Abstract: The present invention has the purpose of providing an electric-current-generated magnetic field assist type spin-current-induced magnetization reversal element that utilizes magnetization reversal based on pure spin current. The electric-current-generated magnetic field assist type spin-current-induced magnetization reversal element of the present invention includes a first ferromagnetic metal layer with a varying magnetization direction; spin-orbit torque wiring that adjoins the first ferromagnetic metal layer and that extends in a second direction in a plane orthogonal to a first direction normal to the first ferromagnetic metal layer; and electric-current-generated magnetic field assist wiring that is arranged so as to be electrically insulated from the first ferromagnetic metal layer by an insulating layer and in which flows an electric current I0 for forming a magnetic field H0 that assists magnetization reversal of the first ferromagnetic metal layer.

Abstract: A dual perpendicular magnetic recording writer is disclosed wherein first and second dynamic fly height (DFH) heaters WDFH1 and WDFH2, are formed in first and second writers, respectively, on a slider in a head gimbal assembly. In one embodiment, WDFH1 and WDFH2 have front sides that are recessed behind first and second back gap connections (BGC), respectively, and join together at their respective backsides behind the interconnect which connects a bucking coil and driving coil each symmetrically disposed about a center plane separating the two writers. In another embodiment with a separate bucking coil in each writer, WDFH1 and WDFH2 are formed behind separate interconnects. Magnetic spacing loss is reduced compared with a single DFH heater spread across both writers. Close point at touchdown in a cross-track direction and the size of the touchdown area are controlled by applying a WDFH1:WDFH2 power ratio from 100:0 to 0:100.

Abstract: A dual PMR writer is disclosed wherein the better of the two writers on a slider is integrated into a head gimbal assembly to improve area density capability mean and sigma values, and the other writer is disabled. Each of a driving coil (DC) and bucking coil (BC) have two outer portions that form a U shape with a front side, and have a center portion connected to each of the two outer portions with a narrow arm in which direct current resistance (DCR) is enhanced during a write process. As a result, when writer (coil) induced write gap (WG) protrusion is overlaid on the dynamic fly height (DFH) protrusion profile, the net WG protrusion profile has a maximum value at a cross-track position aligned with a main pole tip in the better writer thereby substantially minimizing magnetic spacing loss compared with conventional dual PMR writers.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a main pole, an expansion member, and a heater. The main pole has an end face located in a medium facing surface. The expansion member is located farther from the medium facing surface than is the main pole and adjacent to the main pole in a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface. The heater heats the expansion member. The expansion member has a linear expansion coefficient higher than that of the main pole.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a write pole and at least one coil. The write pole has a pole tip and a yoke. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The coil(s) include a plurality of turns a first distance from the pole and at least one additional turn a second distance from the pole. The first distance is different from the second distance. The at least one additional turn extends over at least part of two of the plurality of turns, has a length in a stripe height direction perpendicular to the ABS and has a height in a down track direction. The length is greater than the height.

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

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field to a recording layer of a recording medium, a spin torque oscillator adjacent to the main magnetic pole in a vicinity of a disk-facing surface confronting the recording medium, a recording coil configured to excite the main magnetic pole, a recording current control circuit configured to supply a recording current to the recording coil, a constant current supply circuit configured to supply a constant current to the spin torque oscillator, and an inverted current supply circuit configured to supply an inverted current having a polarity different from the constant current to the spin torque oscillator.

Abstract: A measuring circuit system in a magnetic field measuring apparatus of the invention has an amplifier and a band-pass filter connected in sequence on an output terminal side of the TMR element, the band-pass filter is a narrow-range band-pass filter such that a peak pass frequency of the filter that is a center is a basic frequency selected from a range of 10 to 40 GHz and a band width centered around the basic frequency is a narrow range of ±0.5 to ±4 GHz; and with the measuring circuit system, an S/N ratio (SNR) of 3 dB or greater is obtained, the SNR being defined by a ratio of an amplitude S of a high-frequency generated signal induced by the TMR element to a total noise N that is a sum of a head noise generated by the TMR element and a circuit noise generated by the amplifier. With such a configuration, an in-plane high-frequency magnetic field generated by a microwave-assisted magnetic head is reliably and precisely measured.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a main pole of a recording head includes a first magnetic pole layer and a second magnetic pole layer laminated on the trailing side of the first magnetic pole layer. The first magnetic pole layer includes a tapered portion and a first tip portion. The second magnetic pole layer includes a tapered portion and a second tip portion. A width in a track direction of the second tip portion is smaller than that of the first tip portion. The high-frequency oscillator is between the second tip portion and the trailing shield and includes a width in the track direction substantially equal to the width in the track direction of the second tip portion, and a height of the first tip portion is taller than that of the second tip portion.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head that a write pole, an electrically conductive coil coupled to the write pole for generating magnetic flux in the write pole in the presence of electrical write current, and a spin torque oscillator (STO) that injects auxiliary magnetic flux to the write pole in a direction generally orthogonal to the write pole to facilitate magnetization switching of the write pole. The STO comprises a stack of layers including electrodes, a pinned ferromagnetic layer having a fixed, a free ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization free to rotate, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the pinned and free layers. The free layer may be oriented either substantially orthogonal to the write pole or substantially parallel to the write pole, in which latter embodiment a flux guide may be located between the free layer and the write pole for directing the auxiliary magnetic flux from the free layer to the write pole.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head for perpendicular recording includes a first magnetic core includes a main pole configured to produce a recording magnetic field, and a return pole configured to reflux magnetic flux from the main pole to form a magnetic circuit in conjunction with the main pole, a first coil configured to excite magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit, side shields arranged individually on opposite sides of the main pole transversely relative to a track so as to be magnetically separated from the main pole and formed integrally with the return pole, a second magnetic core configured to form a physically closed magnetic path, a part of which comprises the return pole, and a second coil wound around the second magnetic core and configured to excite magnetic flux in the closed magnetic path.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a pole layer accommodated in a groove. The pole layer has a track width defining portion and a wide portion. The pole layer includes a plurality of magnetic films stacked. At least one of the plurality of magnetic films includes a first portion included in the track width defining portion, a second portion included in the wide portion, and a third portion coupling the first and second portions to each other. In a cross section passing through the center of the pole layer taken in the track width direction, the second portion is smaller than the first portion in thickness and the top surface of the third portion is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to a medium facing surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field, a return pole opposed to a trailing side of the main pole across a write gap and configured to return magnetic flux from the main pole, a coil configured to excite magnetic flux in the main pole, a spin-torque oscillator located between respective facing surfaces of the return pole and an end portion of the main pole on the recording-medium side and configured to produce a high-frequency magnetic field, a current source configured to apply current to the spin-torque oscillator through the return and main poles, and a nonmagnetic layer provided in at least one of the poles and extending from a facing surface of the at least one of the poles, which faces the spin-torque oscillator, in a direction across the facing surface.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system has a write head having a main coil (the write coil) and main pole (the write pole) that directs write flux in a direction perpendicular to the recording layer in the magnetic recording medium, and a transverse auxiliary pole (TAP) that injects auxiliary magnetic flux into the write pole at an angle to the primary or perpendicular axis of the write pole. The additional flux from the TAP, which is injected non-parallel to the primary magnetization of the write pole, exerts a torque on the magnetization of the write pole, thereby facilitating magnetization reversal of the write pole. The TAP is coupled to the main coil but not electrically connected to it. A separate passive coil, not electrically connected to the main coil, may be wrapped as a loop around the main pole and the TAP. Alternatively, the TAP may be located near one of the electrically conductive turns of the main coil.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system has a write head having a main coil (the write coil) and main pole (the write pole) that directs write flux in a direction perpendicular to the recording layer in the magnetic recording medium, and an auxiliary coil and auxiliary pole that injects magnetic flux into the write pole at an angle to the primary or perpendicular axis of the write pole. The additional flux from the auxiliary pole, which is injected non-parallel to the primary magnetization of the write pole, exerts a relatively large torque on the magnetization of the write pole, thereby facilitating magnetization reversal of the write pole. Electrical circuitry is connected to the main coil and the auxiliary coil to generate the auxiliary flux simultaneous with the switching of the magnetization of the write pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system has a write head having a main helical coil (the write coil) and main pole (the write pole) that directs write flux in a direction perpendicular to the recording layer in the magnetic recording medium, and an auxiliary coil and auxiliary pole that injects magnetic flux into the write pole at an angle to the primary or perpendicular axis of the write pole. The auxiliary coil is preferably a helical coil wrapped around the auxiliary pole. The additional flux from the auxiliary pole, which is injected non-parallel to the primary magnetization of the write pole, exerts a relatively large torque on the magnetization of the write pole, thereby facilitating magnetization reversal of the write pole. Electrical circuitry is connected to the main coil and the auxiliary coil to generate the auxiliary flux simultaneous with the switching of the magnetization of the write pole.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for distinguishing spatial and thermal defects on perpendicular media. The magnetic domains of the perpendicular media are oriented to have a first polarity, scanned using a read head, oriented to have a second polarity and scanned again. The signals from the read head are combined to produce output signals having improved signal to noise ratios from which the locations of spatial and thermal defects can be identified and distinguished.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording write head that a write pole, an electrically conductive coil coupled to the write pole for generating magnetic flux in the write pole in the presence of electrical write current, and a spin torque oscillator (STO) that injects auxiliary magnetic flux to the write pole in a direction generally orthogonal to the write pole to facilitate magnetization switching of the write pole. The STO comprises a stack of layers including electrodes, a pinned ferromagnetic layer having a fixed, a free ferromagnetic layer having a magnetization free to rotate, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the pinned and free layers. The free layer may be oriented either substantially orthogonal to the write pole or substantially parallel to the write pole, in which latter embodiment a flux guide may be located between the free layer and the write pole for directing the auxiliary magnetic flux from the free layer to the write pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system has a write head having a main helical coil (the write coil) and main pole (the write pole) that directs write flux in a direction perpendicular to the recording layer in the magnetic recording medium, and an auxiliary coil and auxiliary pole that injects magnetic flux into the write pole at an angle to the primary or perpendicular axis of the write pole. The auxiliary coil is preferably a helical coil wrapped around the auxiliary pole. The additional flux from the auxiliary pole, which is injected non-parallel to the primary magnetization of the write pole, exerts a relatively large torque on the magnetization of the write pole, thereby facilitating magnetization reversal of the write pole. Electrical circuitry is connected to the main coil and the auxiliary coil to generate the auxiliary flux simultaneous with the switching of the magnetization of the write pole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic head and particularly to improvement of its recording element. The recording element includes a first magnetic film, a second magnetic film, a coil film, and an insulating film. The first magnetic film has a first pole portion. The second magnetic film has a second pole portion opposed to the first pole portion with a magnetic gap film therebetween and is joined to the first magnetic film at a back gap portion that is located in a rearward position with respect to a medium facing surface. The coil film extends around the back gap portion, and the insulating film encloses the coil film. Moreover, the second magnetic film entirely covers the insulating film.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head is provided that has a first coil layer is electrically connected to a second coil layer through contact layers. A laminator has a main magnetic pole layer and a gap layer which are formed between the first and second coil layers and above the contact layers. At both sides of the laminator, first insulating layers are formed. A second insulating layer is formed from a top surface of the laminator to top surfaces of the first insulating layers. An inclined surface is formed in each of the first insulating layers, and in the second insulating layer, the inclined surface is formed on the inclined surface of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: A magnetic data recording system that can directly measure soft underlayer spacing of a perpendicular magnetic write head during operation. The soft underlayer spacing of the magnetic write head can be determined by measuring the magnetic inductance of the write head. The inductance of the write head varies with changes in the distance between the write pole and the soft underlayer of the magnetic medium. By connecting the write head with magnetic inductance measuring circuitry, the soft underlayer spacing can be constantly monitored during operation of the magnetic data recording system. The system can also include active fly height control such as a thermal fly height control capability. By directly measuring the soft underlayer spacing in real time during use of the data recording system, the actively fly height controlling features can be operated efficiently to precisely maintain a desired spacing between the write pole and the soft underlayer of the magnetic medium.

Abstract: Provided is a perpendicular magnetic recording head and a method of manufacturing the same. The perpendicular magnetic recording head that includes a main pole, a return yoke, and a return yoke tip, wherein the main pole and the return yoke tip that faces the main pole with a gap therebetween have the same width in a cross-track direction, and the method comprises: (a) sequentially forming a first magnetic layer for forming the main pole, the non-magnetic layer for forming a gap between the main pole and the return yoke tip, and a second magnetic layer for forming the return yoke tip; (b) patterning the second magnetic layer so that the second magnetic layer contacts the non-magnetic layer as much as a predetermined throat height; (c) forming the main pole and the return yoke tip by trimming the second magnetic layer and the first magnetic layer in a shape having the same width in the cross-track direction; and (d) forming a return yoke on the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: In a perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a main magnetic pole layer and a return yoke layer which are laminated with a magnetic gap layer interposed therebetween, a nonmagnetic throat height determining layer and a return yoke reinforcement layer made of a magnetic material having a saturated magnetic flux density higher than that of the return yoke layer are provided on the magnetic gap layer. The nonmagnetic throat height determining layer has a front end face parallel to the medium-opposing surface at a position retracted by a desirable throat height from the medium-opposing surface. The return yoke reinforcement layer is formed directly under the return yoke layer so as to extend at least from the front end face of the nonmagnetic throat height determining layer to the upper face thereof, and is exposed at the medium-opposing surface between the magnetic gap layer and return yoke layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer and an auxiliary yoke layer that overlaps the main magnetic pole layer as viewed in a top view and is magnetically coupled to the main magnetic pole layer. The main magnetic pole layer includes a pole straight part exposed to an opposing surface opposite a recording medium, and a flared part that extends from the pole straight part in a height direction, the flared part broadening in a track width direction as the flared part extends in the height direction. The auxiliary yoke layer includes a flared part that extends from the recording medium-opposing surface, the flared part broadening in the track width direction as the flared part extends in the height direction. The flared part of the auxiliary yoke layer is disposed at a position located closer to the rear side in the height direction than the flared part of the main magnetic pole layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer exposed to an opposing surface opposite a recording medium, applying a perpendicular recording magnetic field to the recording medium; a return yoke layer disposed in the opposing surface opposite the recording medium above or below the main magnetic pole layer, the return yoke layer receiving the recording magnetic field returning thereto after passing through the recording medium; and a planarized nonmagnetic layer filling the surroundings of the return yoke layer to planarized the return yoke layer. Inclined or curved surfaces are formed at both sides in a track width direction of the return yoke layer, the inclined or curved surfaces gradually broadening the dimension of the return yoke layer in the track width direction as the inclined or curved surfaces extend from front end surfaces thereof exposed to the opposing surface opposite the recording medium in the height direction.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium of the type that has spaced-apart pillars with magnetic material on their ends and with nonmagnetic trenches between the pillars is made with a method that allows use of a pre-etched substrate. The substrate has a generally planar surface at the trenches and comprises material that when heated will diffuse into the magnetic recording layer material and chemically react with one or more of the elements typically used in the recording layer. The pillars are formed of material that will not diffuse into the recording layer. After the recording layer is formed over the entire substrate so as to cover both the pillar ends and the trenches, the substrate is annealed. This results in the destruction or at least substantial reduction of any ferromagnetism in the recording layer material in the trenches so that the trenches are nonmagnetic.