Abstract: A method and system for providing energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) heads are described. The heads include sliders having leading and trailing edges. An EAMR transducer for each head is fabricated on a front face of a substrate that corresponds to the trailing edge of the slider. An overcoat layer that includes transducer and laser contact(s) is provided on the transducer. A laser for providing light to the transducer is provided on each slider. The laser is electrically coupled to the laser contact(s) and electrically insulated from at least part of the transducer contacts. The laser is enclosed in a capping layer, which has a laser-facing surface including a laser cavity, via(s), a trailing surface, and pads on the trailing surface. The laser cavity encloses the laser between the overcoat and capping layers. The via(s) provide electrical connection to the transducer contacts. The substrate is separated into the heads.

Abstract: A magnetically-activatable sheet product is provided comprising a pair of laminated outer sheets at least one of which is provided with a pigment/binder primer coat on its inward facing surface, between which is a magnetic layer comprising magnetically-activatable particles in a binder matrix, the outer sheets having sufficient opacity to mask the appearance of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium that is excellent in terms of electromagnetic conversion characteristics and can achieve the demand for the recording density growth, and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus provided with the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium has at least a backing layer, an underlayer, an intermediate layer, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer sequentially laminated on a non-magnetic substrate, in which the backing layer includes at least a soft magnetic film having an amorphous structure; the underlayer includes a first underlayer and a second underlayer laminated from the non-magnetic substrate side; the first underlayer is an fcc-structured alloy layer including an fcc-structured element and a bcc-structured element, the second underlayer includes a NiW alloy; and the intermediate layer includes Ru or a Ru alloy.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer. The magnetic recording layer includes a first magnetic layer formed as a pattern portion that is a data portion in a servo region, a second magnetic layer formed as a non-pattern portion that is magnetized to be antiparallel with a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer and of which coercive force is lower than a coercive force of the first magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically separated magnetic recording pattern formed therein, without oxidizing or halogenating a surface of a magnetic layer, and also without contaminating the surface with dust and without complicating a production process, the method of producing a magnetic recording medium characterized by including, in this order: a step of forming a magnetic layer (2) on top of a non-magnetic substrate (1); a step of forming a mask layer (3) for forming a magnetic recording pattern on top of the magnetic layer (2); and a step of irradiating an ion beam (10) onto regions in the magnetic layer (2) which are not covered by the mask layer (3), removing an upper layer portion of the magnetic layer (2) at that regions (7), and reforming magnetic properties of a lower layer portion (8), wherein two or more types of positive ions having different masses are used for the ion beam (10), and an ion gun for forming the ion beam has a positive electrod

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for servo data based harmonics calculation. For example, a circuit for determining harmonics is disclosed that includes an analog to digital conversion circuit that provides a series of digital samples corresponding to a pattern within a servo data region of a storage medium, and a harmonic calculation circuit. The harmonic calculation circuit is operable to calculate a first harmonic value for the series of digital samples, calculate a second harmonic value for the series of digital samples, and calculate a ratio of the first harmonic value to the second harmonic value.

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 method for forming a magnetic write head using a damascene process that does not form voids in the magnetic structure. An opening is formed in an alumina layer, the opening being configured to define a trench. Then a first layer of magnetic material is deposited into the trench. A CMP process is then performed to remove any voids that have formed in the first magnetic layer. Then a second layer of magnetic material is deposited over the first layer of magnetic material. In another embodiment of the invention, a opening is formed in the alumina layer, and a first layer of magnetic material is electroplated into the opening. A thin layer of non-magnetic material is then deposited, and a second layer of magnetic material is deposited over the thin layer of non-magnetic material. The thin layer of alumina advantageously provides a laminate structure that avoids data erasure.

Abstract: A contact pad includes a first layer of material with a first yield strength and a second layer of material with a second yield strength is laminated to the first layer. A third yield strength of the laminated composite of the first layer and the second layer exceeds the first yield strength and the second yield strength due to the Hall-Petch phenomenon. An overcoat covers an edge of the first layer and the second layer of the contact pad to prevent wear. A method of creating the contact pad or other microelectronic structure includes depositing a first layer of material with a first yield strength on a substrate. A second layer of material with a second yield strength is deposited on the first layer. An edge of the first layer and the second layer is coated with an overcoat material to prevent wear of the first and second layers.

Abstract: The conventional free layer in a CPP GMR or TMR read head has been replaced by a tri-layer laminate comprising Co rich CoFe, moderately Fe rich NiFe, and heavily Fe rich NiFe. The result is an improved device that has a higher MR ratio than prior art devices, while still maintaining free layer softness and acceptable magnetostriction. A process for manufacturing the device is described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic granular layer, and a recording layer provided on the non-magnetic granular layer, wherein the recording layer includes a first granular magnetic layer provided on the non-magnetic granular layer, and a second granular magnetic layer provided on the first granular magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic material magnetically separating metal grains of the non-magnetic granular layer is different from a non-magnetic material magnetically separating magnetic grains of the first granular magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductive coil for carrying a current to induce a first field from the write element. A conductor proximate the write element tip carries the current to generate a second field that augments the first field. A driver provides the current to the conductive coil and the conductor, and a circuit phase shifts the current through the conductor relative to the current through the conductive coil.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole generating a recording magnetic field in a magnetic recording medium, a return yoke paired with the main magnetic pole, and a spin torque oscillator interposed between the main magnetic pole and the return yoke and including a spin injection layer, an oscillation layer, a nonmagnetic metal layer, and spin assist layer stacked in this order, wherein the nonmagnetic metal layer includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Pd, Pt, Os, and Ir, and the spin assist layer is a soft magnetic layer whose saturation magnetic flux density (Bs), diamagnetic field coefficient (N) and gap magnetic field (Hg) show a relationship expressed by Bs×N>Hg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems and apparatus for testing electronic components, and more specifically for testing magnetoresistive heads. A pair of top shield pads and a pair of bottom shield pads may be formed in a kerf region of a wafer on which magnetoresistive heads are formed. The top shield pads, bottom shield pads, and a magnetoresistive head may form a circuit that may be coupled with a testing circuit to exchange test signals configured to test the magnetic head. The pair of bottom shield pads may provide balanced impedance to substrate that nullifies the effects of broadband noise.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a parameter management table, a parameter adjustment module and an interpolation module. The parameter management table stores a parameter used to write or read data to or from a disk in the parameter management table in association with each of a plurality of predetermined temperature divisions. The parameter adjustment module adjusts a first parameter stored in the parameter management table in association with a first temperature division to a second parameter adapted for the first temperature division if an ambient temperature detected by a temperature detector corresponds to the first temperature division and if the first parameter is unadjusted. The interpolation module updates an unadjusted third parameter corresponding to a third temperature division between the first temperature division and a second temperature division for which the parameter is adjusted based on a result of the adjustment of the first parameter.

Abstract: This magnetic recording device is provided with a magnetic write head having a magnetic pole, and a magnetic recording medium having a plurality of data recording blocks. Each of the data recording blocks is formed with a plurality of write tracks and separated, in a write track width direction, from neighboring one of the data recording blocks with a writing exudation suppression section in between. With this configuration, a magnetic mutual interference of the adjacent data recording blocks at the time of a data rewriting process is avoided even when a mutual interval of the data recording blocks is narrowed, and a good recording state is maintained in each of the data recording blocks. Therefore, it is possible to achieve an improvement in a recording density, while realizing the good and brief data rewriting process for each of the data recording blocks.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes a magnetic disk that includes a plurality of zones in which a plurality of tracks are arranged for each of circumferences of a spiral, and gaps that are arranged between the zones to have a width a predetermined number of times larger than a track width and that are regions without providing recording bits; and a reproducing element that simultaneously makes an access to the recording bits contained in the tracks, reading information stored in the recording bits, wherein the number of the tracks is one or larger and a sum of one and the predetermined number or smaller in one of the zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the magnetic layer has a thickness ? ranging from 10 to 80 nm, a product, Mr?, of a residual magnetization Mr of the magnetic layer and the thickness ? of the magnetic layer is equal to or greater than 1 mA but less than 5 mA, a ratio, Sdc/Sac, of an average area Sdc of magnetic clusters in a DC demagnetized state to an average area Sac of magnetic clusters in an AC demagnetized state as measured by a magnetic force microscope, MFM, ranges from 0.8 to 2.0.

Abstract: A testing method of a wafer provided with a plurality of thin-film magnetic heads is provided. Each of the plurality of thin-film magnetic heads includes a main pole layer, a first test pad formed on the wafer and electrically connected with an extended top end section of the main pole layer and a second test pad formed on the wafer and electrically connected with a back end section of the main pole layer. The testing method includes a step of measuring an electrical resistance between the first test pad and the second test pad, a step of judging whether the measured electrical resistance is within a set range, and a step of discriminating that the thin-film magnetic head is a non-defective product when the measured electrical resistance is within the set range.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, it is determined whether a STOAR element which performs microwave assistance for a magnetic disk apparatus is made to oscillate properly. When the STOAR element is oscillating when a current bias is applied, the resistance of the element increases. Therefore, in a head IC which outputs the current bias, a voltage applied to the STOAR element is sensed, and it is possible to determine that the STOAR element is oscillating when the voltage is increased to a threshold or more. Conversely, it is possible to determine that the STOAR element is not oscillating when the voltage is less than the threshold. In addition, it is possible to determine that oscillation has diminished, when the resistance decreases after the voltage reaches the threshold or more. Therefore, it is possible to make the STOAR element oscillate normally again, by boosting the STOAR element by a current.

Abstract: Planar magnetic heads and methods of making the same using a built-up approach and thru-hole via technology to achieve a true planar head. A head may comprise a substrate having conductive thru-hole vias extending therethrough, a first magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the substrate, a first insulation layer deposited and patterned on the first magnetic layer, a conductive coil layer deposited and patterned on the first insulation layer and connected to the conductive thru-hole vias, a second insulation layer deposited and patterned on the conductive coil layer, vias patterned into the insulation layer extending to the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer deposited in the vias, and a third magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the second insulation layer and second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer may be connected to the first magnetic layer through the second magnetic layer deposited in the vias of the insulation layers.

Abstract: Methods of formatting media using planar magnetic heads. A head may comprise a substrate having conductive thru-hole vias extending therethrough, a first magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the substrate, a first insulation layer deposited and patterned on the first magnetic layer, a conductive coil layer deposited and patterned on the first insulation layer and connected to the conductive thru-hole vias, a second insulation layer deposited and patterned on the conductive coil layer, vias patterned into the insulation layer extending to the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer deposited in the vias, and a third magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the second insulation layer and second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer may be connected to the first magnetic layer through the second magnetic layer deposited in the vias of the insulation layers.

Abstract: Magnetic media made using planar magnetic heads. A head may comprise a substrate having conductive thru-hole vias extending therethrough, a first magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the substrate, a first insulation layer deposited and patterned on the first magnetic layer, a conductive coil layer deposited and patterned on the first insulation layer and connected to the conductive thru-hole vias, a second insulation layer deposited and patterned on the conductive coil layer, vias patterned into the insulation layer extending to the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer deposited in the vias, and a third magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the second insulation layer and second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer may be connected to the first magnetic layer through the second magnetic layer deposited in the vias of the insulation layers.

Abstract: One general embodiment of the present invention is a magnetic read head including a magnetoresistive sensor where sense current flows in a stacking direction of the magnetoresistive sensor, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the layers of the head. The magnetoresistive sensor comprises a free layer having a magnetization direction that is affected by external magnetic fields and includes a Heusler alloy layer and a Co-based amorphous metal layer, a fixed layer which is stacked with the free layer and has a fixed magnetization direction, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer between the free layer and the fixed layer.

Abstract: A recording head includes a slider, and a recording element fixed to a side surface of the slider on the side of an outflow end and having a main magnetic pole and an auxiliary magnetic pole which generate a recording magnetic field. A spot light generating element includes a core having a reflecting surface that reflects a luminous flux introduced from one end side to the other end side in a direction different from the direction of introduction and a luminous flux condensing unit configured to generate a spot light by propagating the reflected luminous flux to the other end side while condensing the same, and a clad configured to confine the core in the interior thereof. The spot light generating element is fixed adjacently to the recording element in a state in which the other end side is faced toward a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A microwave oscillation element of the present invention includes a lamination main part in which an oscillating layer that is a magnetization free layer and that generates a high frequency electromagnetic field by an excitation of a spin wave, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, a polarizer layer, and a reference layer that is to be a base magnetic layer of a spin transfer due to application of current are layered in this order. The oscillating layer is made of CoIr, the polarizer layer is configured of CoCr or CoRu; and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer is configured of Cr or Ru. As a result, the efficiency of the spin injection is improved and the microwave oscillation element where the oscillation efficiency is excellent can be realized.

Abstract: A method of performing information storage comprises the steps of providing a medium comprising a plurality of concentric rings for storage of information. The medium is written to by a process comprising simultaneously writing and erasing elements in at least two adjacent rings, respectively a first ring and a second ring. Subsequent to simultaneously writing and erasing elements in at least the first and second rings, simultaneously writing and erasing elements in a third concentric ring, wherein the third ring is adjacent the second ring.

Abstract: A magnetic head disposed in a slider, that is arranged at an interval from a magnetic disk includes a sensor disposed in a position that is opposed to the magnetic disk, a heat conductive film that is positioned on an air bearing surface opposed to the magnetic disk, and that is formed so as to overlap the sensor, of which a height in a direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface is more than a height of the sensor, and that transfers a temperature change of the air bearing surface to the sensor, and a pair of lead films electrically connected to the sensor and not electrically connected to the heat conductive film.

Abstract: A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, a plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the substrate, a closure fixed onto the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements, a protection film laminated on a whole area of a TBS of the plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements and the closure, and many micro-grooves formed in a surface of the protection film.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer comprises a granular film type recording layer and a continuous film type recording layer. The granular film type recording layer comprises a first granular film type recording layer in which magnetic crystal grains in a film plane has an average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm, and a second granular film type recording layer including magnetic crystal grains having an in plane average crystal grain diameter larger than that of the magnetic crystal grains of the first granular film type recording layer.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head having microwave magnetic exciting function, includes a write magnetic field production unit for producing, in response to a write signal, a write magnetic field to be applied into a magnetic recording medium, a line conductor of a microwave radiator of a plane-structure type, formed independent from the write magnetic field production means, for radiating, by feeding there through a microwave excitation current, a microwave band resonance magnetic field with a frequency equal to or in a range near a ferromagnetic resonance frequency FR of the magnetic recording medium, and two conductors separated from the line conductor in a direction perpendicular to a track-width direction of the thin-film magnetic head and parallel to an ABS of the thin-film magnetic head. The microwave radiator is an inverted micro strip waveguide having the line conductor and a ground conductor constituted by the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium that is capable of realizing both high magnetic permeability and antiferromagnetic coupling for a soft magnetic underlayer. Namely, a magnetic recording medium including at least a non-magnetic substrate on which is laminated a soft magnetic underlayer formed by antiferromagnetic coupling of a plurality of soft magnetic layers, and a perpendicular magnetic layer for which the axis of easy magnetization is oriented mainly perpendicularly to the non-magnetic substrate, wherein the soft magnetic layers contain Fe as a first main component, Co as a second main component, and also contain Ta, the soft magnetic underlayer is antiferromagnetically coupled using the second peak or a subsequently appearing peak of the antiferromagnetic coupling force, which changes according to the thickness of a spacer layer sandwiched between the plurality of soft magnetic layers, and the magnetic permeability of the soft magnetic underlayer is not less than 1,000 H/m.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an intermediate layer, a third ferromagnetic layer, a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The intermediate layer is provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. The third ferromagnetic layer includes a CoIr alloy and is provided so that the first ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the third ferromagnetic layer and the intermediate layer. The first magnetic pole is provided so that the third ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the first magnetic pole and the first ferromagnetic layer. The second magnetic pole is provided so that the second ferromagnetic layer is sandwiched between the second magnetic pole and the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Methods and structures for electroplating shield structures for perpendicular thin film write poles having ultra thin non-magnetic top gaps on the order of a few nanometers are disclosed. Ultra thin, conductive seed layers serve a dual purpose as both plating seed layer and non-magnetic top gap for the write pole. Due to reduced current carrying capacity of ultra thin seed layers, an additional thick seed layer is also employed to aid delivering plating current to regions near the pole.

Abstract: A tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke is disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear tape drive head assembly includes a top portion having a plurality of write elements and no read elements at a first side and a plurality of read elements and no write elements at a second side opposite of the first side, and a bottom portion laterally offset from the top portion having a plurality of read elements and no write elements at the aforementioned first side and a plurality of write elements and no read elements at the aforementioned second side. The tape is recorded with all the data tracks within each logical band oriented in the same direction.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium may include a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective carbon overcoat, and a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms adjacent a surface of the protective carbon overcoat. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the monolayer comprises at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and a fluoro-organic molecule. In some embodiments, a surface of a read and recording head may also include a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms of a protective carbon overcoat.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a channel, a ferromagnetic body and first and second reference electrodes on the channel, a magnetic shield covering a part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body.

Abstract: The recording layer is made of both magnetic particles containing Co, Cr, and Pt and a nonmagnetic material containing Cr present among the magnetic particles. The recording element has an uneven Cr distribution such that the ratio of the number of Cr atoms that constitute the recording element to the total number of Co, Cr, and Pt atoms that constitute the recording element is less at the sidewall portion of the recording element than at the center portion of the recording element. The relationships given by Expressions (I) and (II) below are satisfied; Hnc<Hns??(I), and Hnc/Hcc<Hns/Hcs??(II) where Hns is the nucleation magnetic field of the sidewall portion of the recording element, Hnc is the nucleation magnetic field of the center portion of the recording element, Hcs is the coercive force of the sidewall portion, and Hcc is the coercive force of the center portion.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a reference layer having a first magnetization direction and a free layer assembly having an effective magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the first magnetization direction and substantially perpendicular to a plane of each layer of the free layer assembly. A spacer layer is between the reference layer and the free layer, and a signal enhancement layer is exchange coupled to the free layer assembly on a side opposite the spacer layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium including at least a soft under layer, an orientation control layer, a magnetic recording layer and a protective layer on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the orientation control layer is composed of three or more layers including a seed layer, a first intermediate layer and a second intermediate layer sequentially, formed in that order from the substrate side, the crystal grains that constitute the first intermediate layer are epitaxially grown on the crystal grains of the seed layer, the crystal grains that constitute the second intermediate layer are epitaxially grown on the crystal grains of the first intermediate layer, and the crystal grains that constitute the second intermediate layer are finer than the crystal grains that constitute the first intermediate layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a disk and a data read/write module. The disk has a disk substrate, tracks and non-recording areas. The tracks and the non-recording areas are formed on the disk substrate and arranged in the radial direction of the disk. The tracks are magnetic layers and have a recording area each. The non-recording areas are made of non-magnetic layers and arranged between the tracks. Thus, valid recording area and invalid recording areas are provided in each track, at a predetermined ratio. The data read/write module is configured to write data in or read data from the valid recording areas, but not in or from the invalid recording areas.

Abstract: A pole layer has an end located in a medium facing surface, the end having: a first side close to a substrate; a second side located opposite to the first side; a third side connecting an end of the first side to an end of the second side; and a fourth side connecting the other end of the first side to the other end of the second side. The second side defines a track width. The end of the pole layer located in the medium facing surface has a width that decreases toward the first side. The pole layer is disposed in a groove of a pole-layer-encasing layer made of a nonmagnetic insulating material, with a nonmagnetic conductive film provided between the encasing layer and the pole layer. The pole layer incorporates: a first layer located closer to the surface of the groove; and a second layer located farther from the surface of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium including at least a backing layer, an orientation control layer, a magnetic recording layer and a protective layer provided on top of a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the orientation control layer is composed of two or more layers including a seed layer and an intermediate layer, formed in that order from the substrate side, and the seed layer is formed of a material containing 5 to 25 atomic % of an element for which, in a phase diagram, the solid solution region with an element having a face-centered cubic structure is not more than 1 atomic %. Also provided is a magnetic recording/reproducing device that includes the magnetic recording medium and a magnetic head for recording and reproducing information on the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic head includes depositing a first film above a substrate, etching a pattern into the first film, depositing a second film on the etched portion of the first film, and depositing a third film above the first and second film to form a multilayer magnetic film, wherein the second film is embedded between the first and third film in a portion of the first film that is removed. In another embodiment, a differential magnetic read head includes a magnetic multilayer film comprising a stack of a first magnetic sensor film and a second magnetic sensor film which are not magnetically connected and a hard magnetic film provided on both sides in a track width direction of the magnetic multilayer film for controlling a magnetic domain of the magnetic multilayer film. The hard magnetic film is a laminated structure as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium having magnetically separated magnetic recording patterns, such a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus. The manufacturing method of the present invention includes: forming a continuous recording layer on a nonmagnetic substrate; then forming, on the recording layer, a mask layer including at least one element selected from the element group of Pt, Ru, and Pd in such a manner that part of the recording layer is not masked; and then performing a magnetic characteristic modifying process including exposing the unmasked part of the surface of the recording layer to reactive plasma or reactive ions produced in the reactive plasma to amorphize the part of the recording layer and to modify the magnetic characteristics of the part, so that magnetically separated magnetic recording patterns are formed.

Abstract: The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate and a recording layer formed in a predetermined concavo-convex pattern over the substrate, the recording layer including recording elements each formed as a convex portion of the recording layer. Surface steps are formed in an outer area including a radially outermost portion of a recording area. Each surface step is formed in such a manner that a portion over a concave portion between the recording elements is recessed toward the substrate to a level below a portion over the recording element. The surface steps are formed such that the recording area can be sectioned into an annular area adjoining the outer area and the outer area where height of the surface steps is larger than that in the annular area.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a magnetic head that has a spin-torque oscillator and a magnetic disk and the spin-torque oscillator detects a magnetic field from the magnetic disk and outputs a signal. A criterion used to determine the rotational speed of the magnetic disk, the frequency shift of the spin-torque oscillator produced by a magnetic field from the magnetic disk, a characteristic oscillation frequency of the spin-torque oscillator and the full-width at half maximum of an oscillation spectrum is given in order for a read signal output from the spin-torque oscillator to satisfy a desired signal-to-noise ratio and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is configured based on the criterion.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer with features in a discrete track configuration or a bit patterned configuration and an underlayer adjacent the magnetic layer, the underlayer comprising a material capable of forming surface plasmon resonance; and a magnetic head having: a writer for writing to the medium; and a near-field transducer for heating the medium for thermally assisted recording. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium, such as a disk for use in hard disk drives, has a flux channeling layer (FCL) located below the recording layer (RL) in each of the discrete data islands. The disk includes a substrate, a soft underlayer (SUL) of soft magnetically permeable material on the substrate, and a nonmagnetic exchange break layer (EBL) on the SUL. A nonmagnetic separation layer (SL) is located between the FCL and the RL in the islands. The FCL has an anisotropy field substantially lower than the anisotropy field of the RL, and a magnetization equal to or higher than the magnetization of the RL. The FCL is saturated at a much lower field than the RL and thus channels the magnetic flux from the write head through the island positions. The dipolar fields from the RL above the FCL polarize the magnetization of the FCL parallel to the magnetization direction of the RL in the absence of an external field, to thereby enhance the readback signal.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology teaches integrating disc drive electronics into a transducer head. Decreased electrical transit times and data processing times can be achieved by placing the electronics on or within the transducer head because electrical connections may be made physically shorter than in conventional systems. The electronics may include one or more of a control system circuit, a write driver, and/or a data buffer. The control system circuit generates a modified clock signal that has a fixed relation to phase and frequency of a bit-detected reference signal that corresponds to positions of patterned bits on the disc. The write driver writes outgoing data bits received from an external connection to off-head electronics directly to the writer synchronized with the modified clock signal. The data buffer stores and converts digital data bits sent from the off-head electronics to an analog signal that is synchronized with the modified clock signal.