Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head, a bottom pole layer is formed and a thin-film coil is formed on the bottom pole layer. A recording gap layer is then formed on the pole portion of the bottom pole layer. Next, the recording gap layer and a portion of the bottom pole layer are selectively etched through the use of a mask so as to form an end portion of the recording gap layer for defining the throat height. Next, a nonmagnetic layer is formed to fill the etched portions of the recording gap layer and the bottom pole layer while the mask is left unremoved. Next, the mask is removed, and the top surfaces of the recording gap layer and the nonmagnetic layer are flattened by polishing. A top pole layer is formed on the flattened top surfaces of the recording gap layer and the nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: A current-perpendicular-to the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive device, such as a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), is formed by patterning a capping layer (e.g., using resist) in the shape of a central region of an underlying free ferromagnetic layer that in turn resides over additional layers of the MTJ. Side regions of the capping layer are removed by ion milling or etching down into the free ferromagnetic layer. Unmasked side regions of the ferromagnetic layer are then oxidized to render them locally non-ferromagnetic and electrically insulating.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor stack, wherein the parasitic resistance of the high-resistance antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer is effectively reduced by enlarging its surface area and forming between it and the remainder of the sensor stack an equal area, contiguous, thin, highly conductive ferromagnetic layer, the current channeling (CCL) layer. The magnetic properties and increased current carrying capacity of the CCL allows the AFM pinning layer to effectively couple to the pinned layer while eliminating the effect of its high resistance on the sensor sensitivity as measured by the GMR ratio, ?R/R.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an actuator assembly of a disk drive. The method includes providing an actuator arm, providing a suspension arm, fixing a swage plate to the suspension arm, the swage plate including a swage boss extending therefrom, depositing a film lubricant upon at least an outer surface of the swage boss, and attaching the suspension arm to the actuator arm by swaging. A method is also provided for reducing torque out retention values between the actuator arm and the suspension arm when the actuator arm and suspension arm must be separated in a subsequent de-swaging process. This method includes providing an outer surface of the swage boss, and applying a lubricant film coating to the outer surface of the swage boss. A preferred thin film lubricant may be applied by emersion and draining, localized spraying, or various deposition processes.

Abstract: Methods of making a magnetic recording device with an “anchored” conductive stud which is securely attached within its surrounding insulator materials. The conductive stud is formed over a conductive layer which is coupled to or part of a read or a write head element of the magnetic recording device. The conductive stud has a top stud portion and a bottom undercut portion formed over the conductive layer. In one illustrated embodiment, the bottom undercut portion has a width that is greater than the width of the top stud portion. Since an insulator is formed around the conductive stud and over its bottom undercut portion, a secure coupling between the conductive stud and the conductive layer is provided. Preferably, the conductive layer is made of copper (Cu), the conductive stud is made of gold (Au), and the insulator is alumina (Al2O3). A seed layer may be formed between the conductive stud and the conductive layer.

Abstract: An antiferromagnetic stabilization scheme is employed in a magnetic head for magnetically stabilizing a free layer of a spin valve. This is accomplished by utilizing an antiferromagnetic oxide film below a spin valve sensor in a read region and first and second lead layers in end regions and a ferromagnetic film in each of the lead layers that exchange couples to the antiferromagnetic oxide film in the end regions. The ferromagnetic films are pinned with their magnetic moments oriented parallel to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head. The ferromagnetic film magnetostatically couples to the free layer which causes the free layer to be in a single magnetic domain state. Accordingly, when the free layer is subjected to magnetic incursions from a rotating disk in a disk drive, the free layer maintains a stable magnetic condition so that resistance changes of the free layer are not altered by differing magnetic conditions of the free layer.

Abstract: A high-precision conductive thin film pattern having a high aspect ratio and a method of forming the same are provided. Further, a method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head, a thin film inductor, and a micro device each including such a conductive thin film pattern is provided. Since a stacked layer structure including two conductive layer patterns formed by plating growth using an underfilm pattern as an electrode film and an intermediate conductive layer pattern sandwiched by the two conductive layer patterns is provided, a thicker conductive thin film pattern is obtained. An intermediate conductive layer covering a first resist frame is formed and, after that, a second resist frame is formed in a position corresponding to the first resist frame. Consequently, without causing inter-mixing, the first and second resist frames can be stacked. Thus, a thicker conductive thin film pattern can be formed easily with high precision.

Abstract: A patterned, synthetic, longitudinally exchange biased GMR sensor is provided which has a narrow effective trackwidth and reduced side reading. The advantageous properties of the sensor are obtained by satisfying a novel relationship between the magnetizations (M) of the ferromagnetic free layer (F1) and the ferromagnetic biasing layer (F2) which enables the optimal thicknesses of those layers to be determined for a wide range of ferromagnetic materials and exchange coupling materials. The relationship to be satisfied is MF2/MF1=(Js+Jex)/Js, where Js is the synthetic coupling energy between F1 and F2 and Jex is the exchange energy between F2 and an overlaying antiferromagnetic pinning layer. An alternative embodiment omits the overlaying antiferromagnetic pinning layer which causes the relationship to become MF2/MF1=1.

Abstract: A method for forming a read transducer by ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing to eliminate nonuniformity near the MR sensor is disclosed. The resist mask is eliminated in the read transducer formation process so that the thickness of the layers near the read transducer has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: An inductive write element is disclosed for use in a magnetic data recording system. The write element provides increased data rate and data density capabilities through improved magnetic flux flow through the element. The write element includes a magnetic yoke constructed of first and second magnetic poles. The first pole includes a pedestal constructed of a high magnetic moment (high Bsat) material, which is preferably FeRhN nanocrystalline films with lamination layers of CoZrCr. The second pole includes a thin inner layer of high Bsat material (also preferably FeRhN nanocrystalline films with lamination layers of CoZrCr), the remainder being constructed of a magnetic material capable of being electroplated, such as a Ni—Fe alloy. An electrically conductive coil passes through the yoke between the first and second poles to induce a magnetic flux in the yoke when an electrical current is caused to flow through the coil.

Abstract: A narrow track width read sensor having a high magnetoresistive sensitivity is made using a self-aligned process which requires the use of only a single resist mask. A plurality of sensor layers is deposited over a substrate. After forming a resist mask in the central region, first lead layers are deposited in the end regions and over the resist mask. Using the resist mask, ion milling is performed such that the first lead layers and sensor layers in the end regions are substantially removed but sensor layers in the central region remain, to thereby form a read sensor having lead overlays on the edges thereof. Hard bias and second lead layers are then deposited in the end regions and over the resist mask. After the resist mask is removed, the top of the read sensor may be oxidized through an exposure to oxygen plasma.

Abstract: A method for handling workpieces such as hard disk drive sliders during a debonding process uses a fixture having two sets of finger-like projections that are interleaved. The sets are movable relative to each other to space apart the sliders after they are processed from their original row configuration. The post-processing separation is required to properly debond the sliders. The fingers on each set are closely interleaved to reduce the amount of displacement required to adequately separate the sliders for debonding. After the sliders are displaced, they are directly debonded into the inspection trays. This design eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpieces during these phases of manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of assembling a plurality of disk drives comprising providing an assembly-plate comprising a plate alignment feature (PAF) and a plurality of cells wherein each cell has a cell alignment feature (CAF) and is adapted to receive and retain a disk drive; determining a valid alignment of the assembly-plate in relation to a disk drive assembly device based on PAF; selecting a disk drive for assembly; determining a valid alignment of a selected cell in relation to disk drive assembly device based on CAF of selected cell; placing an initial component of selected disk drive in selected cell wherein the initial component is retained by the cell via a retention feature of cell; repeating the selecting, determining a valid alignment of a selected cell, and placing for each of disk drives; and completing the assembling of each disk drive during which each disk drive remains in its cell.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the pitch static attitude of a slider in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are simultaneously plastically deformed to define the pitch static attitude. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are deformed at approximately the same longitudinal location.

Abstract: A tilt adjusting method for a recording medium driving apparatus including a linear driving device including first and second parallel guide shafts. The method provides a flat mirror on a turntable, an auto-collimator, and a skew angle adjusting jig including an optically flat surface. In a first state of the jig, a height of the second end of the first shaft is adjusted so that a tilt of the first shaft in a radial direction matches a tilt of the mirror, and a height of the first end of the second shaft is adjusted so that a tilt of the first shaft in a tangential direction matches the tilt of the mirror. And, in a second state of the jig, a height of the second end of the second shaft is adjusted so that a tilt of the second shaft in a radial direction matches the tilt of the mirror.

Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film magnetic head capable of improving recording performance. The thin film magnetic head comprises a laminate including a main pole layer and an auxiliary pole layer being disposed in a region facing the main pole layer with a non-magnetic layer in between. After magnetic flux generated in a thin film coil is contained in the auxiliary pole layer through the non-magnetic layer, and then is concentrated on a front end neighboring portion of a front end portion in the auxiliary pole layer, the magnetic flux passes through the non-magnetic layer again so as to flow into a front end portion of the main pole layer.

Abstract: A major problem in Lead Overlay design for GMR structures is that the magnetic read track width is wider than the physical read track width. This is due to high interfacial resistance between the leads and the GMR layer which is an unavoidable side effect of prior art methods. The present invention uses electroplating preceded by a wet etch to fabricate the leads. This approach requires only a thin protection layer over the GMR layer to ensure that interface resistance is minimal. Using wet surface cleaning avoids sputtering defects and plating is compatible with this so the cleaned surface is preserved Only a single lithography step is needed to define the track since there is no re-deposition involved.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head capable of improving a high frequency response characteristic and the efficiency of the head, and reducing the manufacturing time, and a method of manufacturing the thin film magnetic head. After laminating a precursory layer for forming a coil pattern, a precursory layer for forming a separate layer, and a precursory layer for forming a coil pattern, these layers are continuously patterned with the use of a mask by etching to selectively form the coil pattern, the separate layer and the coil pattern in a batch process. The number of the manufacturing steps (the number of photolithography processes) is reduced compared with the case where the coil pattern, the separate layer, and the coil pattern are formed by plating in separate processes, so that a thin film coil comprising the coil patterns can be formed in a shorter time.

Abstract: A recording head for use with magnetic recording media has an improved structure, made by a simplified manufacturing process. The electrically insulating materials within the recording head are inorganic. The insulating materials are vacuum deposited, with no need to use a hard bake process that would be required for use of organic insulators. In one embodiment, the write gap is first masked, and then the coil is deposited on the write gap. A slightly larger area is then exposed within the mask, permitting insulation to be deposited over the coil. In a second embodiment, the coil and associated insulation are deposited and then milled to have a tapered configuration. This recording head also places the writing pole on a very flat surface, thereby allowing plated or deposited films to be easily manufactured to correspond to narrow track widths.

Abstract: A computer disk drive (22) having a write head (52) which includes a coil (38), a photoresist insulation layer (66) formed on the coil (38), and an insulation shell layer (102) which is formed on the photoresist insulation layer (66). In the first preferred embodiment (100), the top pole (42) of the write head (52) is formed on the insulation shell layer (102). In the second preferred embodiment (200), the disk drive write gap (76) is formed on the insulation shell layer (102) and the top pole (42) of the write head (52) is formed on the write gap (76). The insulation shell layers (102) in both embodiments are preferably made of dielectric materials (103). Methods of fabrication for these embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a head element of a computer disk drive during rework operations by applying thioropolymeric protective coating or film to the head element after the disk drive has been opened. Application of the protective coating is preferably performed utilizing a solvent-mediated deposition process. Further aspects of the invention include the application of the protective coating to the head element prior to storage of the head element or prior to shipping the head element in order to facilitate rework of the head element or other components of the disassembled disk drive.

Abstract: The side edge of the main magnetic pole layer is prevented from protruding in the track width direction even when a skew angle is generated by forming the main magnetic pole layer of the opposing face opposing the recording medium as an inverted trapezoid, thereby enabling the occurrence of side fringing to be prevented.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head which can exhibit a high-performance head characteristic without complicating the manufacturing procedure. A coil connection is integrated into one body and constituted part of the thin film coil. A connection middle pattern is provided on the coil connection at the time of forming a pole tip so that the position of the upper surface of the connection middle pattern becomes higher than that of the top pole tip. After the whole portion is covered by an insulating film, the connection middle pattern also can be exposed by polishing the surface of the insulating film until the top pole tip is exposed. Therefore, unlike the case where no connection middle pattern is provided, it is not necessary to form an opening by partially removing part of the insulating film. As a result, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced.

Abstract: The magnetic head of the present invention, includes a second magnetic pole (P2 pole) that is fabricated upon a write gap layer that is deposited upon a flat surface. To achieve the flat surface, a P1 pole pedestal is formed upon the P1 pole layer with a sufficient thickness that the induction coil structure can be fabricated beneath the write gap layer. In the preferred embodiment, an etch stop layer is formed upon the P1 pole layer and an ion etching process is utilized to form the induction coil trenches in an etchable material that is deposited upon the etch stop layer. Following the fabrication of the induction coil structure a CMP process is conducted to obtain a polished flat surface upon which to deposit the write gap layer, and the P2 pole is then fabricated upon the flat write gap layer. The magnetic head of the present invention can be reliably fabricated with a more narrow P2 pole tip base width, such that data tracks written by the magnetic head are likewise narrower.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated lead suspension or component having an integrated circuit (IC) with an array of terminals. The suspension or component is formed from a laminated sheet of material including a spring metal layer and a conductive material layer separated by an insulating layer. The method includes forming an IC window in the spring metal layer, forming integrated conductive leads in the conductive material layer and forming holes in the insulating layer. The IC can then be mounted to the suspension or component in the IC window, and the array of terminals electrically interconnected to the integrated conductive leads through the insulating layer.

Abstract: A GMR sensor having improved longitudinal biasing is provided as is a method of forming it. The improved biasing is provided by longitudinal biasing structures in which a soft magnetic layer is interposed between a hard magnetic biasing layer and the lateral edge of the GMR sensor element. The soft magnetic layer eliminates the need for a seed layer directly between the hard magnetic layer and the GMR element and provides improved coupling to the free layer of the GMR element and a substantial reduction in random domain variations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive read head which reduces electrostatic discharge and allows measurement of gap resistances in the head.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetic lower core layer, a magnetic upper core layer, a coil layer, for inducing a recording magnetic field in the lower core layer and the upper core layer, formed so as to go around the base of the upper core layer, and a planarizing layer formed in the periphery of the lower core layer, excluding the section exposed to the air bearing surface, so that the surface of the planarizing layer is level with the surface of the lower core layer, the coil layer being formed from on the lower core layer to on the planarizing layer. A method of producing a thin film magnetic head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for mounting removably secured actuator arms that include head suspensions to an actuator assembly spindle. Each arm is mounted to an actuator spindle via a spacer with an annular lip with at least one detent formed into its perimeter edge. Each actuator arm includes two resilient fingers, annularly shaped to form an interior radius smaller than the spacer radius with at least one engagement member formed into a finger. Each arm is mounted by expanding the resilient fingers to a stressed state, engaging the fingers with the lip, and positioning the fingers so that each engagement member is aligned and engaged with a detent. The spacer alternatively includes a guide slot in a planar surface from which the lip extends, with the guide slot being engaged by a boss tower on the arm to properly orient the arm when mounting the arm to the spacer.

Abstract: A suspension load beam for an actuator assembly of a disk drive includes a bend radius portion with a spring rate that is less than 18 Newtons per meter, a first bending mode that is greater than 3,500 Hertz, and a first torsion mode that is greater than 5,300 Hertz. The method of making this suspension load beam includes cutting a sheet of material to form a flat suspension load beam including a bend radius portion, removing material in the bend radius portion from full thickness, inspecting the bend radius portion to determine its thickness, and removing material from the bend radius portion and/or from the main body of the suspension load beam to compromise the performance difference due to thickness variation in bend radius portion.

Abstract: An electrode film and a protective electrode film are formed on an insulating film and a first magnetic film in turn. Then, a first photoresist layer, an intermediate layer and a second photoresist layer are formed on the protective electrode film in turn. The intermediate layer is formed by a sputtering method so that the surface temperature of the intermediate layer is set to 140° C. or below. Then, the first photoresist layer is exposed and developed, to fabricate a photoresist pattern. Then, the intermediate layer is partially etched and removed via the photoresist pattern as a mask by a reactive ion etching method using a chlorine-based gas.

Abstract: A recording/reproduction element is mounted on a magnetic head slider via a piezoelectric element so that a displacement of the piezoelectric element performs fine control of the position of the recording/reproduction, thus enabling fine spacing and high track positioning accuracy. This improves linear recording density and track density. A pair of electrodes are formed on both sides of a piezoelectric element to constitute a piezoelectric actuator. One electrode is arranged opposite the rear surface (air flow out end) of a magnetic head slider 11. A recording/reproduction element is arranged on and electrically insulated from the other electrode. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element displaced in a spacing direction, enabling fine spacing control, a piezoelectric element displaced in the track direction, enabling a fine track position control, and a piezoelectric element displaced in a magnetic disc rotation direction, enabling reduction of jitter of a reproduction signal.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic read/write head and slider assembly, wherein the assembly has improved heat spreading and dissipation properties and the read/write head exhibits significantly reduced thermal protrusion during operation. The method of fabrication is simple and efficient, involving only the extension of at least one of the conductive mounting pads so that it is in thermal contact with a portion of the slider surface that is directly above the read/write element.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetoresistance effect element which is capable of causing a large sense current to flow between electrodes and which has a smaller dispersion in direction of magnetization of a CPP element based on a magnetic field due to the sense current and has a lager reproducing output, and a method for producing the same. The magnetoresistance effect element is produced by: after forming a first electrode, forming a magnetoresistance effect film on the first electrode; applying a self-condensing organic resist on the magnetoresistance effect film, and thereafter, causing the organic resist to be droplets; subsequently, forming an insulating film thereon, and thereafter, removing the organic resist to form a groove portion in the insulating film to expose the top surface of the magnetoresistance effect film; and filling the groove portion with an electrode material to form a second electrode.

Abstract: An exchange-coupled magnetic structure of a cobalt-ferrite layer adjacent a magnetic metal layer is used in magnetorestive sensors, such as spin valves or tunnel junction valves. The exchange-coupled magnetic structure is used in a pinning structure pinning the magnetization of a ferromagnetic pinned layer, or in an AP pinned layer. A low coercivity ferrite may be used in an AP free layer. Cobalt-ferrite layers may be formed by co-sputtering of Co and Fe in an oxygen/argon gas mixture, or by sputtering of a CoFe2 composition target in an oxygen/argon gas mixture. Alternatively, the cobalt-ferrite layer may be formed by evaporation of Co and Fe from an alloy source or separate sources along with a flux of oxygen atoms from a RF oxygen atom beam source. Magnetoresistive sensors including cobalt-ferrite layers have small read gaps and produce large signals with high efficiency.

Abstract: A horizontal combined head is provided which has both a thin film write and an MR read element located at an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element can be formed with a track width that is independent of the track width of the write element. The MR sensor or the read element is separated from one of the first and second pole pieces of the write element by an insulation layer. Accordingly, the shields for the read element remain more stable after a write operation. In one embodiment of the present invention a single stripe MR sensor is employed while in a second embodiment a dual stripe MR sensor is employed. A method of the invention includes forming the dual MR stripe in a single process step so that the dual MR stripes of the dual MR sensor are near identical for implementing near absolute common mode rejection of noise.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stationary member, a movable member magnetically coupled with the stationary member with a gap therebetween, and a support member for displaceably supporting the movable member relative to the stationary member. Both the stationary member and the movable member have a core section carrying a coil wound around its periphery. As the coil of the stationary member and that of the movable member are energized with electric current, the movable member is either attracted toward or repulsed from the stationary member. The electromagnetic actuator can be used for an optical scanner by providing a mirror and a lens on the movable member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active element for use with a magnetic head includes depositing a magnetic material to form a magnetic member, and nitriding the magnetic member after the depositing step. Preferably, the depositing step comprises depositing nickel-iron alloy, and the nitriding step comprises plasma nitriding the magnetic member. Advantageously, plasma nitriding may be performed at a temperature below 300 degrees Celsius to avoid adverse effects to components of the active element, such as organic planars. Active elements manufactured according to the method of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic head is configured by forming a thin-film-shaped magnetic element on top of a thin film that is provided parallel to a medium-facing surface. An aperture is formed in the thin film, and part of a main magnetic pole is formed to have a tip portion that protrudes into that aperture. This configuration makes it possible to impose highly accurate control over the amount by which thin-film-shaped magnetic elements are recessed from the medium-facing surface, while simultaneously exerting accurate control over the amount of protrusion of the main magnetic pole tip portion by making the thickness of the thin film extremely small. As a result, the recording flux strength at the main magnetic pole tip portion can be increased to the ultimate value thereof, making it possible to supply a head that can record on a high retention force medium suitable for higher densities.

Abstract: An antiferromagnetic stabilization scheme is employed in a magnetic head for magnetically stabilizing a free layer of a spin valve. This is accomplished by utilizing an antiferromagnetic oxide film below a spin valve sensor in a read region and first and second lead layers in end regions and a ferromagnetic film in each of the lead layers that exchange couples to the antiferromagnetic oxide film in the end regions. The ferromagnetic films are pinned with their magnetic moments oriented parallel to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head. The ferromagnetic films magnetostatically couple to the free layer which causes the free layer to be in a single magnetic domain state. Accordingly, when the free layer is subjected to magnetic incursions from a rotating disk in a disk drive, the free layer maintains a stable magnetic condition so that resistance changes of the free layer are not altered by differing magnetic conditions of the free layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spin valve film, which produces a large read out signal. After a completion of a film making process for forming a previous film of two films to be formed successively, but before an initiation of a film making process forming a succeeding film of the two the films, a step of decreasing an anisotropic magnetic field of the spin valve film is introduced by interrupting a film making process. This step may be performed by keeping a substrate within a sputtering vacuum chamber. The interruption can be shortened by exposing the substrate to a plasma, transferring the substrate in a separate vacuum chamber whose degree of vacuum is lower or whose H2O or O2 concentration is higher than that in the sputtering vacuum chamber, conducting a surface treatment with a gas containing H2O or O2, or flowing a process gas.

Abstract: A spin valve sensor is provided with a negative ferromagnetic coupling field ?HFC for properly biasing a free layer and a spin filter layer is employed between the free layer and a capping layer for increasing the magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R of the spin valve sensor. A top portion of the free layer is oxidized for improving the negative ferromagnetic coupling field ?HFC when the spin filter layer is employed for increasing the magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R.

Abstract: In current synthetically pinned CPP SV designs, AP2 always makes a negative contribution to the device's GMR since its magnetization direction must be anti-parallel to the pinned layer (AP1). This effect has been reduced by replacing the conventional single layer AP2, that forms part of the synthetic pinned layer, with a multilayer structure into which has been inserted at least one layer of a material such as tantalum that serves to depolarize the spin of electrons that traverse its interfaces. The result is a reduction of said negative contribution by AP2, leading to a significant increase in the GMR ratio.

Abstract: A manufacturing method in which a second magnetic layer of a thin-film magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a pole portion layer; forming a protective layer so as to cover a part of the pole portion layer located near the medium facing surface ABS; forming an electrode layer to be used as an electrode when forming a yoke portion layer by electroplating; forming the yoke portion layer by electroplating on the electrode layer using the electrode layer as an electrode; and removing an unnecessary portion of the electrode layer.

Abstract: A TMR element includes: a free layer formed on a lower gap layer; a tunnel barrier layer formed on the free layer; and a pinned layer formed on the tunnel barrier layer. The pinned layer and the tunnel barrier layer have sidewalls formed through etching. The TMR element further comprises a deposition layer made of a material that is separated by etching and deposits on the sidewalls and undergoes oxidation.

Abstract: A method for producing a slider for an optical head includes a slider member adapted for floating and running over a recording medium during recording and/or reproduction of information signals for the recording medium. An optical lens is bonded to the slider member and a magnetic field generator provided on a surface of the slider member carrying the optical lens facing the recording medium. A first step is forming a groove presenting a bottom surface inclined in the depth-wise direction by ejecting a polishing agent dispersed in a compressed gas on a substrate. A second step is charging an electrically conductive material, which proves a terminal electrically connected to the magnetic field generator in the inside of the groove formed in the substrate. A third step is cutting the substrate in the vicinity of an end of the groove to form a plurality of individual slider members.

Abstract: The invention allows a thin-film magnetic head that meets specifications required by the customer to be provided in a short period of time and manufacturing costs to be reduced. A slider includes a first surface and a second surface each facing opposite directions. Two magnetic head element portions are formed in the slider near an end face orthogonal to the direction of air flow. One of the element portions is placed to face the first surface. The other element portion is placed to face the second surface. The element portions are placed in symmetrical positions with respect to a place parallel to the first and second surfaces. On the end face four pad-shaped electrodes are provided for electrically connecting the two element portions to an external device. The electrodes are selectively connected to any of the element portions through four conductors.

Abstract: A device for accessing data stored on a medium includes a substrate that has a transducer on a back side, a bottom side facing the disc, and a surface that protrudes from the bottom side. An insulation layer is placed on top of the surface. An electrostatic actuator electrode is placed on top of the insulation layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode faces the medium across an electrostatically charged portion of an air layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode protrudes above the surface into the electrostatically charged portion of the air layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head for recording and reading optical data. The method includes: providing a silicon substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon deposition layer are stacked; etching the bottom of the silicon substrate by a given depth to form an opening; forming an aperture having a given slant angle in the silicon deposition layer located on the opening; etching the portion of the silicon oxide film, exposed through the opening; forming a dielectric layer on the silicon deposition layer including the aperture; removing an exposed portion of the bottom of the silicon deposition layer by a given thickness to expose a portion of the dielectric layer, forming a probe on the exposed portion of the dielectric layer and the silicon deposition layer exposed through the opening; and burying the aperture with a non-linear material.