Abstract: Systems for interconnecting magnetic heads of storage devices in a test assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a probe assembly for coupling a read head to a cavity gimbal assembly, the probe assembly including a plurality of conductive probes each including a body section including two substantially flat side surfaces and a bottom surface including a pad configured to be soldered to a corresponding pad of a laminated flexure of the cavity gimbal assembly, a spring section including an elongated arm extending away from the body section, the elongated arm shaped to make conductive contact with a pad on a trailing face of the read head, and a non-conductive adhesive layer attached to at least one of the two side surfaces, where each of the plurality of the conductive probes is attached to an adjacent one of the conductive probes by one of the adhesive layers.

Abstract: A probe system that has a probe body comprising at least three arms extending from a central region and a probe tip centrally located on the probe body in the central region. A substrate is proximate the probe body opposite the probe tip. A first electrode is positioned to provide a centrally positioned voltage across the probe body and the substrate and a second electrode set is positioned radially outward from the first electrode, to provide an outer voltage across at least one of the at least three arms and the substrate. The probe structure may have, for example, four arms. Methods of actuating the probe tip are provided.

Abstract: A device comprises a recordable disc, a substrate adjacent to the recordable disc, and an actuation mechanism fixed to the substrate. The recordable disc includes a base layer and a recordable layer on the base layer. Additional electrodes or magnetic components may be placed on the base layer to provide electromagnetic or electrostatic forces to rotate the recordable disc when acted on by the actuation mechanism. As an example, the invention may utilize MEMS techniques in order to integrate a disc and motor of a disc drive as a common component.

Abstract: A device comprises a fluid bearing including a textured fluid bearing surface and a second surface and a recordable disc. The recordable disc includes a substrate, a recordable media layer on the substrate, and at least one of the textured fluid bearing surface and the second surface. The device may be manufactured using MEMS techniques. MEMS techniques provide the high precision necessary to create the textured fluid bearing surface. MEMS techniques also allow the recordable disc to be batch-fabricated with one or more additional recordable discs.

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: 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 probe system that has a probe body comprising at least three arms extending from a central region and a probe tip centrally located on the probe body in the central region. A substrate is proximate the probe body opposite the probe tip. A first electrode is positioned to provide a centrally positioned voltage across the probe body and the substrate and a second electrode set is positioned radially outward from the first electrode, to provide an outer voltage across at least one of the at least three arms and the substrate. The probe structure may have, for example, four arms. Methods of actuating the probe tip are provided.

Abstract: The application discloses processes for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device. The processes disclosed provide a transducer portion that is separated from a slider body by a gap. In an illustrated embodiment, actuator elements are fabricated in the gap to adjust a position of the transducer portion relative to the slider body.

Abstract: A high precision force and displacement measuring device adapted to operate in at least two directions, including signal multiplexing scheme providing multiple signal channels to be transmitted through a single pick-up plate and sense amplifier, while maintaining high isolation between the channels, as well as identical electrical response characteristics of all channels. The device may be used in conjunction with a movable stage (such as on an optical microscope) to perform mechanical measurements on Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices.

Abstract: A suspension comprises a load beam having a leading portion and a trailing portion, a gimbal sheet mounted to the leading portion and forming a first pad, a second pad, and a displacement lever assembly including at least a first lever arm having a first end adjacent and connected to the first pad and a second end opposite the first end and connected to the second pad. The displacement lever assembly is configured to translate a linear displacement of the first pad to a differing displacement of the second pad. The suspension comprises a piezoelectric element attached to the first pad and extending across the second pad.

Abstract: Drive circuitry for capacitive displacement transducers includes an oscillator, a precision low noise voltage reference with added noise reduction circuitry, a synchronous demodulator consisting of a single pole double throw analog switch, one or more transducer electrode drive signals generated by one or more additional analog switches, and feedback circuitry to modify the amplitude of the electrode drive signal based on the circuit output signal, to improve the accuracy of the output signal.

Abstract: A high precision force and displacement measuring device adapted to operate in at least two directions, including signal multiplexing scheme providing multiple signal channels to be transmitted through a single pick-up plate and sense amplifier, while maintaining high isolation between the channels, as well as identical electrical response characteristics of all channels. The device may be used in conjunction with a movable stage (such as on an optical microscope) to perform mechanical measurements on Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices.

Abstract: A slider includes a transducer-level microactuator for selectively positioning a transducer portion of the slider radially with respect to circumferential data tracks of a rotatable disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a transducer body and a flexure body. The transducer body is spaced from the trailing edge of the sliding body and includes at least one transducer element. The flexure body extends from the trailing edge of the slider body and includes a first anchor point connected to the slider body and a second anchor point connected to the transducer body. The basecoat layer is deposited on the trailing edge of the slider body and substantially surrounds the flexure body wherein a gap separates the flexure body from the basecoat. A first actuation means is formed on the basecoat and a second actuation means is formed on the transducer body adjacent the slider body.

Abstract: The present invention includes gimbal having an attachment portion and a head support structure spaced apart from the attachment portion. A first strut connects the attachment portion and the head support structure. The first strut has an increased center portion and two end portions on opposite sides of the center portion. The increased center portion has a greater thickness than the two end portions. The gimbal also includes a second strut spaced apart from the first strut and is connected to the attachment portion and the head support structure. The second strut has an increased center portion and two end portions on opposite sides of the increased center portion. The increased center portion of the second strut has a greater thickness than the two end portions.

Abstract: A high precision force and displacement measuring device adapted to operate in at least two directions, including signal multiplexing scheme providing multiple signal channels to be transmitted through a single pickup electrode and sense amplifier, while maintaining high isolation between the channels, as well as identical electrical response characteristics of all channels. The device may be used in conjunction with a movable stage (such as on an optical microscope) to perform mechanical measurements on Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices.

Abstract: A monocoque head suspension carries a read-write head on a distal end and is attachable at a proximal end to an actuator assembly. The monocoque head suspension includes a bottom skin and a top skin, and also a core positioned between the bottom and top skins. The core has voids therein that form hollow regions between the bottom and top skins. The core may be made of low-density material, such as photo-imageable epoxy, polyamide or polyimide, deposited on the bottom skin, or may be a separately formed piece. The bottom skin and top skin may be made of a stainless steel material. The monocoque head suspension may be a component of an assembly to store data to a magnetic medium and read data from the medium.

Abstract: A monocoque head suspension carries a read-write head on a distal end and is attachable at a proximal end to an actuator assembly. The monocoque head suspension includes a bottom skin and a top skin, and also a core positioned between the bottom and top skins. The core has voids therein that form hollow regions between the bottom and top skins. The core may be made of low-density material, such as photo-imageable epoxy or polyimide, deposited on the bottom skin, or may be a separately formed piece. The bottom skin and top skin may be made of a stainless steel material. The monocoque head suspension may be a component of an assembly to store data to a magnetic medium and read data from the medium.