Abstract: This invention provides a process or fabrication method of forming broadband anti-reflective (AR) coating over the mid-IR fluoride fiber for high power laser applications in mid-IR wavelength range. The AR coating consists of multiple-pair Lithium fluoride (LiF) and Al2O3, and was deposited by electron beam physical vapor deposition with an iron assistant source at low temperature (<60° C.). A thin encapsulation layer of Al2O3 was applied over the AR coating by atomic layer deposition technology. The measurements show the coating has a reflectivity of <1-1.5% in the range of 1.5-5.5 ?m. The laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) test shows the damage threshold is greater than 8.9 MW/cm2 with no sign of any damage on the coating exposed to atmosphere. The durability and environmental tests of the AR coating with PVD coated encapsulation layer show good humidity resistance in open air and no degradation of film quality and optical performance are observed.

Abstract: A data storage drive includes a rotatable data storage medium, and a head communicatively couplable to the data storage medium. The head includes a temperature sensor and a heater. The data storage drive also includes a ramp for supporting the head when the head is moved away from the data storage medium, and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain first temperature sensor measurement values for different head heater power settings when the head is positioned on the ramp, and is configured to determine an internal pressure of the data storage drive as a function of the first temperature sensor measurement values.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base deck and a load/unload ramp component. The base deck includes a floor and sidewalls. The load/unload ramp component is coupled to the floor of the base deck. At least one of the sidewalls includes an arcuate extension portion that extends to contact the load/unload ramp component.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base deck and a load/unload ramp component. The base deck includes a floor and sidewalls. The load/unload ramp component is coupled to the floor of the base deck. At least one of the sidewalls includes an arcuate extension portion that extends to contact the load/unload ramp component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc driver apparatus including a base, a disc drive actuator assembly, and a vapor-trapping pathway. The base, in certain embodiments, has an upwardly-facing portion with a first step and an adjacent second step that is vertically lower than the first step. The disc drive actuator assembly in some embodiments includes a pivot shaft, an E-block, and a plurality of bearings. The pivot shaft is fixed relative to the base, and the E-block has a portion facing the upwardly-facing portion of the base. The plurality of bearings designed to facilitate rotation of the E-block around the pivot shaft. The vapor-trapping pathway includes the first step and a trap region that is partly defined by the second step, the vapor-trapping pathway being designed to pass vapor flow outwardly, relative to the pivot shaft, from a level below the bearings to the trap region.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc driver apparatus including a base, a disc drive actuator assembly, and a vapor-trapping pathway. The base, in certain embodiments, has an upwardly-facing portion with a first step and an adjacent second step that is vertically lower than the first step. The disc drive actuator assembly in some embodiments includes a pivot shaft, an E-block, and a plurality of bearings. The pivot shaft is fixed relative to the base, and the E-block has a portion facing the upwardly-facing portion of the base. The plurality of bearings are designed to facilitate rotation of the E-block around the pivot shaft. The vapor-trapping pathway includes the first step and a trap region that is partly defined by the second step, the vapor-trapping pathway being designed to pass vapor flow outwardly, relative to the pivot shaft, from a level below the bearings to the trap region.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: Bases for data storage systems are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bases are used in hard disc drives. Some embodiments include particle diverters. Certain embodiments of the particle diverters include a particle diverter opening adjacent to an actuator region of a hard disc drive.

Abstract: An enclosure system includes an enclosure and at least one rotating storage medium positioned within the enclosure. The enclosure has a corresponding airflow contaminated with particles. An impact absorbing material is deposited on at least one component in the enclosure and positioned within and traversely to the airflow. The impact absorbing material is configured to reduce rebound velocity of the particles off of the at least one component in the enclosure.

Abstract: Devices are provided herein in a variety of examples that inhibit particle pickup and transport and mechanical vibrations and provide other advantages. In one illustrative example, an actuator assembly includes a base, an actuator disposed on the base, and a shroud disposed on the base around the actuator. The shroud includes one or more shroud walls disposed between the actuator and a flow channel exterior to the shroud. The shroud walls may include shielding walls that partially surround the actuator, radially curved shroud wall segments, fastener well shields that substantially separate an interior thereof from the actuator, and other aspects. A data storage device may have a flow path defined therein, and the shroud may be disposed around an actuator within the data storage device, providing a streamlined surface between the flow path and the actuator.

Abstract: A rotary microactuator-based head-gimbal assembly design controls the unwanted deflection of a flexure in a data storage device and eliminates hinge deformation. The head-gimbal assembly maintains the co-planarity of the hinged islands in the microactuator under the applied load acting on the flexure and two associated hinged islands. The dimple post is placed at the dimple loading region of the flexure tongue and has the same height as adhesive dams on paddles secured to the hinged islands. The dimple post is formed by branching one of the existing conductive traces covered by a photoresist layer to the dimple loading region on flexure tongue. In an alternative embodiment, the dimple post is secured to the dimple loading region of the flexure tongue by means of adhesives with a variety of viscosity and elastic moduli.