Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system comprises a magnetic pole having a media-facing end and a wrap around shield spaced from the magnetic pole, wherein the wrap around shield has a media-facing end positioned along three sides of the media-facing end of the magnetic pole and has inner, second, and middle regions separated by transitional regions. The inner region is closest to the media facing end of the magnetic pole, the second region is farthest from the media facing end of the magnetic pole, and the middle region is between the inner and second regions. A cross-sectional height of the inner region measured perpendicularly to the wrap around shield's media-facing end is less than a cross-sectional height of the second region, and a cross-sectional height of the middle region is greater than the cross-sectional height of the inner region and less than the cross-sectional height of the second region.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes: an encasing layer made of a nonmagnetic material and having a groove that opens in the top surface; a nonmagnetic metal layer made of a nonmagnetic metal material, disposed on the top surface of the encasing layer, and having a penetrating opening that is contiguous to the groove; and a pole layer made of a magnetic metal material and encased in the groove of the encasing layer and in the opening of the nonmagnetic metal layer. The pole layer has an end face located in a medium facing surface, the end face having a first portion and a second portion that is located farther from a substrate than the first portion and connected to the first portion. The first portion has a width that decreases as the distance from the substrate decreases. The second portion has a uniform width that defines the track width. In the medium facing surface, the nonmagnetic metal layer exists on both sides of the second portion, the sides being opposed to each other in the direction of track width.

Abstract: A method for defining a perpendicular magnetic head is provided. The method includes forming a portion of the read and write head including depositing a sensor film on a surface only over a region of the read head to form a sensor; depositing a full-film shaping pole layer over the write head; defining a track width of the sensor; patterning a photoresist to define a pole tip of the write head including write track width and flare position, and at the same time to define a back edge of the sensor; removing material of the sensor and pole tip from the areas not covered by the photoresist; completing the fabrication of the write and read head layers; and lapping the write pole concurrently with the sensor to define the flare position of the pole tip and to define a sensor height with accurate positioning of write head flare.

Abstract: Recording heads for data storage systems are provided. Recording heads include a substrate layer made of a first material. The substrate layer has a bearing surface side. A tapered feature made of a second material is included on the bearing surface side. The first material is illustratively a multiphase material and the second material is illustratively diamond-like carbon.

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

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head is provided having a bottom pole, a writer pole disposed above the bottom pole, and a top shield disposed above the writer pole. The bottom pole and the top shield are both magnetically coupled to the writer pole. The writer pole includes a concave facing surface that faces the top shield. The top shield can include a convex surface that faces the writer pole. The top shield can also include a pedestal that protrudes towards the writer pole.

Abstract: Write heads and corresponding methods of fabrication are provided using multiple electronic lapping guides to collect information regarding multiple distances of a write head, such as a throat height and a flare point distance of a write pole. A method of fabricating a write head includes fabricating a write pole and a corresponding write pole ELG. The method further includes fabricating a trailing shield and a corresponding trailing shield ELG. The method further includes performing a lapping process on the write head, and monitoring a lapping depth of the lapping process based on the resistance of the write pole ELG and the resistance of the trailing shield ELG.

Abstract: A write pole tip for a magnetic head has a trailing edge that is closer than a leading edge to a perpendicular recording medium, so that the write signal strength of the trailing edge is greater than that of the leading edge. Such an angled pole tip can write a sharp magnetic pattern with the trailing edge, reducing erroneous writing. A layer of physically hard material such as diamond-like carbon (DLC) may adjoin the trailing edge, the physically hard material layer protruding slightly after polishing of the media-facing surface due to its resistance to lapping. This can form an acute corner of the write pole tip adjacent to the physically hard material layer. The trailing edge may be longer than the leading edge, and the write pole tip may have a trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A substructure in which a plurality of pre-head portions are aligned in rows is to be cut later so that the pre-head portions are separated from one another. A surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped to form medium facing surfaces. The substructure includes a plurality of sensors that respectively show individual sensor values corresponding to values of a plurality of different parameters each of which has an influence on characteristics relating to the pole layer and each of which depends on the position of the medium facing surface. The individual sensor values are resistance values each of which varies according to the position of the medium facing surface. The plurality of sensors are electrically connected to each other to form a composite sensor that shows a composite sensor value, which is a resistance value that depends on the resistance values of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic write head capable of suppressing damage and corrosion of a magnetic pole to secure a stable writing performance is provided. A non-magnetic protruding layer protruding from a main magnetic pole layer (tip portion) toward an air bearing surface side is formed on both sides of the tip portion in a writing track width direction. The non-magnetic protruding layer is located closer to a recording medium than the tip portion during writing operation, and more likely to be in contact with the writing medium instead of the tip portion. Since the portion of the protective film covering the tip portion hardly peels off while the portion of the protective film covering the non-magnetic protruding layer is easy to peel off, the tip portion is hardly damaged or corroded. Since the tip portion is protected physically and chemically by the non-magnetic protruding layer, the deterioration of the soft magnetic characteristics of the tip portion is suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling the asymmetrical properties of the response of a magnetic sensor element to a magnetic field produced by the digital data in a magnetic storage device. The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for controlling the bias point of a magnetic field produced by a magnetic sensor element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin closure magnetic read/write heads, such as magnetic tape heads is provided. The method provides improved flexural strength of the closure so that the closure breakage during fabrication of the heads is mitigated and closure thickness is reduced. An array of chips is fabricated on a wafer. The array is closed, with a closure strip bonded to each row of the array. Closures span only the length of a row, so that the closures are not subjected to flexure during processing and breakage due to flexure is mitigated. Side bars are bonded to the array to form a column with dimensions similar to prior art columns. This allows columns manufactured by the invention to undergo additional processing using existing processes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a single-pole perpendicular magnetic recording head to contain a bevel angle promotion layer that facilitates the fabrication of the bevel angle in a trapezoidal main pole. The bevel angle promotion layer is made of a non-magnetic material that is softer than the material (e.g., Al2O3) that normally underlies the main pole. In one embodiment, the bevel angle promotion layer is formed between an end of the yoke and the air bearing surface (ABS), with the top surface of the bevel angle promotion layer being substantially coplanar with the top surface of the yoke. In other embodiment the bevel angle promotion layer is integrated with a leading edge taper material, which is formed of a magnetic material, to broaden the magnetic flux path between the yoke and the main pole.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of: fabricating a substructure in which pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows by forming components of a plurality of magnetic heads on a single substrate; and fabricating the plurality of magnetic heads by separating the pre-head portions from one another through cutting the substructure. In the step of fabricating the substructure, the resistance of an MR film that will be formed into an MR element by undergoing lapping later is detected to determine the target position of the boundary between a track width defining portion and a wide portion of a pole layer based on the resistance detected, and the pole layer is thereby formed. In the step of fabricating the magnetic heads, the surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped such that the MR film is lapped and the resistance thereof thereby reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of recording servo information includes writing servo information in a data storage medium using a compound magnetic recording head. The compound magnetic recording head has a substrate including first and second magnetically permeable substrate portions and a substantially non-magnetic member interposed between the first and second magnetically permeable substrate portions. A magnetically permeable layer is provided over the first and second magnetically permeable substrate portions of the substrate and includes first and second writing gap features associated with the first and second substrate portions. The writing gap features are formed using a patterned mask layer over the magnetically permeable layer, wherein the patterned mask layer comprises first and second patterned gap features corresponding to the first and second writing gap features.

Abstract: A method for providing a giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensor for use in sensing magnetic flux is provided. The method comprises positioning a layer of Cu material between first and second layers of a specified ferromagnetic material. The respective end surfaces of the Cu layer and the first and second layers are initially located in a common plane and in a co-planar relationship with one another. The method further comprises removing an amount of material from the copper layer to form a new end surface thereof that is selectively spaced apart from the common plane and applying a protective coating to the new end surface of the Cu layer to inhibit corrosion of the Cu layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic write head that provides improved pole critical dimension control, such as improved track width control (improved sigma) and improved flare point control. The method involves a combination of several process improvements, such as photolithographically patterning a P2 pole tip defining photoresist frame using a zero print bias and also using a small flash field. The method also involves the use of a non-reactive ion etch to notch the first pole (P1) using the second pole (P2) as a mask.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write head having a trailing shield and with a tapered step. The method includes forming a write pole with a non-magnetic trailing gap and first and second non-magnetic side gap layers. A mask is formed having an opening over a portion of the write pole that is configured to define a non-magnetic bump. A non-magnetic bump material is deposited into the opening in a manner that defines a non-magnetic bump having a tapered front edge. A magnetic wrap around shield can then be formed over the non-magnetic bump, so that the bump forms a tapered stepped feature on the wrap-around magnetic shield. The bump location can be controlled by an electric lapping guide, which is defined to be aligned to the bump front edge.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording head records or reads information on or from a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The perpendicular magnetic recoding head includes a coil, a main pole, and a return pole. The coil serves as a source for generating a magnetic field. The main pole and the return pole constitute a magnetic path of the magnetic field. The main pole includes an end facing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The end includes a leading part serving as a front side and a trailing part serving as a rear side with respect to a movement direction of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium. Both edges of the trailing part are chamfered, and the leading part has a plane inclined with respect to an air-bearing surface (ABS). The return pole has an end spaced from the main pole, and the other end connected with the main pole.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head that is effective for the suppression of thermal protrusion. The magnetic head includes SiO2, Si nitride, or Si oxide as a coil insulator having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high workability. The coil insulator is arranged at a position away from the air bearing surface and the air bearing surface is made of alumina, making slider processing easy.

Abstract: A method for constructing a magnetic write head using an electrical lapping guide to carefully control critical dimensions during a lapping operation used to define an air bearing surface. The lapping guide is photolithograhically patterned in a common photolithographic step with another write head structure so that special relation between the lapping guide and critical dimensions of the write head structure can be carefully maintained. The electrical lapping guide can be patterned in a common photolithographic step as the write pole so that the location of the flare point can be carefully controlled with respect to the location of the lapping guide. A stitched flare structure can also be built together with the electrical lapping guide, then a self-aligned shield can be further built over this stitched flare structure so that both flare point and shield throat can be controlled tightly together by this electrical lapping guide during lapping process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a wrap around magnetic shield. The method allows a highly accurate short wavelength such as 193 mm photolithography to be used to accurately define the placement and critical dimension of wrap around magnetic shield. The method includes the formation of a magnetic write pole, top gap, and side gap and the deposition of a RIEable fill layer thereover, and CMP to planarization. A 193 nm photolithography and ion milling is used to form a mask over the RIEable layer and one or more reactive ion etching processes are performed to pattern the RIEable layer through 193 nm photolithography mask. A wrap around shield can then be electroplated into the opening formed in the RIEable layer.

Abstract: A method for making a perpendicular magnetic recording write head that has a write pole, a trapezoidal-shaped trailing shield notch, and a gap between the write pole and notch uses a reactive ion beam etching (RIBE) process in CHF3 that removes filler material at the side edges of the write pole and thus widens the opening at the side edges. The gap is formed of a nonmagnetic mask film, such as alumina, a nonmagnetic metal protective film and a nonmagnetic gap layer. The nonmagnetic metal film is substantially less reactive to CHF3 than the filler material and protects the underlying mask film and write pole during the widening of the opening. The gap layer and trailing shield notch are deposited into a widened opening above the write pole, so the sides of the notch diverge to cause the generally trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective bilayer on a magnetic read/write head or magnetic disk. The bilayer is formed as an adhesion enhancing underlayer and a protective diamond-like carbon (DLC) overlayer. The underlayer is formed of an aluminum or alloyed aluminum oxynitride, having the general formula AlOxNy or MezAlOxNy where Mez symbolizes Tiz, Siz or Crz and where x, y and z can be varied within the formation process. By adjusting the values of x and y the adhesion underlayer contributes to such qualities of the protective bilayer as stress compensation, chemical and mechanical stability and low electrical conductivity. Various methods of forming the underlayer are provided, including reactive ion sputtering, plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition, pulsed laser deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation.

Abstract: An MR effect element that can obtain the sufficient back flux-guide effect under the condition of reducing the capacitance between the upper and lower electrode layers is provided. The element comprises: an MR effect multilayer provided on the lower electrode layer; an insulating layer surrounding a rear side surface and side surfaces opposed to each other in track width direction of the MR effect multilayer; and an upper electrode layer provided on the MR effect multilayer and the insulating layer, the insulating layer having a concave portion filled with a portion of the upper electrode layer, the concave portion positioned near the rear side surface of the MR effect multilayer, and a bottom point of a concave of the concave portion positioned at the same level or a lower level in stacking direction compared to an upper surface of the free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head is produced with an insert layer between the substrate and the magnetic transducer. The insert layer has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the substrate, which reduces the temperature pole tip recession (T-PTR) of the head because the insert layer is an intervening layer between the substrate and magnetic transducer. The insert layer is produced by plating, e.g., an Invar layer over the substrate prior to fabricating the magnetic transducer. The Invar layer is annealed and the structure planarized prior to depositing a non-magnetic gap layer followed by the fabrication of the magnetic transducer.

Abstract: A method of forming a perpendicular magnetic recording write head having a trailing shield (TS) with a precisely defined throat height (TH) on an air-bearing slider includes depositing an electrical lapping guide (ELG) layer on the substrate adjacent to and spaced from the write pole (WP) layer. A nonmagnetic TS pad layer is deposited on both the gap layer and the ELG layer, with the TS pad layer patterned to have a front edge extending across the both the ELG layer and the gap layer and recessed from the line where the substrate will be later cut to form the slider. An ELG protection layer is patterned on the ELG layer, the TS pad layer material is removed from the ELG layer in the region recessed from the TS pad layer front edge, and the ELG layer is removed in regions not covered by the ELG protection layer.

Abstract: A multi-step process for notching the P1 pole of the write head element of a magnetic head. In a first step following the fabrication of the P2 pole tip, a layer of protective material is deposited on the approximately vertical side surfaces of the P2 pole tip. Thereafter, a first ion milling step, utilizing a species such as argon, is performed to mill through the write gap layer and to notch into the P1 pole layer therebelow. The removal of redeposited material from the side surfaces of the P2 pole tip is thereafter accomplished and the protective material formed on the side surfaces of the P2 pole tip protects the P2 pole tip during the redeposition clean up step. Thereafter, the protective material is removed from the side surfaces of the P2 pole tip, and a second ion milling step is performed to further notch the P1 pole material.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic recording head utilizing a timing based servo pattern is fabricated by sputtering a magnetically permeable thin film onto a substrate. A gap pattern, preferably a timing based pattern, is defined by the thin film. The gap pattern includes termination patterns or endpoints that are elliptical or diamond-shaped.

Abstract: Methods for improving within wafer and wafer to wafer yields during fabrication of notched trailing shield structures are disclosed. Ta/Rh CMP stop layers are deposited prior to planarization and notch formation to ensure a planar surface for trailing shield structures. These stop layers may be blanket deposited or patterned prior to CMP. Patterned stop layers produce the highest yields.

Abstract: A hard bias structure for biasing a free layer in a MR element within a read head is comprised of a composite hard bias layer having a Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2/Co65Cr15Pt20 configuration. The upper Co65Cr15Pt20 layer has a larger Hc value and a thickness about 2 to 10 times greater than that of the Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2 layer. The hard bias structure may also include a BCC underlayer such as FeCoMo which enhances the magnetic moment of the hard bias structure. Optionally, the thickness of the Co78.6Cr5.2Pt16.2 layer is zero and the Co65Cr15Pt20 layer is formed on the BCC underlayer. The present invention also encompasses a laminated hard bias structure. The Mrt value for the hard bias structure may be optimized by adjusting the thicknesses of the BCC underlayer and CoCrPt layers. As a result, a larger process window is realized and lower asymmetry output during a read operation is achieved.

Abstract: A method and structure for reducing corrosion during the manufacture of perpendicular write heads is disclosed. Auxiliary pole structures (otherwise known as trailing shields and wrap around shields) are susceptible to corrosion due to their iron containing composition and small dimensions. The impact of corrosion can be reduced by utilizing a gap material comprising an upper surface of noble metals, which extends from underneath the auxiliary pole and is exposed to the same corrosive environment during processing. The area of the exposed gap material is limited to optimize corrosion protection.

Abstract: Aggressive (i.e. tight tolerance) stitching offers several advantages for magnetic write heads but at the cost of some losses during pole trimming. This problem has been overcome by replacing the alumina filler layer, that is used to protect the stitched pole during trimming, with a layer of electro-plated material. Because of the superior step coverage associated with the plating method of deposition, pole trimming can then proceed without the introduction of stresses to the stitched pole while it is being trimmed.

Abstract: A perpendicular write head includes a beveled main pole having corners defining a track width and having a planarized surface and encapsulated on either side thereof and below by an alumina layer, the alumina layer having a polished surface and extending above the main pole on either side thereof as steps.

Abstract: A slider comprises an air bearing surface which is arranged to face a recording medium and a protective film which covers at least a part of the air bearing surface. The protective film includes a first protective film formed on the air bearing surface and made of an amorphous material based on carbon and hydrogen and a second protective film formed to cover the first protective film and made of an amorphous material based on carbon and hydrogen. Further, the atomic fraction of hydrogen in the second protective film is lower than that in the first protective film.

Abstract: A linear tape drive system includes a tape having a path direction, a data track having data transitions at an azimuthal orientation relative to the path direction, and a servo track having servo positioning transitions. A linear tape drive module is configured to read and/or write to the data track at the azimuthal orientation and read the servo positioning transitions.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes forming a resist structure above an upper surface of a substrate, wherein a portion of the upper surface of the substrate is a shaping layer, wherein the resist structure has an undercut; depositing a layer of magnetic material above exposed regions of the substrate, wherein a portion of the layer of magnetic material tapers towards the substrate as it approaches the undercut; removing the resist structure; and forming a write pole above the layer of magnetic material. Additional methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A read and/or write head for a tape drive system has a tape bearing surface that includes relatively smooth areas surrounded by relatively rough areas. Read and/or write elements are located in the smooth areas.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is manufactured as follows. First, a base insulating layer having a magnetic pole forming depression sunken into a form corresponding to the main magnetic pole layer is formed, a stop film for CMP is formed such as to fill the magnetic pole forming depression, and then a magnetic layer is formed on the stop film. Next, the magnetic layer is separated by forming a separation groove substantially surrounding the magnetic pole forming depression on the outside thereof, and thus separated magnetic layer is formed with a cover insulating film adapted to cover the whole upper face. The surface is polished by CMP until the stop film is exposed, so that the part of magnetic layer remaining on the inside of the magnetic pole forming depression is used as the main magnetic pole layer. Further, a recording gap layer, a write shield layer, and a thin-film coil are formed.

Abstract: Components of a plurality of magnetic heads are formed on a single substrate to fabricate a magnetic head substructure in which a plurality of pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows. The substructure is cut to separate the plurality of pre-head portions from one another, and the plurality of magnetic heads are thereby fabricated. The surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped to form a lapped surface. The lapped surface is lapped so as to reach a target position of a medium facing surface. The substructure incorporates first to fourth resistor elements each of which detects the position of the lapped surface. The third and fourth detection elements are located at positions shifted from the first and second resistor elements along the direction orthogonal to the medium facing surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for independently controlling track width and bevel angle of a write pole tip of a magnetic recording head. The method includes establishing the track width in the pole tip layer material utilizing E-beam lithography. A portion of this pole tip material having the established track width is protected by providing a temporary masking material to make a protected portion. At least one unprotected portion is left exposed to be shaped. This unprotected portion is then beveled to produce at least one beveled portion. The protected portion produces an upper pole tip portion which together with the beveled portion produce an improved pole tip. Also disclosed is a magnetic head having the improved pole tip, and a disk drive having a magnetic head having the improved pole tip.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is manufactured as follows. First, a base insulating layer having a magnetic pole forming depression sunken into a form corresponding to the main magnetic pole layer is formed, a stop film for CMP is formed such as to fill the magnetic pole forming depression, and then a magnetic layer is formed on the stop film. Next, the magnetic layer is separated by forming a separation groove substantially surrounding the magnetic pole forming depression on the outside thereof, and thus separated magnetic layer is formed with a cover insulating film adapted to cover the whole upper face. The surface is polished by CMP until the stop film is exposed, so that the part of magnetic layer remaining on the inside of the magnetic pole forming depression is used as the main magnetic pole layer. Further, a recording gap layer, a write shield layer, and a thin-film coil are formed.

Abstract: A method for constructing a magnetic write head for use in perpendicular magnetic recording, the write head having a write pole with a trailing shield. After forming a magnetic write pole such as by masking and ion milling a magnetic write pole layer, a thin layer of alumina is deposited. This is followed by the deposition of a thin layer of Rh. Then, a thick layer of alumina is deposited, having a thickness that is preferably at least equal to the height of the write pole layer. A chemical mechanical polish is then performed until a portion of the Rh layer over the top (trailing edge) of the write pole is exposed. A material removal process such as ion milling is then performed to remove the exposed Rh layer exposing the thin alumina layer there beneath. Since the Rh trailing gap layer is electrically conductive it can also serve as a seed layer for electroplating the magnetic trailing shield.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write pole and trailing wrap around magnetic shield for use in a perpendicular magnetic data recording system. The method includes the use of a hard mask structure with end point detection material embedded in a hard mask material. The novel hard mask structure provides the mill resistance of a hard mask, with the end point detection advantages of an end point detection layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a magnetic head and a magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording medium includes a recording layer formed of a hard magnetic layer and a soft magnetic layer. The hard magnetic layer has a bit width corresponding to a length of a bit island in a radial direction of the magnetic recording medium. The soft magnetic layer is arranged on the hard magnetic layer. The soft magnetic layer has a width smaller than the bit width and is arranged at a position displaced in a direction away from an off-track portion of the leading edge of the magnetic head skewed at an angle.

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 device and method for testing a slider of a head-gimbal assembly during disc drive manufacturing. The device includes a test disc, an actuator arm and a control module. The test disc has a first circumferential area for detecting contact between the slider and the test disc and a second circumferential area for burnishing sliders that contact the first circumferential area as the test disc rotates at or above the predetermined velocity. The head-gimbal assembly is affixed to the actuator arm such that the slider is operable to move between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the test disc. The control module controls the movement of the actuator arm, and thus the slider, relative to the test disc. The control module monitors the slider-disc interface for contact therebetween. If contact is detected, the slider is either burnished or the head-gimbal assembly is discarded altogether.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a recording head includes a tapered waveguide adapted to propagate light from a light source a slider adjacent to a surface of a storage medium. The tapered waveguide is adapted to output an elliptical beam to a grating coupler on a slider. The recording head further includes a slider waveguide extending substantially normal to a surface of the storage medium and a grating adapted to couple the elliptical beam into the slider waveguide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of manufacturing a magnetic head slider, the method being adapted so that throat height of a main magnetic pole piece of a perpendicular recording magnetic head can be controlled with high accuracy. According to one embodiment, a first Electrical Lapping Guide element (ELG) is disposed on the same layer as a plated underlayer of a shield of one write head in a row bar, and other ELGs are disposed on the same layer as that of a main magnetic pole piece of another write head. Front end positions (Tops) are detected from changes in resistance values of the other ELGs and an ending position of lapping is calculated. Since the front end positions (Tops) of the other ELGs are accurate, it is possible to assign a correlation to throat height “Th” of the main magnetic pole piece and the resistance value of the first ELG by detecting this resistance value existing when the front end positions (Tops) are detected.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic storage medium including a surface coated with a first coating layer material having an elementary composition, and a magnetic head including a surface coated with a second coating layer material having the elementary composition.