Abstract: A method for forming a pattern film with a narrower width than the resolution of an exposure machine and a resist used independently of etching is provided. The method comprises the steps of: forming a first frame layer having end surfaces facing each other across a space having a width W1; forming a second frame layer having end surfaces facing each other across a space having a width W2 that is larger than the width W1, the space having the width W2 being located right above the space having the width W1; forming a trench-forming film provided with a trench having a minimum width W3 that is smaller than the width W1 so as to fill at least a part of the spaces having the width W1 and the width W2 respectively; and forming a pattern film so as to fill at least a part of the trench.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin-film element having a lower layer with a narrower width is provided, which comprises steps of: forming a first film and a second film on the first film; forming a second layer having a width WUP obtained by trimming the second film; forming a mask film having a smaller etching rate than the first film so as to cover the second layer; forming a pattern having a width WTR larger than the width WUP, obtained by collectively trimming the mask film covering the second layer and at least an upper portion of the first film; and forming a first layer having a width WLO smaller than the width WUP or having a portion with a width WLO smaller than the width WUP, obtained by trimming the first film without changing the width WUP of the second layer.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is capable of highly precisely producing a magnetic head. The method comprises the steps of: forming a pole end part of a magnetic layer, which becomes a magnetic pole and which is formed on a surface of a work piece on which the magnetic head will be formed, into a prescribed shape; coating at least a top part of the magnetic layer with a stopper layer; coating a surface of the work piece, on which the stopper layer has been formed, with an insulating layer, whose polishing rate is higher than that of the stopper layer; polishing the surface of the work piece until the stopper layer, which coats the top part of the magnetic layer, is exposed from the insulating layer; and removing the stopper layer, which has been exposed in a surface of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating pole piece tips for a magnetic transducer are disclosed. The ion-milling operations for trimming P2 and notching P1 are controlled using feed-forward and feedback. The preferred method of the invention includes steps for setting four time values used in different phases of the ion-milling process based on feed-forward and feedback of measured values including the P2 width measured in the mask, multiple P2B measurements and measurement of the notch depth.

Abstract: The perpendicular magnetic head fabrication and testing method includes the additional fabrication of magnetic pole testing structures in the kerf area of the wafer substrate. Particularly, magnetic interconnect pieces are fabricated in the kerf area to magnetically connect an extending portion of the first magnetic pole with an extending portion of the second magnetic pole. As a result, when the perpendicular magnetic heads are fabricated at the wafer level, the first and second magnetic poles are interconnected through structures located in the kerf area. Thereafter, an ISAT magnetic pole test can be conducted by passing electrical current through the induction coil of the magnetic head, and magnetic flux will flow through the interconnected magnetic pole structure, thereby enabling the testing of the magnetic poles of the perpendicular magnetic head at the wafer level.

Abstract: A method for adjusting static attitude of a head suspension is provided that includes providing an adjustment pin and adjusting the static attitude of a supported head suspension by contacting the head suspension with the adjustment pin to cause a predetermined attitude change in the head suspension. Once adjusted, the head suspension is exposed to heat for a predetermined period of time. The adjustment pin is manipulated, such as by pivoting, translation or both, about the head slider mounting region to cause angular reorientation of the region prior to exposure to the heat. Measurement of the static attitude of the head suspension may be performed before adjusting, after adjusting or both. A static attitude adjustment system is also provided including a manipulatable adjustment pin to be placed in contact with the head suspension and a heat source configured to expose the suspension to heat.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for supporting a read/write device in an information storage device having an actuator arm having at least one tower protruding from a first surface of the actuator arm, a loadbeam having at least one tower receiving means for receiving the at least one tower, wherein the at least one tower is shaped to extend into the at least one tower receiving means when the loadbeam is joined with the actuator arm, and wherein the tower and tower receiving means are configured such that deforming the at least one tower when within the at least one tower receiving means provides a deformation interference between the at least one tower and the at least one tower receiving means that reduces movement of the tower receiving means relative to the tower.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises first and second magnetic pole groups, magnetically connected to each other, having respective magnetic pole parts opposing each other on a side of a medium-opposing surface; a recording gap layer formed between the magnetic pole parts; and a thin-film coil insulated from the first and second magnetic pole groups and helically wound about at least one of them; which are laminated on a substrate. The thin-film coil comprises a first conductor group having a plurality of inner conductor parts disposed between the first and second magnetic pole groups, a second conductor group having a plurality of outer conductor parts disposed outside the second magnetic pole group, and a connecting part group having a plurality of connecting parts for connecting the inner conductor parts to the outer conductor parts.

Abstract: Magnetic heads capable of recording and reading with high sensitivity and resolution are provided by minimizing the outflow of magnetic fluxes from a flux guide to magnetic shields while using a flux guide structure for an MR element. In the magnetic head, magnetic shields exposed on a surface opposite a magnetic recording medium (air bearing surface) and a flux guide exposed between the magnetic heads via a non-magnetic layer are provided, and magnetic fluxes are guided by the flux guide to a magnetoresistive (MR) element formed in a position not exposed on the air bearing surface. The height of the magnetic shields in direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface is less than the distance from the air bearing surface to the MR element.

Abstract: During fabrication of a write head via holes are first opened in a gap layer, followed by formation of seed layers instead of the other way around. Moreover a first seed layer is formed, and without the first seed layer being used a second seed layer is formed. The second seed layer (which is the topmost layer) is used in plating to form coils (e.g. of copper) for the write head. After coil formation, the first seed layer is used for plating to form vias (e.g. of NiFe). The two seed layers may be formed in a single operation by using two different targets in a vacuum deposition chamber. Moreover, a single insulation layer is sufficient to insulate and protect all plated elements, regardless of whether they are formed by use of the first seed layer or the second seed layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assembling a head gimbal assembly useful in a hard disk drive and for testing such an assembly. In a method in accord with the present invention a head/slider is mounted to a circuited gimbal in an automated assembly machine. Following this step the head/slider circuited gimbal assembly will be subjected a dynamic electrical test with those head/slider circuited gimbal assemblies not passing being sorted from the lot. Following this step the head/slider circuited assembly will be attached to a suspension.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for aligning the component parts of a drum assembly are disclosed. One aspect of the invention relates to tools for measuring and aligning the component parts of the drum assembly. By way of example, the tools may include indicator tools for measuring the relative position of the component parts, as well as alignment tools for aligning the component parts in accordance with the measurements. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of measuring and aligning the component parts of the drum assembly. By way of example, some methods may pertain to aligning the upper drum and/or the drum support of the drum assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is an object to provide an apparatus or a method making it possible to easily effect connection between additional electrodes, etc. and lead electrodes when performing a processing for achieving a predetermined throat height value or crown processing or the like and making it possible to measure the requisite lapping amount. For achieving the object, a flexible electrode extension sheet is used which consists of a portion for retaining a ceramic bar in which element portions are formed and a portion where there are formed wirings respectively in correspondence with the elements and adapted to be connected to these elements, in which these wirings, which can be easily connected to an external measurement system, are electrically connected to the elements, whereby the lapping amount is easily obtained from the characteristic amount of the elements in the lapping process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin film magnetic recording head including a perpendicular recording head having an auxiliary pole, a main pole and a shield against an external magnetic field. The shield against the external magnetic field is formed so that an edge of the shield against the external magnetic field is disposed at a position recessed at least from an edge of the main pole relative to a surface against a medium.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of a recording medium comprising the sequential steps of providing a substrate/workpiece comprising a topographical pattern formed in a portion of a surface of the substrate/workpiece. The pattern defines a periphery. An alignment mark is formed in another portion of the surface of surrounding the periphery. An opaque protective film is formed overlying the entirety of the surface. A peripheral portion of the protective film is removed to expose the alignment mark. Selected portions of the substrate/workpiece are removed while the alignment mark is utilized for accurate alignment during the removal process. Remaining portions of the protective film are removed prior to use.

Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders with one or more sacrificial structures (extensions) that facilitate lapping to create the air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. Prior to separating individual sliders from a wafer, a mask of material that is not removable by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) is patterned on the surface of the sliders. The mask outlines a sacrificial extension around portions of the magnetic transducer elements that are nearest the predetermined plane which will become the ABS. The sacrificial extension makes the surface of the slider which will be lapped non-planar. The sacrificial extension extends below the predetermined ABS plane. When the sliders are individually separated by DRIE, the shape of the mask including the sacrificial extension is projected down into and along the slider body.

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: A magnetoresistive read head has read head layers that are shaped to form an air bearing surface and a sensor stripe cavity with an open side at the air bearing surface. A sensor stripe is deposited in the sensor stripe cavity. The sensor stripe has a front surface that is set back from the air bearing surface to define an encapsulation cavity extending from the front surface to the air bearing surface. An encapsulation layer is deposited in the encapsulation cavity. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the front surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for preserving the transverse biasing of a GMR (or MR) read head during back-end processing. In a first preferred embodiment, the method comprises magnetizing the longitudinal biasing layers of the read head in a transverse direction, so that the resulting field at the position of the transverse biasing layer places it in a minimum of potential energy which stabilizes its direction. The field of the longitudinal biasing layer is then reset to the longitudinal direction in a manner which maintains the transverse biasing direction. In a second embodiment, a novel fixture for mounting the read head during processing includes a magnetic portion which stabilizes the transverse bias of the read head. The two methods may be used singly or in combination.

Abstract: On a single chip are formed a plurality of magnetoresistance effect elements provided with pinned layers having fixed magnetization axes in the directions that cross each other. On a substrate 10 are formed magnetic layers that will become two magnetic tunnel effect elements 11, 21 as magnetoresistance effect elements. Magnetic-field-applying magnetic layers made of NiCo are formed to sandwich the magnetic layers in plan view. A magnetic field is applied to the magnetic-field-applying magnetic layers. The magnetic field is removed after the magnetic-field-applying magnetic layers are magnetized in the direction shown by arrow A.

Abstract: Currently, the shield-to-shield separation of a spin valve head cannot be below about 800 ?, mainly due to sensor-to-lead shorting problems. This problem has now been overcome by inserting a high permeability, high resistivity, thin film shield on the top or bottom (or both) sides of the spin valve sensor. A permeability greater than about 500 is required together with a resistivity about 5 times greater than that of the free layer and an MrT value for the thin film shield that is 4 times greater than that of the free layer. Five embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention features a method for inserting a disk drive into peripheral bay chassis. A disk drive is received into a base of a disk drive carrier, the base having an uppermost surface and being rotatably attached to a latching mechanism. A lever can rotate between an open position and a closed position, the lever having comprising a lower engagement point and an upper engagement point. The carrier is inserted into a peripheral bay chassis slot while the lever is in an open position. The carrier is secured to the peripheral bay chassis by rotating the lever to the closed position to extend the upper engagement point beyond the uppermost surface of the base and engage the peripheral bay chassis with and to extend the lower engagement point to engage the peripheral bay chassis.

Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided for manufacturing a head material including: a plurality of rows of head-to-be sections to be thin-film magnetic heads; an inter-row cutting section provided to be a position at which adjacent ones of the rows are to be separated; and an intra-row cutting section provided to be a position at which adjacent ones of the head-to-be sections in each of the rows are to be separated. The method includes the steps of: providing a detection element to be used for detecting an amount of processing when specific processing is performed on the head material; an electrode for electrically connecting the detection element to an external device; and a conductor for electrically connecting the electrode to the detection element; and forming the electrode in the inter-row section.

Abstract: A method of forming a magneto-resistive memory element includes forming a groove in a layer of insulating material. A liner is formed conformably within the groove and the groove is filled with copper and then planarized. The electrically conductive material is provided an upper surface that is recessed relative to the upper surface of the layer of insulating material. A cap, which can be conductive (e.g., Ta) or resistive (e.g., TiAIN), is disposed over the electrically conductive material and within the groove. A surface of the cap that faces away from the electrically conductive material, is formed with an elevation substantially equal to that of the edge of the liner, or the cap can extend over the liner edge. At least one layer of magneto-resistive material is disposed over a portion of the cap. Advantageously, the cap can protect the copper line from harmful etch processes required for etching a MRAM stack, while keeping the structure planar after CMP.

Abstract: A magnetic head cluster is provided along with a method of making a magnetic head cluster. The magnetic head cluster comprises a substrate having a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) read and inductive magnetic write transducers and a plurality of terminals formed thereon. A plurality of lapping guides are also provided on the substrate between adjacent transducers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductor comprising a plurality of interconnected conductive segments interwoven with a substrate. The inductance of the inductor is increased through the use of coatings and films of ferromagnetic materials such as magnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. The inductor is compatible with integrated circuit manufacturing techniques and eliminates the need in many systems and circuits for large off chip inductors. A sense and measurement coil, which is fabricated on the same substrate as the inductor, provides the capability to measure the magnetic field or flux produced by the inductor. This on chip measurement capability supplies information that permits circuit engineers to design and fabricate on chip inductors to very tight tolerances.

Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders with one or more sacrificial structures (extensions) that facilitate lapping to create the air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. Prior to separating individual sliders from a wafer, a mask of material that is not removable by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) is patterned on the surface of the sliders. The mask outlines a sacrificial extension around portions of the magnetic transducer elements that are nearest the predetermined plane which will become the ABS. The sacrificial extension makes the surface of the slider which will be lapped non-planar. The sacrificial extension extends below the predetermined ABS plane. When the sliders are individually separated by DRIE, the shape of the mask including the sacrificial extension is projected down into and along the slider body. In one embodiment, additional guide rails are disposed along the outer edges of the slider to facilitate maintaining slider symmetry during the lapping process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductor comprising a plurality of interconnected conductive segments interwoven with a substrate. The inductance of the inductor is increased through the use of coatings and films of ferromagnetic materials such as magnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. The inductor is compatible with integrated circuit manufacturing techniques and eliminates the need in many systems and circuits for large off chip inductors. A sense and measurement coil, which is fabricated on the same substrate as the inductor, provides the capability to measure the magnetic field or flux produced by the inductor. This on chip measurement capability supplies information that permits circuit engineers to design and fabricate on chip inductors to very tight tolerances.

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: The invention relates to an inductor comprising a plurality of interconnected conductive segments interwoven with a substrate. The inductance of the inductor is increased through the use of coatings and films of ferromagnetic materials such as magnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. The inductor is compatible with integrated circuit manufacturing techniques and eliminates the need in many systems and circuits for large off chip inductors. A sense and measurement coil, which is fabricated on the same substrate as the inductor, provides the capability to measure the magnetic field or flux produced by the inductor. This on chip measurement capability supplies information that permits circuit engineers to design and fabricate on chip inductors to very tight tolerances.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head having a means for cutting a wafer into bars, each bar having a plurality of thin-film magnetic head sliders which are sequentially coupled with each other, a means for identifying the bar to be worked to generate an identification signal which indicates identity of said bar, a means for obtaining data of said bar in a unit of bar depending upon said identification signal, and a means for processing at least one working of said bar on the basis of said obtained data of said bar.

Abstract: A disk drive recording device comprises at least two platters for storing magnetic recording data and a spindle motor rotating at high speed for mounting the platters. The disk drive is assembled by using pushing devices to push the platters toward the center of the spindle motor in respective directions to bring a portion of an inside circumference of a concentric center hole of each of the platters in contact with an outer circumference of the spindle motor so that the center of gravity of each platter coincides with a center axis of the spindle motor.

Abstract: A lapping sensor used in fabrication of a magnetic head with an MR element includes a resistor film with a resistance that varies depending upon a lapping amount, and a pair of connection pads formed on a element-forming surface of the magnetic head and electrically connected to both end sections of the resistor film. The pair of connection pads consist of a first connection pad and a second connection pad located nearer to a lapping surface than the first connection pad. One edge of the first connection pad is faced to one edge of the second connection pad and inclined toward the lapping surface.

Abstract: A method makes a magnetic head having a top and a bottom, front and rear ends and an air bearing surface (ABS) at the front end, comprising the steps of forming first and second pole piece layers with the first and second pole piece layers separated by a write gap layer at the ABS and connected at a back gap that is recessed rearwardly in the head from the ABS; forming a zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer of baked photoresist that is sandwiched between the first and second pole piece layers with the ZTH defining layer having a rounded front edge where the first and second pole piece layers first separate from one another after the ABS to define the ZTH; and forming an insulation stack with a coil layer embedded therein between the first and second pole piece layers with the insulation stack placed so that the ZTH defining layer is located entirely between the ABS and the coil layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided for manufacturing thin film magnetic heads through the use of a thin-film magnetic head material, the head material including: a plurality of rows of head-to-be sections to be thin-film magnetic heads; an inter-row cutting section provided to be a position at which adjacent ones of the rows are to be separated; and an intra-row cutting section provided to be a position at which adjacent ones of the head-to-be sections in each of the rows are to be separated.

Abstract: A process of forming a combination-type thin film magnetic head on a wafer is disclosed wherein plural polished amount-monitoring elements are formed at the same time as formation of the members which constitute the inductive-type thin film magnetic head. The plural polished amount-monitoring elements each have a different distance from the inside edge opposite to he air bearing surface of the joined surface between a pair of electrode members to the standard position of the zero-throat height. After the magneto-resistive-effective-type thin film magnetic head is formed, the wafer is cut into plural bars, each having plural arranged combination type thin film magnetic head units.

Abstract: In a magnetoresistive head, a marking layer is formed on at least one of the upper side of an upper shielding layer and the lower side of a lower shielding layer so as to be opposed to a magnetoresistive sensor layer. The leading ends of the magnetoresistive sensor layer and the marking layer are exposed at a medium-sliding surface on which a recording medium slides, and the leading end of the marking layer is shaped so that the length thereof in the widthwise direction is equal to the length from the leading end to the rear end of the magnetoresistive sensor layer. The center in the widthwise direction of the marking layer is placed on a straight line which intersects the magnetoresistive sensor layer via the center in the widthwise direction of the magnetoresistive sensor layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic head manufacturing method for accurately measuring resistance value whereby magnetic heads are processed while measuring the resistance values of process monitoring element. After forming on a wafer magnetic head elements and monitoring element, in which resistance values change in analog fashion in line with processing, these elements are cut from the wafer. Next, the magnetic heads are processed to a prescribed height while measuring the resistance values of the monitoring element. In the forming process, the difference &Dgr;I between the positions of the magnetic head elements and monitoring element is measured in advance, and this difference &Dgr;I is used to convert the resistance values of the monitoring element to the height of the magnetic head elements. This makes it possible to correct errors in masks. Furthermore, patterns can be formed accurately by setting the position of the monitoring element to the same position as the magnetoresistive film of the magnetic heads.

Abstract: With negative pressure sliders having step bearings, there are variations in flying height resulting from variations in shape factors, such as the step bearing depth. In order to achieve lower flying height, it is considered necessary to reduce the variation in flying height caused by the variation in curvature of the air bearing surface and the variation in flying height caused by the variation in the shapes of the step bearings. The curvature of the air bearing surface of the slider can be observed in the pre-cut row bar condition or in a unit product condition. Shape data of the magnetic head slider can be input, such as the step bearing depth, etc., so as to calculate the predicted flying height of the slider An arithmetic processing unit calculates an adjusted target curvature from the difference between the predicted flying height and the target flying height.

Abstract: A method and system for lapping a magnetic transducer using an electrical lapping guide is presented. This includes rough lapping the transducer based on a first signal and fine lapping the transducer based on a second signal from a dummy transducer. The dummy transducer can have electrical properties substantially similar to electrical properties of the magnetic transducer. The first signal can include a stripe height calculated as a function of a reference resistor element and an analog resistor element. The second signal can include lap to reader resistance from the dummy transducer and a stripe height calculated from a reference resistor element and an analog resistor element. The dummy transducer can also provide process noise monitoring capability during lapping.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the curvature of an air bearing surface (ABS) of a slider having a back surface opposite the ABS. The method includes steps of repeatedly measuring the curvature of the ABS and scribing lines (e.g. with a laser scribing tool) on the back surface to partially adjust the curvature of the ABS. In each measuring/scribing installment, the curvature of the ABS is measured and compared with a final target curvature to determine a curvature difference between the measured curvature and final target curvature. Each installment of scribing lines corrects for a predetermined percentage of the curvature difference. The predetermined percentage may be different in succeeding installments. Alternatively, each installment changes the curvature of the slider to match an intermediate target curvature. In a three-installment process, for example, there will be two intermediate target curvatures and a final target curvature.

Abstract: In a method of efficiently and promptly mass-producing a combination type thin film magnetic head having accurately defined short throat height, apex angle, and MR height or the like and capable of reducing the saturation and leakage of magnetic flux even if a magnetic pole portion is miniaturized, a recessed portion is formed in a surface of a substrate, while a first magnetic layer constituting a lower shield for the GMR element is used as a mask. A second magnetic layer is formed along an inner wall of the recessed portion. A thin film coil is formed thereon in an isolated state, and a surface is flattened to constitute a common unit for manufacturing combination type thin film magnetic heads. A number of common units are manufactured and stocked without any relationship to users' specifications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductor comprising a plurality of interconnected conductive segments interwoven with a substrate. The inductance of the inductor is increased through the use of coatings and films of ferromagnetic materials such as magnetic metals, alloys, and oxides. The inductor is compatible with integrated circuit manufacturing techniques and eliminates the need in many systems and circuits for large off chip inductors. A sense and measurement coil, which is fabricated on the same substrate as the inductor, provides the capability to measure the magnetic field or flux produced by the inductor. This on chip measurement capability supplies information that permits circuit engineers to design and fabricate on chip inductors to very tight tolerances.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor, and a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor formed employing the method. To practice the method, there is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer, where the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer has a concavity at an edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite an air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer. There is then formed covering the edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite the air bearing surface edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer and separated by the concavity a pair of patterned conductor lead layers, where neither patterned conductor lead layer within the pair of patterned conductor lead layers reaches a plane defined by the air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer.

Abstract: Problems aligning a slider with a dimple in manufacture of head gimbal assemblies for disk drive suspensions are obviated by defining a series of optically readable indicia on or about the dimple that serve as a reference for positioning apparatus rather than the dimple.