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

Abstract: A servo write head for magnetic tape is provided. The invention includes first and second non-magnetic substrates and first and second magnetic layers deposited between the non-magnetic substrates. A middle non-magnetic substrate is then deposited between the first and second magnetic layers and forms the magnetic gap. In one embodiment, non-magnetic protective layers are placed between the middle substrate and magnetic layers and form part of the gap. A contoured top layer of magnetic material is deposited across the other layers and substrates and has at least one recording gap, and wherein the top layer forms a magnetic pattern for writing a servo pattern to the tape.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an exemplary method of manufacturing a magnetic head assembly with a predetermined wrap angle is described. The method includes removing a portion of a magnetic head support surface to create a slot transverse to a direction the media advances and at least partially separating a major support surface having an active device region and a thin support surface. The method further includes removing a portion of the thin support surface such that the height of at least a portion of the thin support surface is reduced relative to the major support surface. The height may be reduced to achieve a predetermined wrap angle between the media and the major support surface of the head assembly.

Abstract: A timing based servo alignment system that uses a set of band identification marks to determine which data band is being currently read. The system uses a read module having a plurality of band identification read elements. The band identification read elements are placed on the read module such that each band identification read element is aligned only to the band identification marks when a corresponding data band is aligned to the data read element.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording system employing a single bump read-while-write head, methods of minimizing crossfeed signals between the read and write channels of magnetic tape recording systems, and electronic circuitry to implement such methods.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording head is fabricated by forming a substrate from opposing ferrite blocks which have a ceramic member bonded between them. This structure is then diced to form a plurality of columns, wherein each column has a ferrite/ceramic combination. Each column represents a single channel in the completed head. A block of ceramic is then cut to match the columned structure and the two are bonded together. The bonded structure is then cut or ground until a head is formed, having ceramic disposed between each channel. A ferrite back-gap is then added to each channel, minimizing the reluctance of the flux path. The thin film is patterned on the head to optimize various channel configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including gluing vias in the closure surface and/or the recording module surface to increase bonding strength of the closure to the recording module. The surface of the recording module has a nonplanar topography along a gap side surface which creates localized air space in the gap. When adhesive is introduced between the closure and the recording module, the adhesive flows into these air spaces to bond the surfaces. The invention utilizes gluing vias in the surfaces of the closure and/or the recording module to increase flow of the adhesive and improve bonding strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic write element for use in a magnetic data recording system such as a disk drive. The invention provides a method of manufacturing a well defined coil, which avoids the problem of shallow wall angle problems exhibited by prior art methods due to coil mask shrinkage during high temperature bake. A series of trenches are provided in the coil mask, the trenches being shallower than the coil pattern, and not extending completely through the coil pattern. During the high temperature baking process shrinkage of the coil mask will be absorbed by the trenches and not transferred to the coil pattern, preventing deformation of the coil wall portion of the mask.

Abstract: First, second and third pole tip components of a write head are formed with the second pole tip located between the first and third components and a write gap layer located between the first and second pole tip components. The second pole tip is formed with a width that defines a track width of the write head. The third pole tip component is formed with top and bottom surfaces wherein the bottom surface interfaces a top surface of the second pole tip component and has a width equal to the track width and wherein the top surface of the third pole tip has a width greater than the track width.

Abstract: One of the major requirements for higher frequency extendability is to reduce yoke length and inductance in order to have fast saturation. This has been accomplished by using a design that provides a cavity in the lower pole piece inside which is located at least two coils, one on top of the other. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer having an inverted trapezoidal cross-section at the face opposing a recording medium. The main magnetic pole layer is formed by plating in a groove which is formed in a resist layer. The width of the resist layer in the track width direction gradually increases from the bottom to the top of the resist layer. This tapered groove is formed by annealing a nontapered groove or controlling the patterning precision of the resist layer. The inverted trapezoidal main magnetic pole layer prevents side fringing when the perpendicular magnetic recording head has a skew angle.

Abstract: A thin film inductive write head for magnetic recording has a write gap formed as a lamination of alternating layers of a nonmagnetic gap layer and a ferromagnetic spacer layer. There are N gap layers and N−1 spacer layers, with each pole tip of the write head being located adjacent to a gap layer. The spacer layers in the gap structure are formed of a ferromagnetic material with a high saturation moment density (BS) that is close to the BS of the spacer material from which the pole tips are formed. Unlike the pole tips, the spacer layers are not part of a magnetic circuit and are magnetically isolated, i.e., completely surrounded by nonmagnetic gap material. The effect of the spacer layers is to effectively divide the gap into a plurality of smaller gaps. The write head with the laminated gap creates a write bubble that is narrower in the off-track direction and wider in the in-track direction.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element on a suspension is mounted. This mounting includes electrically connecting the magnetic head slider with the suspension with ball bonding connections. Electrical property of the thin-film magnetic head element is inspected, and then the ball bonding connections are separated when it is judged that the thin-film magnetic head element has defective electrical property. Then, the magnetic head slider is detached from the suspension, and thereafter a new magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element is mounted on the suspension from which the magnetic head slider was detached.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-magnetic recording head capable of increasing a magnetic recording density of information recorded on a magnetic recording medium. The multi-magnetic recording head includes a substrate, a pair of first thin film magnetic poles with a specific gap put therebetween, which are stacked over the substrate, and a pair of second thin film magnetic poles with a specific gap put therebetween, which are stacked over the pair of first thin film magnetic poles, wherein the pair of first thin film magnetic poles and the pair of second thin film magnetic poles are offset from each other in the direction nearly perpendicular to the stacking direction.

Abstract: A tape head and method for forming a tape head are disclosed. The tape head includes a matched support beam pair, each support beam having a tape head disposed on the support beam, each support beam further including engagement surfaces and a recessed area disposed between the engagement surfaces, the matched pair being joined at the engagement surfaces, and the recess areas providing a cable receptacle for framing a cable that is attached to the tape head. The tape head and method for forming a tape head provides tape head assemblies with precise tape wrap angle setting, track-to-tack registration, and head-to-head parallelism suitable for very high density recording. By attaching a read-after-write pair of magnetic recording heads to two rigid, precision U-shaped support beams, the tape heads can be an aligned and hold this alignment accuracy during assembly processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spin-valve sensor disposed between first and second gap layers and formed of one or more in-situ oxidized films. The improved spin valve sensor helps eliminate electrical shorting between the spin-valve sensor and shield layers. A fabrication method of the gap layers comprises repeatedly depositing a metallic films on a wafer in a DC-magnetron sputtering module of a sputtering system, and then transferring the wafer in a vacuum to an oxidation module where in-situ oxidation is conducted. This deposition/in-situ oxidation process is repeated until a designed thicknesses of gap layers is attained. Smaller, more sensitive spin-valve sensors may be sandwiched between thinner gap layers formed of in-situ oxidized films, thus allowing for greater recording data densities in disk drive systems.

Abstract: A method for forming top and bottom spin valve sensors and the sensors so formed, the sensors having a strongly coupled SyAP pinned layer and an ultra-thin antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The two strongly coupled ferromagnetic layers comprising the SyAP pinned layer in the top valve configuration are separated by a Ru spacer layer approximately 3 angstroms thick, while the two layers in the bottom spin valve configuration are separated by a Rh spacer layer approximately 5 angstroms thick. This allows the use of an ultra thin MnPt antiferromagnetic pinning layer of thickness between approximately 80 and approximately 150 angstroms. The sensor structure produced thereby is suitable for high density applications.

Abstract: A process of forming a two-piece pole for an inductive write head involves first forming a first pole piece having a width between opposite side surfaces defining a gap width of a transducing gap at an air bearing surface of the head. The process next involves forming a second pole piece having a first region remote from the air bearing surface and a second region extending from the first region toward the air bearing surface. The first region is wider than the width of the first pole piece. The second pole piece is formed so that at least a portion of the second region is contiguous a portion of the first pole piece and so that no sharp external corners exist between the first pole tip piece and the second pole piece within a pole tip region of the head.

Abstract: A servo track write head writes low frequency transitions for fine transverse positioning and high frequency fields providing additional information. The servo track write head includes a first write gap with at least one gap section at a first angle relative to a tape direction. A second write gap has at least one gap section at a second angle, not equal to the first angle. The first and second write gaps write low frequency transitions in each servo frame. A third write gap writes high frequency transitions in each servo frame.

Abstract: In a composite magnetic head comprising a magnetoresistive read head including a magnetic thin film having a magnetoresistive effect and soft magnetic members interposing the soft magnetic film between them through a non-magnetic insulation layer, an induction type write head including poles formed in a moving direction of a medium and a conductor crossing the poles, and disposed in the proximity of the magnetoresistive head, and a substrate supporting these heads, the present invention discloses a composite magnetic head characterized in that part of a floating surface inclusive of the magnetic head constituent members has recesses and the read/write operations to and from the medium are effected by the portion interposed by these recesses.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing apparatus and method for erasing magnetic media of various sizes. A media passage track is provided such that media passing therethrough is uniformly exposed to the magnetic fields provided through the gap. The bulk degaussing apparatus has fixed magnetic pole pairs predisposed for generating uniform magnetic field elements across a gap projecting magnetic flux across the gap for erasing various sizes of magnetic media, with the magnetic media receiving track positioned relative to the poles such that adjacent like poles are arranged on each side of the gap to counteract fringing effects. The bulk degaussing method for erasing various sizes of magnetic media provides a plurality of fixed magnetic pole pairs for generating uniform magnetic field elements on one or more sides of a degaussing region projecting magnetic flux into the region, and arranges the plurality of fixed poles so that adjacent poles counteract fringing effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spin-valve sensor employing one or more in-situ oxidized films as cap and/or gap layers in order to achieve an increased GMR coefficient and improved thermal stability. A fabrication method comprises depositing multilayer metallic films on a wafer in ion-beam and DC-magnetron sputtering modules of a sputtering system, and then transferring the wafer in a vacuum to an oxidation module where in-situ oxidation is conducted. When the method is used to form a cap layer, the cap layer may only be partially oxidized. A magnetic-field annealing may be subsequently conducted without the substantial occurrence of interface mixing and oxygen diffusion during the anneal process. The resulting spin-valve sensor exhibits an increased GMR coefficient, possibly due to induced specular scattering of conduction electrons and improved thermal stability mainly due to the protection of an underlying sensing layer from interface mixing and oxygen diffusion during the annealing process.

Abstract: A merged magnetic head has a top first pole tip layer and a bottom second pole tip layer which are located entirely between an air bearing surface and a coil layer. A write gap layer separates the pole tip layers from one another at the ABS. A zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer is located adjacent the top gap layer between the pole tip layers and is recessed from the ABS so as to further separate the pole tip layers from one another at a location recessed from the ABS so as to define the zero throat height of the write head where the first and second pole pieces first commence to separate from one another after the ABS.

Abstract: A process of forming a microactuator for positioning a transducing head over a selected radial track of a rotatable disc in a disc drive system is disclosed. A tub is etched in a substrate, and a bottom coil layer is plated at least partially in the tub. A first insulating layer is deposited on the bottom coil layer. A ferromagnetic core layer is formed on the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is deposited on and around the ferromagnetic core layer. A top coil layer is plated on the second insulating layer, and contacts the bottom coil layer at a point spaced from the ferromagnetic core. A rotor is formed on a rotor substrate to confront the ferromagnetic core, is operatively attached to the slider and is movable with respect to the ferromagnetic core.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing head having a plurality of magnetic head elements for multi-channeling capable of achieving high density recording/reproducing capability, including: a plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head layers each including magnetic recording/reproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two insulating/magnetic shielding layers laminated on a non-magnetic substrate; the total of magnetic recording/reproducing head elements formed therein are displaced from each other in a head width direction, and each magnetic recording/reproducing head layer has a plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: A motor or bearing which incorporates the use of a capillary seal adjacent a bearing race between the shaft and surrounding hub or housing. The seal may take a plurality of forms, including a straight capillary seal; a seal formed between the housing and a seal ball having different radius of curvatures (preferably with the housing internal surface having a larger radius); or a centrifugal capillary seal comprising a male cone supported on a fixed or rotating shaft, and a female cone supported on a housing. The use of a capillary seal rather than ferrofluid seal should also provide a reduction in resistance across the seal gap compared to a ferrofluid seal.

Abstract: A method for making a thin-film magnetic head having a magnetoresistive effect element wherein an insulating layer is formed under an electrode layer of a magnetoresistive effect element with a lower gap layer interposed therebetween. As a result, the distance between the electrode layer and the lower shielding layer becomes longer, thus permitting maintenance of a satisfactory electrical insulation.

Abstract: A combination magnetic head includes a reading head portion and a writing head portion successively stacked on a substrate. A magnetic shield layer is formed on a portion of the substrate between a recessed portion formed in a surface of the substrate and an air bearing surface. A shield gap layer with a magnetoresistive reproducing element embedded therein is formed on the magnetic shield layer. A first magnetic layer has a pole portion formed on the shield gap layer and an extended portion extending along a bottom wall of the recessed portion. A thin film coil has a portion provided on the extended portion and fully embedded within the recessed portion such that the portion of the thin film coil is closer to the substrate than the reproducing element.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a lower shielding layer composed of a magnetic material; a nonmagnetic MR gap layer on the lower shielding layer; a magnetoresistive element layer in the MR gap layer facing a recording medium; a lower core layer composed of a magnetic material on the MR gap layer; an upper core layer composed of a magnetic material being opposed to the lower core layer with a nonmagnetic gap layer therebetween at the surface facing the recording medium; and a coil layer for inducing a recording magnetic field in the lower core layer and the upper core layer. Alternatively, a thin film magnetic head further includes a first magnetic material layer in the rear of the lower shielding layer, magnetically separated from the lower shielding layer. A method of fabricating the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for collective production of integrated magnetic heads with a supporting surface with a determined height. According to the invention the components of a board are thinned collectively be etching the board along area overlapping polar parts.

Abstract: A system for transferring information to and from a magnetic disk is disclosed wherein the information may be encoded on a data track in a large number of polarization orientations in comparison to conventional bidirectional recording schemes. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that a single segment may be polarized in eight different orientations, each of which being distinguishable from each other by a read/write head. Polarization of a segment in one of eight different orientations significantly increases the amount of information which can be stored in any given segment relative to conventional systems which are polarized in only one of two orientations. Thus, the amount of information which may be stored on a disk may be increased without having to alter the linear or radial density of the disk.

Abstract: A method of making provides a smooth surface of a pinned or free layer interfacing a barrier layer in a tunnel junction sensor wherein the smooth surface is an oxidized monolayer of the pinned or free layer. After sputter depositing the pinned or free layer the layer is subjected to an oxygen (O2) atmosphere which is extremely low for a very short duration. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a partial thickness of the barrier layer is provided with a smooth surface by the same process after which a remainder thickness of the barrier layer is deposited and the barrier layer is exposed to oxygen (O2) to form an oxide of the deposited metal.

Abstract: In the present method for manufacturing a magnetic write head a focused ion beam (FIB) tool is utilized to mill the side edges of a P2 pole, in order to provide a narrowed track width. Prior to milling, a thin film layer of material is deposited upon the P2 pole tip. The milling boxes of the FIB tool are properly aligned upon the layer with reference to the location of the P2 pole tip. Milling of the lateral edges of the P2 pole tip is then conducted to the appropriate depth, and the layer of material is removed. The resulting P2 pole tip has sharp lateral edges, rather than the rounded edges that are produced in prior art FIB processing methods that do not utilize the thin film layer. In a preferred implementation, the FIB tool is utilized first to deposit the thin film layer and thereafter to perform the milling operation.

Abstract: A matrix array of recording heads, wherein each head is independent from another both in terms of its magnetic circuit and excitation conductors. Each individual head has a planar magnetic circuit and an helical coil wrapped around the lower part of the magnetic circuit. The matrix array is collectively fabricated using full thin film technology on non-magnetic substrates. Preferably, the heads are aligned in an oblique lattice with the write gaps aligned along rows and offset by a constant value along columns. Each individual head is connected to the control electronics through interconnects to the backside of the wafer, allowing independent control of the write parameters. The die forming the device is shaped on its edges and top surface to optimize head/medium positioning and minimize wear.

Abstract: Methods of forming a head assembly, a head assembly, and a linear tape drive are provided. One aspect provides a method of forming a head assembly including providing a base member; forming a plurality of head components upon the base member individually adapted to communicate information relative to a tape; providing a plurality of component regions adjacent respective ones of the head components and a path of travel of the tape; and providing a support region intermediate adjacent ones of the head components and positioned to support the tape moving along the path of travel, the support region comprising a material different than a material of the component regions.

Abstract: A magnetic head for vertical magnetic.

Abstract: A magnetic head manufacturing method. In one embodiment, a wafer including magnetic head devices formed on the surface thereof are cut out into individual sliders. Photoresist is applied on the air bearing surfaces of the sliders and is then baked. The surface tension causes the photoresist at the peripheral regions of the air bearing surface to taper and become rounded or thinned. The air bearing surface is then uniformly dry-etched such that the peripheral regions of the air bearing surface are rounded in a tapered shape.

Abstract: A head for a tape drive system has a plurality of transducers formed on a substrate and protected by a cover bar, with a tie bar bonded to the cover bar. The tie bar extends along a tape-facing surface beyond the cover bar, enhancing the structural integrity of the head. Wear bars may be bonded to the substrate, cover bar and tie bar. Alternatively, the tie bar may have a notch within which the substrate and cover bar are bonded. The tie bar reduces misalignment and instability of the transducers, providing increased storage capacity and greater reliability and durability of the tape drive system.

Abstract: A read/write head cooling system for use in a magnetic storage device, such as, for example, a hard disk drive is provided. In one embodiment, a thermally conducting patterned cold plate is thermally situated between a write coil and a read sensor of the read/write head. A microcooler, such as, for example, a thermoelectric cooler, is thermally coupled to the cold plate. A hot plate of one or more heat dissipation elements, such as, for example, copper posts, is thermally coupled to the hot side of the microcooler. The write coils of the read/write head are actively cooled by the microcooler to reduce the temperature of the write coil and read sensor in the head below that attainable with passive mechanisms.

Abstract: A servo track write head writes low frequency transitions for fine transverse positioning and high frequency fields providing additional information. The servo track write head includes a first write gap with at least one gap section at a first angle relative to a tape direction. A second write gap has at least one gap section at a second angle, not equal to the first angle. The first and second write gaps write low frequency transitions in each servo frame. A third write gap writes high frequency transitions in each servo frame.

Abstract: A servo track configuration includes at least one servo track having a width. A servo pattern is repeatedly recorded in the at least one servo track. Repeatedly recording the servo pattern includes repeating the simultaneous recording of first and second reference pattern lines and a track pattern line in the at least one servo track. Each of the first and second reference pattern lines has an identical predetermined geometry and extends across the width of the at least one servo track. Further, the track pattern line has a predetermined geometry that is different than the predetermined geometry of the first and second reference pattern lines and extends across the width of the at least one servo track.

Abstract: A multichannel magnetic head includes a plurality of sets of magnetic core half bodies, each of the sets having two of the half bodies facing each other, and a plurality of magnetic gap portions, each of the gap portions located where two magnetic core half bodies face each other. The plurality of magnetic gap portions, when a magnetic medium is inserted therein, transferring record data between the magnetic medium and the magnetic head, and the gap distances of the magnetic gap portions being differentially preset to accommodate a physically warped magnetic medium. A magnetic card reader including a multichannel magnetic head has a plurality of magnetic gap portions, and the multichannel magnetic head is capable of recording data onto a magnetic medium in contact therewith. The multichannel magnetic head has gap distances that can be modified based on a possibility of spacings between the multichannel magnetic head and the magnetic medium so that a warped card can be accommodated.

Abstract: A variable width flat tape head for bi-directional contact recording and method for making the same has significant advantages over both traditional contoured tape heads and single width flat heads for contact recording applications. The variable width head and process disclosed herein allows for greater ease of manufacturing, efficient layout of the devices on thin film wafers and provides a significant cost reduction in the production of the head compared to traditionally contoured tape heads. In addition, the present invention reduces unnecessary surface area where the tape contacts the head, thus reducing tape wear and damage that is present in single width flat heads (where the tape is in contact uniformly across the tape width), thereby providing a concomitant improvement in tape wear and life.

Abstract: A module for a tape head assembly includes a first substrate having active elements and a second substrate having active elements. The active elements on the first and second substrates can be read elements, write elements, or a combination of read and write elements. The second substrate is positioned over the first substrate. In one embodiment, the active elements of the first substrate are aligned between the active elements of the second substrate when the second substrate is positioned over the first substrate.

Abstract: A merged magnetic head has a top first pole tip layer and a bottom second pole tip layer which are located entirely between an air bearing surface and a coil layer. A write gap layer separates the pole tip layers from one another at the ABS. A zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer is located adjacent the top gap layer between the pole tip layers and is recessed from the ABS so as to further separate the pole tip layers from one another at a location recessed from the ABS so as to define the zero throat height of the write head where the first and second pole pieces first commence to separate from one another after the ABS.

Abstract: A method for making a thin-film magnetic head with a magnetoresistive layer having a desired shaped to facilitate narrowing of the track width, wherein the surface, in the depth direction, is not curved, and wherein the shape and magnetic anisotropy of each sublayer of the magnetoresistive layer is stabilized to ensure improved reading characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for achieving miniature fluxgate circuits capable of remotely sensing local dynamic magnetic fields. By synchronizing the excitation currents of the sensor core with the time-varying magnetic signals, the sensitivity can thus be improved, thereby enabling dynamic measurements at high speed. Also disclosed is a magnetic recording head device which uses a fluxgate magnetometer to measure a sequence of magnetic digital data bits, capable of providing dual reading and writing functions at high speeds, whose fabrication is fully compatible with the current printing circuit technologies.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording head is provided with a tape bearing surface that has magnetically isolated channels while still providing a maximum continuous surface area with which to engage the media. This can be accomplished by providing spaces in the magnetically permeable thin film that are large enough to prevent cross-talk between the channels, but small enough to prevent significant interference with the moving media. Alternatively, magnetically impermeable thin film spacers can be provided to magnetically isolate each of the channels. The spacers are generally even with the magnetically permeable thin film so as to provide a continuous media-bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetic servo write head incorporates timing pattern read and write heads that are non-symmetrically slanted relative to an adjacent servo write head to improve timing pattern detection for a timing pattern written at an edge of a magnetic storage media. The slanted orientation of the timing write and read heads provides optimized timing pattern location and track width on a magnetic tape, while also allowing a sufficient number of windings to be used on an associated coil to improve overall signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head including a plurality of magnetic head elements disposed on a head support in a direction across a magnetic tape and a plurality of connection terminals disposed on the head support, for each of the magnetic head elements, in a direction perpendicular to the signal recording surface of the magnetic tape. Even a large number of magnetic head elements can be electrically connected to an external circuit in an appropriate and simple manner.