Abstract: Systems and methods relating generally to sensing information, and more particularly to systems and methods for utilizing multiple readers to sense information.

Abstract: In a Spin Torque Oscillator (STO) comprising an underlayer, a first magnetic layer disposed on the underlayer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer disposed on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer disposed on the non-magnetic intermediate layer, the non-magnetic intermediate layer is a non-magnetic alloy containing 50 at % or more of at least one kind of element selected from a first group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au, and further at least 0.1 at % or more in total of at least one kind of element selected from a second group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Cr, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Ru, Os, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ir that does not overlap with the element from the first group.

Abstract: A writer assembly having two separately driven write coils allows a combined write field generated by the writer assembly to be fine turned and optimized for a particular application. Two preamplifiers may be incorporated into a printed circuit board in order to separately drive the write coils. In other implementations, there may be more than two write coils and corresponding preamplifiers.

Abstract: A spectral simulation method during a noise testing for a magnetic head, includes steps of (a1) detecting several first noise profiles for several magnetic head samples under a first frequency bandwidth range by a dynamic testing machine; (b1) separating each first noise profile into at least two noise curves including a first noise curve and a second noise curve at a predetermined frequency bandwidth, wherein the first noise curve has a frequency bandwidth range lower than that of the second noise curve; (c1) fitting several mathematical equations according to the second noise curves; and (d1) establishing a correlative equation among the mathematical equations, so as to simulate the second noise curve for each magnetic head. The present invention can simulate a second noise curve of the noise profile in a higher frequency bandwidth and establishing the correlative equation according to the second noise curve.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a magnetic layer including a FePt alloy having a L10 type structure, and a plurality of underlayers arranged between the substrate and the magnetic layer, wherein at least one of the plurality of underlayers includes TiO2.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading data from a magnetic medium are provided. A system for reading data from a magnetic medium includes an electromagnetic head array, where the electromagnetic head array includes a plurality of read sensors. Each read sensor of the plurality of read sensors is configured to sense a magnetic field of the magnetic medium and to generate a signal based on the magnetic field. Circuitry is configured to combine the signals of the plurality of read sensors to generate a resulting signal. The resulting signal defines an effective read width of the electromagnetic head array, where the effective read width is narrower than a read width of any of the plurality of read sensors.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a nonmagnetic substrate, an underlayer provided above the nonmagnetic substrate, and a perpendicular recording layer provided above the underlayer. The perpendicular recording layer includes a first magnetic layer including Co and Pt and having a granular structure, and a second magnetic layer having magnetic and ferroelectric properties.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a MAMR head includes a main magnetic pole, a STO positioned near the main magnetic pole, the STO including a first perpendicular magnetic layer positioned above the main magnetic pole, wherein the first perpendicular magnetic layer is a first spin polarization layer having an axis of magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, a first non-magnetic transmission layer positioned above the first perpendicular magnetic layer, a magnetic layer effectively having a plane of easy magnetization in the film surface positioned above the first non-magnetic transmission layer, the magnetic layer being a FGL, a second non-magnetic transmission layer positioned above the magnetic layer, and a second perpendicular magnetic layer positioned above the second non-magnetic transmission layer, wherein the second perpendicular magnetic layer is a second spin polarization layer having magnetic anisotropy in the direction perpendicular to the film plane.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a structure in magnetic recording head is described. First and second hard mask layers are provided on the layer(s) for the structure. A BARC layer and photoresist mask having a pattern are provided on the second hard mask layer. The pattern includes a line corresponding to the structure. The pattern is transferred to the BARC layer and the second hard mask layer in a single etch using an etch chemistry. At least the second hard mask layer is trimmed using substantially the same first etch chemistry. A mask including a hard mask line corresponding to the line and less than thirty nanometers wide is thus formed. The pattern of the second hard mask is transferred to the first hard mask layer. The pattern of the first hard mask layer is transferred to the layer(s) such that the structure has substantially the width.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a magnetically soft underlayer (SUL); an interlayer stack overlying the SUL, wherein the interlayer stack comprises a seed layer of an fcc material; and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer overlying the interlayer stack, wherein a thickness of the SUL in combination with a distance of the SUL from the perpendicular recording layer is sufficient to orient a total magnetic field corresponding to a magnetic transducer head at an angle of about 45°.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a perpendicular pole head for creating a perpendicular magnetic moment in a concentrated pattern for writing the pattern on perpendicular magnetic media, such as BaFe based media. The pole head can have flux concentrators in the shape of the written pattern, which can be repeatedly applied to a moving magnetic medium to create a timing pattern on the media, e.g., a servo timing pattern.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media stack and methods for fabricating the same. The PMR media stack has a novel grain isolation initiation layer (GIIL) and/or a novel exchange-break layer (EBL) that can improve the signal-to-noise performance of the PMR media stack. The PMR media stack includes a substrate, a soft underlayer on the substrate, an interlayer positioned on the soft underlayer, and a grain isolation initiation layer (GIIL) positioned on the interlayer, a magnetic layer positioned on the GIIL, and an exchange break layer (EBL) positioned on the magnetic layer. The GIIL and/or EBL includes a CoCrRu-oxide.

Abstract: A high frequency, AC-modulated heater current is applied to a heater of a magnetic head. A resistance change of a temperature sensor located at a region of proximity to a magnetic media is determined. The resistance change occurs in response to the heater current. At least one of a spacing and contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic media is determined based on a frequency-domain signature of the resistance change.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a high-frequency magnetic field-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head includes: a yoke adapted for facilitating magnetic flux through the MAMR head; a main pole magnetically coupled to the yoke and adapted for producing a writing magnetic field; a return pole spaced from the main pole; a spin torque oscillator (STO) positioned above the main pole; and a back gap layer positioned between the yoke and the return pole, where at least one of the yoke, the main pole, the return pole, and the back gap layer comprises a highly resistive magnetic material.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic recording medium including a magnetic layer. The magnetic layer has a servo signal recorded thereon by magnetizing a part of the magnetic layer in a first direction. The first direction contains a component of a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to a top surface of the magnetic layer. The magnetic layer is pre-magnetized in a second direction before recording of the servo signal. The second direction contains the component of the perpendicular direction. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A method and system provide a touchdown sensor for use in disk drive. The touchdown sensor includes a sensor layer including a plurality of magnetic layers interleaved with at least one nonmagnetic layer. The plurality of magnetic layers are magnetically coupled and single domain. Further, the sensor has a temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of at least 0.15%/° C.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a trailing shield positioned on a trailing side of the main magnetic pole, a trailing gap positioned between the trailing shield and the main magnetic pole, side shields positioned on either side of the main magnetic pole in a cross-track direction, side gaps positioned between the side shields and the main magnetic pole on either side of the main magnetic pole in the cross-track direction, and trailing shield gaps positioned on either side of the main magnetic pole in the cross-track direction between the trailing shield and the side shields, wherein the trailing shield gaps extend beyond the side gaps in a direction parallel to the cross-track direction. In addition, a method for producing a magnetic head as described above is also disclosed, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic recording medium which includes a base, a magnetic recording layer having convex-shaped magnetic layers, which is formed on the base, and a protective film formed on the magnetic recording layer. There are gaps in a region surrounded by the protective film, the surface of the base, and each side wall of each magnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic storage medium includes a plurality of recording layers and a first non-magnetic layer. The plurality of recording layers each includes at least one first magnetic layer and at least one second magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is made of a first magnetic material which has a first effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Data is stored in first magnetic layer in accordance with a direction of magnetization. The second magnetic layer is made of a second magnetic material having a second effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy smaller than the first effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. First magnetization of the first magnetic layer and second magnetization of the second magnetic layer are in magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet according to the present invention includes a base including a metal layer, a first plastic film layer A, and a second plastic film layer B and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a surface of the second plastic film B. The metal layer is positioned between the first plastic film layer A and the second plastic film layer B. The metal layer has a thickness of 2 ?m to 15 ?m. A total of a thickness Ta of the first plastic film layer A and a thickness Tb of the second plastic film layer B is within a range of 25 ?m to 70 ?m.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a magnetic recording head substrate. The method includes utilizing a metal feature on the magnetic recording head substrate as a grounding path. The magnetic recording head substrate is submerged in a solution containing ions of a second material, and the ions of the second material are electrodeposited on the magnetic recording head substrate.

Abstract: In an example, a method of manufacturing a transducer head comprises configuring a control circuit to actively synchronize magnetic responses of a shield and a write pole during operation. The method also comprises configuring the control circuit to energize at least one coil wire during operation with a current direction opposite to current flow in a main transducer head coil. In another example, a method comprises actively synchronizing magnetic responses of a shield and a write pole. In another example, a transducer head comprises a write pole and a shield, and a control circuit actively synchronizes magnetic responses of the shield and the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic element capable of reading data may generally be configured at least with a magnetic seed lamination disposed between a data reader stack and a magnetic shield. The magnetic seed lamination may be constructed at least with one magnetic layer coupled to the bottom shield and at least one non-magnetic layer decoupling the data reader stack from the at least one magnetic layer.

Abstract: There is provided a base assembly including a base member formed of a metal plate to be molded by plastic working and including a coupling part formed at an edge thereof, and a strength reinforcing member formed of metal and coupled to the coupling part, wherein the strength reinforcing member has a thickness greater than that of the base member to prevent deformation of the base member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, includes at least: forming an orientation control layer 3 that controls orientation of an immediately above layer thereof on a non-magnetic substrate 1; and forming a perpendicular magnetic layer 4 in which an easy axis of magnetization is mainly perpendicularly orientated to the non-magnetic substrate 1, in which the forming of the orientation control layer 3 includes forming a granular layer having a granular structure that includes Ru or a material in which Ru is a main component and an oxide having a melting point which is greater than or equal to 450° C. and less than or equal to 1000° C., by a sputtering method, and the forming of the perpendicular magnetic layer 4 includes growing crystal grains to form columnar crystals that are continuous in a thickness direction together with crystal grains that form the orientation control layer 3.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole configured to produce a magnetic writing field applied to a magnetic medium at an overall angle with respect to a magnetic anisotropy axis which is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane of a surface of the magnetic medium, and at least one current carrying element positioned near a media facing surface of the main pole configured to produce an assisting magnetic field applied in a cross-track direction parallel to the plane of the surface of the magnetic medium. In another embodiment, a method includes applying a writing magnetic field to write data to a magnetic medium and applying an assisting magnetic field to the magnetic medium for assisting the writing magnetic field, the assisting magnetic field being applied in a cross-track direction of the magnetic medium and parallel to a plane of a surface of the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A production method of a base plate for a disk drive made by aluminum die casting which can reduce scattering of particles and minimizes particle contamination is provided. The production method of a base plate for a disk drive includes a forming step for forming a base member by aluminum die casting, a coating step for coating the base member with a resin film, a machining step for removing a part of the resin film and a surface layer of the base member in order to expose the aluminum surface, a pretreatment step for immersing the base member with the exposed aluminum surface in a pretreatment solution containing no fluoride, and a metal film forming step for coating the exposed aluminum surface with a metal film.

Abstract: An example provides a system and method for decreasing a data transfer rate of a linear tape drive. The method includes detecting, within a linear tape drive, a first data transfer rate of a host computing system to determine whether the first data transfer rate is slower than a second data transfer rate of a magnetic tape head within the linear tape drive. The method also includes, in response to determining that the first data transfer rate is slower than the second data transfer rate, deactivating a specified number of data write elements within the magnetic tape head, wherein deactivating the specified number of the data write elements includes decreasing the second transfer rate.

Abstract: A thermally actuated head for magnetic head for magnetic data recording having a contact sensor for detecting contact between the head and a magnetic disk. The contact sensor includes a thermal sensor film and first and second leads, wherein the leads extend at least as far from the ABS as the thermal sensor film. More preferably the leads extend slightly further from the ABS than the sensor film so that contact between the magnetic disk and the contact sensor occurs at the leads rather than at the sensor film. The sensor film can be constructed of NiFe, preferably having 30-70 atomic percent Ni or more preferably 40-60 atomic percent Ni or most preferably 40-50 atomic percent Ni. The leads are preferably constructed of one or more of Ru, Rh or Ta or an alloy whose primary constituents are Ru, Rh or Ta.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole having a leading side and a trailing side relative to a downtrack direction, a side gap layer positioned adjacent to the main pole in a crosstrack direction, and a side shield layer positioned adjacent the side gap layer in a crosstrack direction. The downtrack direction is in a direction of medium travel relative to the main pole, the crosstrack direction is perpendicular to the downtrack direction, the side gap layer is characterized by having a groove therein in the downtrack direction having the main pole positioned therein, the side shield is characterized by having a groove formed therein in the downtrack direction having the side gap layer positioned therein, the side gap is non-conformal in shape, and a position of the side shield relative to a position of the main pole is characterized as being self-aligned.

Abstract: A digital Storage Element is described. A device is configured including a Storage Element for access by a user responsive to a native control code. A processing arrangement executes a control program for controlling the overall device and executing at least a portion of the native control code as part of the control program for interfacing with the Storage Element. A programming arrangement is provided separate from the device for customizing a read channel within the Storage Element. Command, user interaction and data transfer execution are discussed for mitigation of potential mechanical shock effects. Status indications relating to the Storage Element are provided including head position and mechanical shock. Calibration, test and operational monitoring procedures, for using head position status, are described. Failure configuration monitoring is provided in tracking overall performance and design considerations.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a multi-reader can be manufactured so as to be able to read from multiple regions of a storage device contemporaneously during operation.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a nonmagnetic gap layer in a trench; a pole seed layer above the nonmagnetic gap layer; and a pole layer of a magnetic material above the pole seed layer, wherein at least one of the nonmagnetic gap layer, the pole seed layer and the pole layer has nitrogen therein. A magnetic head according to another embodiment includes a nonmagnetic gap layer in a trench; a pole seed layer above the nonmagnetic gap layer, the pole seed layer being comprised primarily of a material selected from a group consisting of NiCr, Ta/Ru, Ta/Rh, NiCr/Ru, NiCr/Rh, NiCr, CoOx, Ru, Rh, Cu, Au/MgO, Ta/Cu; and a pole layer comprised primarily of CoFe above the pole seed layer, wherein at least one of the nonmagnetic gap layer, the pole seed layer and the pole layer has nitrogen therein.

Abstract: In one embodiment a magnetic head includes a sensor thin film adapted for producing a planar Hall voltage, the sensor thin film having a thickness along a down-track direction that is greater than a thickness along a cross-track direction. The down-track direction is in a direction of travel of a magnetic medium relative to the sensor thin film, and the cross-track direction is perpendicular to the down-track direction. In another embodiment, at least one magnetic head as described above is included in a magnetic data storage system, which includes a magnetic medium, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic medium over the at least one magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head. Other heads and systems are described according to various other embodiments.

Abstract: Various methods for attaching a crystalline write pole onto an amorphous substrate and the resulting structures are described in detail herein. Further, the resulting structure may have a magnetic moment exceeding 2.4 Tesla. Still further, methods for depositing an epitaxial crystalline write pole on a crystalline seed or template material to ensure that the phase of the write pole is consistent with the high moment phase of the template material are also described in detail herein.

Abstract: A data writer may be generally configured at least with a write pole that has a pole sidewall and a continuous first taper angle connecting leading and trailing edges. The write pole can be positioned adjacent to a side shield that is configured with first and second shield sidewalls tapered to a shield tip that is the closest point between the write pole and side shield.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a nonmagnetic interlayer formed on a nonmagnetic substrate, an antiferromagnetic layer having a thickness of 2 to 30 nm, a first nonmagnetic underlayer having a thickness of 0.2 to 5 nm, a first bit patterned ferromagnetic layer, a first bit patterned nonmagnetic layer, and a second bit patterned ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a thin magnetic film having a negative anisotropy of ?6×106 erg/cm3 or less and including, on at least a nonmagnetic substrate, at least one seed layer made of a metal or metal compound, a ruthenium underlayer for controlling the orientation of an immediately overlying layer, and a magnetic layer having negative anisotropy in the normal line direction perpendicular to a surface of the magnetic layer and mainly containing Co and Ir, wherein the additive element concentration of Ir in the magnetic layer is 10 (inclusive) to 45 (inclusive) at %.

Abstract: Apparatus for recording data and method for making the same. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic recording layer is adapted to store data along perpendicular magnetic domains. A protective overcoat layer is formed on the magnetic recording layer to substantially protect the magnetic recording layer from environmental effects. The protective overcoat layer is made of carbon intermixed with at least one transition metal, such as but not limited to chromium.

Abstract: A system and method for reading magnetic tape are provided herein. The system includes a tape head including two read arrays. Each of the two read arrays includes a first set of data read elements of a first channel pitch and a second set of data read elements of a second channel pitch, and the first set of data read elements and the second set of data read elements are interleaved. The tape head also includes a write array located between the two read arrays.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to magnetic tape heads are provided. A first process forms a first read module on a substrate in accordance with a prior generation recording format. A second process, different than the first, forms a second read module on a substrate in accordance with a present generation recording format. The first and second read modules are directly bonded in parallel such that a single continuous tape reading zone is defined. Write modules can be formed and disposed on opposite sides of and aligned with the tape reading zone. Bidirectional read/write heads, having backward reading compatibility, can be made and used accordingly.

Abstract: A nanocomposite article that includes a single-crystal or single-crystal-like substrate and heteroepitaxial, phase-separated layer supported by a surface of the substrate and a method of making the same are described. The heteroepitaxial layer can include a continuous, non-magnetic, crystalline, matrix phase, and an ordered, magnetic magnetic phase disposed within the matrix phase. The ordered magnetic phase can include a plurality of self-assembled crystalline nanostructures of a magnetic material. The phase-separated layer and the single crystal substrate can be separated by a buffer layer. An electronic storage device that includes a read-write head and a nanocomposite article with a data storage density of 0.75 Tb/in2 is also described.

Abstract: A device according to one embodiment includes a substrate; and a plurality of thin films above the substrate, the thin films having at least one dielectric layer; wherein the at least one dielectric layer has a more crystalline structure towards a first end thereof than towards an end thereof opposite the first end. A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a substrate; and a plurality of thin films above the substrate, the thin films having at least one transducer formed therein and at least one dielectric layer; wherein the at least one dielectric layer has a more crystalline structure towards a media facing end thereof than towards an end thereof opposite the media facing end.

Abstract: A glass substrate for a magnetic disk, wherein, in regions with respect to two places arbitrarily selected on a surface of the glass substrate on its central portion side relative to its outer peripheral end, a surface shape with a shape wavelength in a band of 60 to 500 ?m is extracted from surface shapes in each of the regions and, assuming that a root mean square roughness Rq of the surface shape is given as a microwaviness Rq, the difference between the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.02 nm or less or the difference between standard deviations of the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.04 nm or less.

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic recording write head having a spin torque oscillator capable of producing high strength high frequency magnetic oscillations with reduced applied current. The spin torque oscillator uses a magnetic field generation layer with a high moment material including such as Fe and Co that is formed on an interlayer having a face centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure, that functions as an under-layer. The high moment magnetic field generation layer has also reduced magnetic damping.

Abstract: A token value is maintained based on an allowable number of low power transitions of a hard disk drive without adversely affecting reliability, compared to an actual number of low power transitions of said hard disk drive. The allowable number of low power transitions increases over the hard disk drive's lifetime. Before the hard disk drive performs a low power transition, the token is evaluated to determine if the hard disk drive is allowed to perform a low power transition. Low power transitions discussed include parking the head and spinning-down the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and generally associated method may be directed to a magnetic reader capable of concurrently or independently data access and environmental measurements. Various embodiments construct such a magnetic reader with first and second data transducing elements that are each adapted to selectively read data and measure clearance from an adjacent data storage media.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic recording medium which maintains high vertical orientation of a vertical magnetic layer, and which is capable of realizing high recording densification. In the magnetic recording medium, at least a soft magnetic underlying layer (30), seed layers (31, 32), an orientation control layer (33), and a vertical magnetic layer are laminated in this order on the non-magnetic substrate. The soft magnetic underlying layer (30) has an amorphous or microcrystalline structure. The seed layers (31, 32) include a first seed layer (31) formed from a metal oxide or a metal nitride, and a second seed layer (32) which is formed on the first seed layer and is formed from a metal formed with an island-shape or a net shape. In the orientation control layer (33) and the vertical magnetic layer, respective crystal grains constitute columnar crystals that are continuous in a thickness direction based on the second seed layer (32).

Abstract: A magnetic storage and retrieval system and a manufacturing technique thereof are disclosed herein. A chemical reaction is triggered upon a surface of each metallic layer of a plurality of metallic layers disposed on a substrate. It is also determined whether a metallic material of the surface has transformed to a new metallic material that is more chemically resistant than the metallic material.