spin-up” magnetization in the grains of said region. A second magnetization level can be written by applying a second opposite write field to selected grains of said region to form a “spin-down” magnetization. At least a third intermediate magnetization level can be written by applying a weaker or alternating write field to grains of said region to form an intermediate magnetization comprising a mixture of spin-up and spin-down grains. By such method, said region may comprise a data bit capable of storing 3 or more units of information corresponding to the number of separate magnetization levels employed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Thomas P. Nolan, Bruce Buch, Philip L. Steiner
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Patent number: 9779771Abstract: A stack includes a substrate, a magnetic recording layer comprising FePtX disposed over the substrate, and a capping layer disposed on the magnetic recording layer. The capping layer comprises Co; at least one rare earth element; one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Fe and Pt; and an amorphizing agent comprising one to three elements selected from a group consisting of B, Zr, Ta, Cr, Nb, W, V, and Mo.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Kangkang Wang, Yingguo Peng, Ganping Ju, Xiaobin Zhu, Li Gao, Yinfeng Ding, Kai Chieh Chang, Timothy J. Klemmer, Yukiko Kubota, Jan-Ulrich Thiele, Thomas P. Nolan
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Patent number: 9734857Abstract: A stack including a crystallographic orientation interlayer, a magnetic zero layer disposed on the interlayer, and a magnetic recording layer disposed on the magnetic zero layer is disclosed. The magnetic zero layer is non-magnetic or has a saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) less than about 100 emu/cc. The magnetic zero layer and the magnetic layer include grains surrounded by a non-magnetic segregant. The magnetic zero layer provides a coherent interface between the interlayer and the magnetic layer with a lattice mismatch less than about 4%.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Jai-Young Kim, Thomas P. Nolan, Kyongha Kang, Shoutao Wang, Vincent D. Nguyen, Abebe Hailu, Charles C. Chen
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Patent number: 9697857Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording media can consist of a coupling layer disposed between first and second vertically stacked recording layers. The coupling layer can provide exchange or antiferromagnetic coupling and allow the respective recording layers to be individually heat selected to different first and second coupling strengths through application of heat from a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Joachim Ahner, David M. Tung, Ganping Ju, Philip L. Steiner, Thomas P. Nolan, Thomas Y. Chang, Pin-Wei Huang, Kaizhong Gao, Timothy Klemmer, David S. Kuo
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Patent number: 9666221Abstract: An apparatus may include a first magnetic layer, a first exchange break layer formed on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer formed on the first exchange break layer, a second exchange break layer formed on the second magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer formed on the second exchange break layer. The first magnetic layer has a first magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk1, the second magnetic layer has a second magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk2, and the third magnetic layer has a third magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk3. In some embodiments, Hk1?Hk2 is less than Hk2?Hk3. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be a perpendicular magnetic recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Thomas P. Nolan, Hans Richter
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Patent number: 9653105Abstract: A method of forming a uniform thickness layer of a selected material on a surface of a substrate comprises steps of: (a) providing a multi-stage cathode sputtering apparatus comprising a group of spaced-apart cathode/target assemblies and a means for transporting at least one substrate/workpiece past each cathode/target assembly, each cathode/target assembly comprising a sputtering surface oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate during transport past the group of cathode/target assemblies, the group of cathode/target assemblies adapted for providing different angular sputtered film thickness profiles; and (b) transporting the substrate past each cathode/target assembly while providing different sputtered film thickness profiles from at least some of the cathode/target assemblies, such that a plurality of sub-layers is deposited on the surface of the substrate/workpiece which collectively form a uniform thickness layer of the selected material.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Rajiv Y Ranjan, Jeffrey S Reiter, Thomas P Nolan
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Publication number: 20170092317Abstract: One embodiment described herein is directed to a method involving depositing a seed layer on a substrate, the seed layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt of Fe greater than 1:1. A main layer is deposited on the seed layer, the main layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt to Fe of approximately 1:1. A cap layer is deposited on the main layer, the cap layer comprising A1 phase FePt with a ratio of Pt to Fe of less than 1:1. The seed, main and cap layers are annealed to convert the A1 phase FePt to L10 phase FePt having a graded FePt structure of varying stoichimetry from approximately Fe50Pt50 adjacent a lower portion of the structure proximate the substrate to Fe>50Pt<50 adjacent an upper portion of the structure opposite the lower portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Jiaoming Qui, Yonghua Chen, Ganping Ju, Thomas P. Nolan