Abstract: An objective lens unit used for an optical pickup device is made up of a plurality of lenses and has a numerical aperture (NA) not less than 0.7. The lenses (1) and (2) are secured within a cylindrically-shaped lens holder (3). The position of the lens(es) (2) other than one of the lenses secured within the lens holder is set with the position of the one lens (1) as reference.

Abstract: A magnetically positioned precision holder for optical components in an optical device comprises a carrier for replaceably holding at least one optical component. The carrier is arranged in positionally adjustable fashion in a housing recess including a precision stop surface. Magnet pairs (A1/A2 and B1/B2) are oriented with identical polarity being provided in order to achieve a continuous contact pressure of the carrier (2; 3) against the stop surface (6), in such a way that the one magnet (A1, B1) is located in the recess and the corresponding magnet (A2, B2) is located in the carrier. The use of identically poled magnet pairs for movable precision holders and for precision positioning systems is also proposed.

Abstract: A highly versatile optical mount fabricated from a single solid structural body provides accurately centered secured fixturing of a large array of optical components or objects. Fixturing is provided by a unique screw-tensioned strapping mechanism.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for the depth-resolved optical detection of a specimen with an illumination light distribution of at least one wavelength generated on or in a specimen and detection particularly of the light that is influenced due to interaction with the specimen, particularly fluorescent light and/or reflected light and/or luminescent light and/or scattered and/or transmitted light, wherein the illumination light has a modulation in at least one spatial direction and the detection light which is modulated like the illumination light is spatially split into two components having a phase shift relative to one another, the components are measured separately and an optical section image of the specimen and/or of part of the specimen is calculated from them.

Abstract: A programmable waveform ballast has a power supply and a waveform generator. The power supply provides, from a power source, a variable power to a discharge lamp. The waveform generator is coupled to the power supply and is programmable to produce a plurality of waveforms. The waveform generator controls the power supply to apply the variable power to the discharge lamp in accordance with a programmed waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic transfer apparatus capable of performing good magnetic transfer, including a holder for accommodating a master carrier with transfer patterns corresponding to transfer information, a slave-feeding unit for feeding a slave medium with a magnetic recording part to be transferred to the master carrier, and a magnetic field application unit for applying a magnetic field in a state that the slave medium is in close contact with the master carrier, wherein the holder is provided with a slave holding shaft for positioning a central opening of the slave medium at a central portion thereof, and an inner diameter of the central opening of the slave medium is set to be smaller than that of a central opening the master carrier, and the slave-feeding unit holds an inner diameter portion of the slave medium.

Abstract: A master disk has an aspect ratio of a width of a groove to a depth thereof to facilitate embedding of a soft magnetic film in the groove for stabilizing magnetic printability. The master disk has at least two differently shaped grooves, in each of which the width of the groove is equal to the width in the sector direction of a servo pattern and the depth is varied. A servo pattern has a width equal to a width of the groove in the sector direction, with the depth of the groove being proportional to the servo pattern width. At least two depths of grooves are provided for embedding magnetic materials on a substrate of the master disk. The depth of the groove for embedding the soft magnetic film is made shallow in a region where the pattern width of the servo pattern is narrow and made deep in a region where the pattern width is wide.

Abstract: A method of determining side track erasure in a disk drive having a disk and a transducer. A target track and one or more side tracks proximate to the target track on the disk are selected, and recording parameters for recording signals on the target track and each side track with the transducer are selected. Thereafter, signals are recorded on each side track and then signals are recorded on the target track multiple times. A reduction in the integrity of the recorded signals on each side track due to recording signals on the target track multiple times is detected, and the detected reduction in the integrity of the recorded signals on each side track represents the amount of the erasure of the recorded signals on the side track. Recording parameters are changed based on the signal integrity reduction to minimize side track erasure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amplifier intended to deliver to a load impedance RL connected between two output terminals of the amplifier an output current Iout which is representative of an input signal (Vin, ?Vin) applied to two input terminals of the amplifier, which amplifier includes a first and a second transistor T1 and T2 connected as a differential pair around the load impedance RL. The amplifier according to the invention further includes a third and a fourth transistor T3 and T4 which form a differential pair; degenerated by means of a degenerating impedance Req which has a nominal value equal to that of the load impedance RL of the amplifier, which differential pair (T3, T4) is intended to be controlled by means of a control signal (?Vin/2, Vin/2), in anti-phase with the input signal (Vin, ?Vin). The invention permits to double the output current Iout of the amplifier without, however, increasing its power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention provides servo band recorded magnetic tapes, manufacturing method of the tapes, servo band writers and servo band Writing method. The background magnetic flux transition zone is generated with one directional polarization of the magnetization along the servo bands on the magnetic recording tapes. The servo stripes are generated with the reverse polarity of magnetization in the background magnetic flux transition zone. Then the magnetic flux servo transition against the background has more contrast so that the detected servo signal which is differential signal can be maintained in a high level.

Abstract: Detecting flaws in a disk drive includes sampling a read signal provided by reading a data pattern from a disk to obtain samples, obtaining significant samples from the samples, deriving a value from the significant samples, and reporting a flaw if a comparison between the derived value and a threshold value is unacceptable.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a read channel of a disk drive by storing a pseudorandom number (PN) sequence at a first location on a recording surface of the disk drive, and storing the PN sequence at a second location on the recording surface. The PN sequence at the first location is read to generate a first playback signal, and a first dibit response is determined from the first playback signal. The PN sequence at the second location is read to generate a second playback signal, and a second dibit response is determined from the first playback signal. The first and second dibit responses are arithmetically combined to generate a combined dibit response in which at least some non-linear echoes are isolated.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and system are disclosed for inhibiting erroneous control signals due to disruptive electromagnetic signals. In one embodiment, the invention prevents erroneous information writing in a recording device under the effect of background electromagnetic waves. A conductor pattern is formed on a printed wiring board on which wiring constituting a control circuit of a hard disk drive is formed. Background electromagnetic waves are detected by an electromagnetic wave detection circuit. In the case where an electromagnetic wave signal detected by the electromagnetic wave detection circuit exceeds a predetermined power, voltage, or current threshold, a write gate signal is turned off to inhibit a potential write operation.

Abstract: A hard disk system for storing user data for an information device. The hard disk system includes a non-volatile, IC based memory such as e.g., a memory utilizing MRAM, to non volatilely store system data for the hard disk. Examples of system data include a master list, a list of unused sectors, and a list of defective sectors. In some examples, the master list includes the physical location on a hard disk where data of a file is stored. The non-volatile memory is operably coupled to a data storage system processor and may be implemented on a circuit board with the data storage system processor.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes an adjustable output (linear or switching) voltage regulator including an output terminal that provides an output voltage. A plurality of loads each include a voltage supply terminal that receives the output voltage. A controller dynamically adjusts the output voltage based, e.g., based on which of the loads are active.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques to substantially reduce or eliminate detachment of data storage tape from data storage cartridges. A data storage cartridge may include a housing enclosing a spool with data storage tape spooled on the spool. A region of the data storage tape extends from the spool to an opening in the housing. An end of the data storage tape is held at the opening to allow tape drives to grasp the data storage tape and retrieve data stored on the data storage tape. When dropped, the data storage cartridge experiences impact loads. The techniques described herein rotate the spool to generate slack such that the region of data storage tape comprises substantially no tension. In this way, the techniques prevent detachment of the data storage tape from the opening due to the impact loads.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing method of a magnetic tape in a tracking servo system, a recording density of each data track is increased while inhibiting occurrence of a recording/reproducing error caused by a size change of a magnetic tape in the width direction. Data tracks are each set to have a smaller track width stepwise as closer to servo tracks (41T-1 to 41T-5 etc.) in the width direction of a magnetic tape 1. With such a setting, the width of the data tracks (A1-41T-1 to A1-41T-5 etc.) closest to the servo tracks (41T-1 to 41T-5) can be minimized, thereby enabling a significant increase in number of the data tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a cylinder; a first chassis section; a second chassis section; and at least first, second and third tape guide members. The second chassis section is movable between a first position and a second position. When the second chassis section is in the first position, a supply reel, the first tape guide member, the second tape guide member, the third tape guide member and the cylinder are arranged in this order, such that only the first, second and third tape guide members guide the magnetic tape between the supply reel and the cylinder. When the second chassis section is in the first position, the first tape guide member is in contact with a magnetic surface of the magnetic tape, and the second and third tape guide members are in contact with the non-magnetic surface of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a main chassis having a cylinder provided thereon; a sub chassis on which a tape cassette is mountable; a plurality of tape pull-out members acting to pull out a tape from the tape cassette; and at least one arm for driving at least one tape pull-out member. The sub chassis is movable relative to the main chassis between a tape cassette mountable position and a tape pull-out completion positions. The main chassis includes at least one guide member for guiding the at least one tape pull-out member while the sub chassis moves between the above-mentioned two positions. The at least one arm is provided in the sub chassis, and drives the at least one tape pull-out member such that the member pulls out the tape while the sub chassis moves from the tape cassette mountable position to the tape pull-out completion position.

Abstract: A recording thin-film magnetic head includes a gap-depth defining layer, lower magnetic pole layers and gap layers on the front and rear sides of the gap-depth defining layer, and an upper magnetic pole layer. The entire top surface of the gap-depth defining layer is covered with a first seed layer. The rear end surfaces of the lower magnetic pole layer and the gap layer on the front side are in contact with the front end surface of the gap-depth defining layer. The upper magnetic pole layer is formed on the gap layers by plating.

Abstract: An effective heat sink is provided for a magnetic recording head. The heat sink conducts heat away from the recording head thus limiting the range of temperatures to which the recording head is subjected. A heat sink on a recording head significantly reduces heat induced protrusion.

Abstract: A magnetic head for thermally-assisted writing of data to a disk is disclosed. In one illustrative example, the magnetic head includes a write head element and a heating element which is a resistive infared radiator. The heating element is coupled to at least one via pad which is exposed on an outer surface of the magnetic head. This via pad may be the same pad utilized for the write head element or for a read sensor. The heating element is formed beneath or within the pole tip such that it is able to transfer heat to a portion of the disk before the write head element can write data to it Advantageously, the heater facilitates the writing of data to high coercivity media.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for forming a head suspension assembly. A spacer layer is formed in or on a silicon wafer. A transfer film including an opening defining the shape of a slider support membrane is provided, and the opening is filled with a resin material. The transfer film with the resin material therein is positioned over the silicon wafer so that at least a portion of the resin material is positioned adjacent to the spacer layer. The resin material is baked to form a glassy carbon material. The spacer layer is etched to form a trench in the silicon wafer adjacent to the glassy carbon material, and a slider is positioned on the glassy carbon material over the trench.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly includes (a) a slider having a head for recording into/reproducing from a record medium, mounted thereon, (b) a load beam having (i) the slider disposed via a flexure at one end, and (ii) a leaf-spring-like resilient member integrally formed therewith in the vicinity of the other end along the longitudinal centerline thereof, and (c) a carriage having a pair of pivots in contact with the load beam. The distal end of the resilient member is joined to the carriage and the resilient member has an opening (hole) in the center thereof. Because the stress occurring in the leaf-spring-like resilient member that is provided in the load beam of the head suspension assembly is reduced, the resilient member exerts sufficient urging force to the head and has high flexibility. This structure can provide a highly shock-resistant and thin head suspension assembly.

Abstract: To provide a disk apparatus that can enhance reliability of a head wiring and a driving wiring, a disk apparatus includes a head slider, an arm, a driving unit, a wiring body provided for supplying a head mounted on the head slider with a head current used for signal recording or reproduction with respect to a disk-like recording medium and supplying the driving unit with a driving current used to drive the arm to swing, and a lead-out terminal portion. The wiring body includes a flexure sheet provided in the arm so as to support the head slider, a head wiring provided so as to connect the head slider and the lead-out terminal portion by passing over the flexure sheet thereby to supply the head mounted on the head slider with the head current, and a driving wiring provided along the head wiring in an area ranging from a wiring connecting portion formed on a side of the flexure sheet opposite the head slider to the lead-out terminal portion thereby to supply the driving unit with the driving current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flux-guided head for use in a magnetic recording system, such as a disk drive. The head includes a write element that is capable of writing magnetic polarity transitions into the surface of a magnetic media, such as a magnetic disk, using vertical/perpendicular recording techniques. Further, a read element is provided that includes a magnetoresistive element that, when reading perpendicularly-recorded magnetic transitions from the surface of the magnetic media, produces a readback pulse signal having a substantially Lorentzian pulse shape.

Abstract: It is known that the magnetic shields, between which CPP GMR stacks are sandwiched, can be a source of AMR (anisotropic magneto-resistance) noise. This has been significantly reduced by coating both the magnetic shields with highly conductive layers. If the guidelines disclosed in the invention are followed, the read head can exhibit AMR noise reduced by about 14 to 20. Additionally, the total thickness of the read gap can be maintained to be as low as 300 to 400 Angstroms.

Abstract: A flux guide protected magnetoresistive sensor in a tape drive read/write head is presented. The magnetoresistive sensor has a tape bearing surface, and includes a magnetoresistive sensing element and a flux guide disposed on a surface of the magnetoresistive sensing element to form a portion of the tape bearing surface.

Abstract: An extraordinary magnetoresistance (EMR) sensor uses a ferromagnetic multilayer to provide perpendicular magnetic biasing for the sensor. The ferromagnetic multilayer has intrinsic perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and is preferably on top of the EMR active film. The multilayer comprises alternating films of Co, Fe or CoFe and Pt, Pd or PtPd with the preferred multilayer being alternating Co/Pt or Co/Pd films. A diffusion barrier may be located between the EMR active film and the ferromagnetic multilayer.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus has a magnetic recording medium including a recording layer formed on a nonmagnetic substrate, and a magnetic head including a magnetoresistive film arranged above the magnetic recording medium and a pair of electrodes formed on both surfaces of the magnetoresistive film along a track direction so as to make a sense current flow in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the magnetoresistive film. The recording layer has an easy axis of magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a track width direction, which is a direction of a magnetic field generated by the flow of the sense current, a ratio MA/Me of which recording layer is smaller than 0.6, where MA is a remanent magnetization in the track width direction and Me is a remanent magnetization in the direction of the easy axis of magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises magnetoresistive elements and permanent magnet films, which are combined together to form GMR elements formed on a quartz substrate having a square shape, wherein the permanent magnet films are paired and connected to both ends of the magnetoresistive elements, so that an X-axis magnetic sensor and a Y-axis magnetic sensor are realized by adequately arranging the GMR elements relative to the four sides of the quartz substrate. Herein, the magnetization direction of the pinned layer of the magnetoresistive element forms a prescribed angle of 45° relative to the longitudinal direction of the magnetoresistive element or relative to the magnetization direction of the permanent magnet film. Thus, it is possible to reliably suppress offset variations of bridge connections of the GMR elements even when an intense magnetic field is applied; and it is therefore possible to noticeably improve the resistant characteristics to an intense magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is disclosed that is disposed between top and bottom magnetic shield layers, the sensor comprising: a nonferromagnetic layer disposed beneath the top shield layer; a magnetically soft layer disposed beneath the nonferromagnetic layer, the magnetically soft layer having a magnetization that rotates in response to an applied magnetic field; a ferromagnetic pinned layer disposed beneath the magnetically soft layer; an antiferromagnetic layer disposed beneath the ferromagnetic layer; and an aluminum-nitride seed layer disposed between the antiferromagnetic layer and the bottom shield layer. The aluminum-nitride seed layer decreases sense current shunting, increases pinning strength, increases magnetoresistance and/or increases yield.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit. The electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit utilizes inductors and resistors added to sources of multiple fingers of the NMOS transistor, which is triggered by some feedback circuit uniformly. When under an ESD zapping, a finger MOS transistor is trigger initially to snapback region owing to its layout or other causes, a voltage drop across the inductor or the resistor connected to the source of the finger MOS transistor is occurred and presented to gates of the other finger MOS transistors by the feedback circuit. Thus, the other finger MOS transistors are turned on.

Abstract: An input pad for a differential current input to an integrated circuit contains a switchable and tunable input impedance. The input pad also contains ESD protection and common mode rejection while maintaining low capacitance. The common mode rejection comprises two resistors that combine to remove the common mode current from the two input lines, produce a reference current, and drive two output transistors that cancel the common mode current from the outputs.

Abstract: A surge suppressor configured to receive signals from a coaxial line having a signal carrying inner conductor and a grounded outer conductor. The surge suppressor includes an inner conductor exhibiting capacitance and configured to connect to the coaxial line inner conductor, an outer conductor configured to connect to the coaxial line outer conductor and to ground, and an inductor formed of a wire encapsulated in an encapsulating material electrically coupling the inner conductor and the outer conductor. RF signals in the surge suppressor's operating bandwidth pass through the surge suppressor relatively unimpeded while electrical surges will be diverted through the inductor to the outer conductor, and therefore to ground, and possible residual pulses will be blocked from passing through the surge suppressor by the capacitance.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention includes, between a power line 1 and a ground line 2, an NMIS transistor 3 capable of supplying fixed signals with low and high levels to the outside, an NMIS transistor 6 having a source connected to a gate of the NMIS transistor 3, a PMIS transistor 7 having a drain connected to a gate of the NMIS transistor 6, and an ESD protection power clamp circuit 14. If a surge is applied to the power line 1, the ESD protection power clamp circuit 14 is clamped to pass the surge to the ground line. While the surge is passed, the potential of the power line 1 rises to turn on the three transistors 3, 6, and 7. At this time, the NMIS transistor 6 and the PMIS transistor 7 can reduce the gate potential of the NMIS transistor 3 lower than the potential of the power line 1.

Abstract: A method for isolating suites includes the steps of isolating the suites when an alarm is initiated, setting a timer during isolation creating a window of time to clear a short circuit, clearing said short circuit, removing isolation from the suites as the timer reaches completion, determining if there is a short circuit in each of the suites, and isolating suites that have a short circuit.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a sensor comprises a control circuit for electrically supplying the sensor via a plurality of connecting lines and/or at least to detect one electrical output signal of the sensor in which case one of the connecting lines is routed via one actuatable switching element that is suitable for interrupting this line, and to detect the potential on at least one of the connecting lines and should an abnormal potential be detected on this connecting line, to actuate the switching element for interrupting the connecting line. Furthermore, one actuatable further switching element is provided for connecting a pair of connecting lines and the circuit arrangement is designed in such a way that it can actuate the connection of these connecting lines, should an abnormal potential of this further switching element be detected, to break down a potential difference between connections of the sensor.

Abstract: A surge current delay time period is added to a current limit delay time period in order to permit a longer time for a possibly temporary larger-than-steady-state electrical current, such as for a start-up power requirement. A system is described for permitting a legitimate surge current by distinguishing true over-current fault conditions from temporary surges in terms of high current duration time.

Abstract: An electric pole (1) for a low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker, comprising: a fixed contact (2) and a movable contact (3) that can be coupled/uncoupled with respect to each other, said fixed contact being electrically connected to a phase conductor, and a sensing unit that comprises a first section suitable to accommodate a current sensor associated with the phase conductor, the current sensor generating sensing signals that are indicative of the intensity of the electrical current that flows through the phase conductor, the sensing unit being electrically connected to a protection unit of the automatic power circuit breaker, the protection unit being suitable to receive the sensing signals and to generate control signals for actuation means operatively connected to said movable contact, and comprising at least one input section (14) provided with one or more electrical input terminals (141); whose particularity consists of the fact that the sensing unit comprises a second section (20), which is rigid

Abstract: The invention relates to an air ionization device comprising a high voltage line which can be connected to an AC voltage power source and point electrodes which are coupled capacitively to the high voltage line for generating a corona discharge.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge system for a road vehicle including an electrically conducting conductor element in electrical contact with an electrically conducting part of the vehicle body, an actuator mountable to the vehicle and adapted for selectively and reversibly moving the conductor element between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a controller operatively connected to the actuator and to a user interface and adapted for controlling operation of the actuator responsive to an interaction with the user interface, wherein in the deployed position the conductor element is in contact with the ground such as to provide an electrical pathway for electric charge from the electrically conducting part of the vehicle body to the ground, and wherein in the retracted position the conductor element is distanced from the ground such as to interrupt the electrical pathway.

Abstract: A capacitor is provided having a first electrode including a layer of low-resistance non-silicon material. The capacitor includes a layer of silicon formed on the low-resistance material layer and a capacitor dielectric formed on the layer of silicon. A second electrode is formed on the capacitor dielectric, the second electrode including at least a material selected from the group consisting of metals, low-resistance compounds of metals, and deposited semiconductors having a dopant concentration of at least 1×1017 cm?3.

Abstract: A window via capacitor comprises a stacked multilayer configuration of at least one bottom layer, a plurality of first and second layers, a transition layer and a cover layer. An alternative window via capacitor comprises a stacked configuration of a bottom window layer, a bottom transition layer, a plurality of first and second layers, followed by a top window layer and a top cover layer. Each first and second layer is preferably characterized by a sheet of dielectric material with a respective first or second electrode plate provided thereon. Adjacent first and second electrode plates form opposing active capacitor plates in the multilayer configuration. Portions of each first and second electrode plate extend to and are exposed on selected side portions of the periphery of the window via capacitor.

Abstract: A high voltage capacitor design is provided that provides improved performance. The high voltage capacitor includes a stack of mechanically joined capacitor cells, which in one variant utilize a separator formed of two layers of paper. In one version, the high voltage capacitor may be used as a capacitative voltage divider.

Abstract: Electrochemical double layer capacitors are disclosed that advantageously include separators having at least one porous layer of nanofibers having average diameters of between about 50 nm and about 1000 nm that provide improved combinations of reduced thickness, barrier against the development of soft short-circuits and low ionic resistance as compared with known capacitor separators.

Abstract: A foldable support structure suitable for a notebook is provided. The notebook includes a keyboard, a circuit board, and a support frame, disposed above the circuit board for carrying the edge of the keyboard. The support structure is disposed inside an opening of the support frame for supporting the bottom of the keyboard. The support structure and the support frame are fabricated as a whole. The support structure includes a flexibility section, a support section and a pedestal section. The flexibility section is connected to the support frame and the support section. The pedestal section is connected to the support section. The deformed flexibility section keeps the support section away from the circuit board. The support section has a support surface for supporting the keyboard. The pedestal section is suitable for connecting the circuit board such that a distance is kept between the support section and the circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer that includes: a system body having an input device; a display module having a display surface and a rear surface; a display case having a side wall surface; and a hinge pivotally coupling the body to the display module, the hinge including a hinge frame having first and second surfaces, the first surface coupled with the rear surface of the display module, the second surface coupled with the side wall surface of the display case.

Abstract: In a peripheral device mounting holder, a portable computer including the holder and methods for using the same, by fixing a holder mounting a storing device and a connector contacted to the storing device to a main board as one body, the holder and the connector can be aligned. In addition, by aligning an extended card with the holder, an assembly process can be facilitated, and a space usability of the main board can be improved. The holder can have a first side for engageably aligning the peripheral device and a second side opposite the first side for aligning an extended device.