Abstract: Various defects in an electronic assembly can be intelligently identified with a system having at least a server connected to a first capture module and a second capture module. The first capture module may be positioned proximal a first manufacturing line while the second capture module is positioned proximal a second manufacturing line. Images can be collected of first and second electronic assemblies by respective first and second capture modules prior to the images being sent to a classification module of the server where at least one defect is automatically detected in each of the first and second electronic assemblies concurrently with the classification module.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a head slider. The head slider includes a contact surface corresponding to a disk body, and the contact surface is a flat surface. The contact surface is coated with at least one smooth atomic-scale coating formed by a two-dimensional atomic crystal material. The head slider atomically contacts with the disk body.

Abstract: A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a magnetic device. The magnetic head of the magnetic device includes structure for protecting the media facing surface (MFS). The protective structure, which may be referred to as an air bearing surface overcoat (ABSOC) structure, includes an aluminum containing compound that is disposed on the slider and head. The ABSOC also includes a silicon containing compound and a carbon layer disposed thereover.

Abstract: A slider, such as for a data storage system, the slider having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an air-bearing surface, and a transducer proximate the trailing edge. The slider has a low surface energy coating on the air-bearing surface and a high surface energy coating on the transducer. In some embodiments, the high surface energy coating is present on a contact sensor.

Abstract: A module according to one embodiment includes a plurality of transducers; a tape bearing surface having a transducer region aligned with the transducers in a tape travel direction, and outer regions flanking the transducer region in a direction perpendicular to the tape travel direction; a first coating on the transducer region of the tape bearing surface; and a second coating on at least one of the outer regions of the tape bearing surface, the second coating being different than the first coating.

Abstract: Reducing slider bounce within a hard disk drive. A force is received at a first material while the first material is in contact with a disk of a hard disk drive; the first material comprising a portion that is flexible in a first direction and is substantially non-flexible in a second direction. The first direction is a direction that is normal to the disk and the second direction is a direction that is parallel to a surface of the disk. The force is substantially absorbed by the portion that is flexible to reduce the force associated with interaction between the first material and the disk, thereby reducing slider bounce within the hard disk drive.

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: A magnetic head suitable for high-density recording is provided at a high yield by a method that suppresses a reduction in reproducing output signal due to ion-beam irradiation. After an air-bearing surface of a read element, a magnetic-head element, or a row bar is mechanically polished, the air-bearing surface is irradiated with an ion beam, such that an orthographic projection of an ion-beam incidence direction onto the air-bearing surface forms an in-plane incidence angle of 30 degrees to 150 degrees or of 210 degrees to 330 degrees with respect to a track-width direction. Thereby, the formation of a short circuit due to ion-beam irradiation may be hindered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a head slider air bearing surface (ABS) in hard disk drives that mitigate fly height deviations. The invention mitigates these problems by providing an ABS of the head slider with elongated asymmetrical features that extend substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow caused by the rotating magnetic disk, in one or both of the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) positions of the head slider with respect to the magnetic disk. The head slider may be produced with a two step etch process, as opposed to a three step etch process. By reducing the number of etching steps, the head slider of the invention can be produced at lower costs and in less time as fewer masks and chamber pump-down steps are required.

Abstract: A method for forming a planarized surface for at least one bar of sliders for utilization in a hard disk drive is disclosed. In general, at least one bar of sliders is placed on an adhesive layer. A single thermoplastic layer is then provided above the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then heated to a softening temperature such that the single thermoplastic layer will flow between the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then cooled to form a planarized surface of both said single thermoplastic layer and said at least one bar of sliders at said adhesive layer.

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: A magnetic head slider includes at least one thin-film magnetic head formed on a trailing surface of the magnetic head slider, and an ABS to be faced a magnetic disk in operation. At least a part of the ABS is made of a giant magnetostrictive material.

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: An apparatus comprises a storage medium having a surface coated with a layer of a first solid lubricant, and a head separated from the storage medium by an air film, the head having an air bearing surface, wherein at least a portion of the air bearing surface is coated with a layer of a second solid lubricant.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a retrieving unit for converting magnetic information output from a recording medium into an electric signal, a writing unit having the function of electromagnetic conversion for writing the magnetic information in the recording medium in response to the electric signal, and a first protective film formed on the retrieving unit. A second protective film is formed on the first protective film. The coefficient of linear expansion of the second protective film is reduced in comparison with that of the first protective film. Furthermore, the first protective film is an alumina film; in contrast, the second protective film is a film made of an alumina film containing silicon oxide therein.

Abstract: Problems such as thermal pole tip protrusion result from thermal mismatch between the alumina and pole material during the writing process. This, and similar problems due to inadequate heat dissipation, have been overcome by dividing the bottom shield into two pieces both of which sit on top of a non-magnetic heat sink. Heat generated by the coil during writing is transferred to the non-magnetic heat sink whence it gets transferred to the substrate. With this approach, the head not only benefits from less field disturbance due to the small shield but also improves heat dissipation from the additional heat sink.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an air bearing surface protection film having good corrosive resistance, electrical insulative property and mechanical wear resistance in the state of an extremely thin film. In one embodiment, an air bearing surface protection film having good corrosive resistance, electrical insulative property and mechanical wear resistance in a state of an extremely thin film is obtained by disposing a thin silicon nitride film having high density, high electric resistance, chemical stability and high adhesion with a substrate as a lowermost air bearing surface protection film and disposing a film comprising tetrahedral amorphous carbon and nitrogen as an uppermost air bearing surface protection film.

Abstract: A head slider is designed to prevent collision against a surface of a disk due to an external impact and the like while a device is in use to avoid damages on an air bearing surface (“ABS”) of the head slider and the surface the disk. This is achieved by a structure of the head slider which produces a large positive pressure on a positive dynamic pressure generating section when the head slider comes close to the disk. More specifically, the ABS of the head slider comprises three surfaces of different positional heights, and the positive dynamic pressure generating section having a height equivalent to a mid level surface of the second highest position is provided on a portion of the head slider made of a material of high brittleness at each of locations near both side edges lateral to a tracking width of a magnetic head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a transducer slider. The method involves first coating a substrate with a radiation-sensitive layer and exposing the radiation-sensitive layer to radiation according to an intensity pattern. Preferably, the intensity pattern is provided using a grayscale mask. Once the image is developed into the radiation-sensitive layer, the image is transferred into the substrate to form a transducer slider having a surface profile comprising a tapered edge. In the alternative or in addition, the surface profile may comprise a rounded corner. The invention also relates to a structure for forming a transducer slider.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider comprises a slider body comprising a base portion made of an altic material and an element-forming portion, made of alumina, having formed thereon magnetic conversion elements. Slider-flying rails protruding beyond the surface of the slider body are provided. A first protection film is formed on the surface of the slider body to cover a boundary between the element-forming portion and the base portion to thereby prevent a lubricant of a magnetic disk from depositing on the boundary between the base portion and the element-forming portion. Second protection films are formed on the surfaces of the slider-flying rails to protect the magnetic conversion elements from being corroded and damaged. Further, when pneumatic bearings are provided on the slider-flying rails, third protection films are formed on the surfaces of the pneumatic bearings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head device includes forming a thin film magnetic head element over a substrate, the thin film magnetic head element including a magnetoresistance (MR) element. The substrate is cut such that the MR element is exposed on a side surface of the substrate. The side surface is then polished. Afterward, a magnetically degenerated layer is removed from the thin film magnetic head element along the side surface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction method comprising recording or reproducing a track of a rotating magnetic disk by means of a magnetic head, wherein the magnetic disk comprises a support and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and a binder; the track has a breadth of 2 ?m or less; and a frictional force between the magnetic layer and the magnetic head at innermost peripheral area of a recording region of the magnetic disk is 30 mN or less, a frictional force between the magnetic layer and a magnetic head at outermost peripheral area of a recording region of the magnetic disk is 20 mN or less, and a ratio of the frictional force at the innermost peripheral area to the frictional force at the outermost peripheral area is from 1.0 to 4.0.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a retrieving unit for converting magnetic information output from a recording medium into an electric signal, a writing unit having the function of electromagnetic conversion for writing the magnetic information in the recording medium in response to the electric signal, and a first protective film formed on the retrieving unit. A second protective film is formed on the first protective film. The coefficient of linear expansion of the second protective film is reduced in comparison with that of the first protective film. Furthermore, the first protective film is an alumina film; in contrast, the second protective film is a film made of an alumina film containing silicon oxide therein.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider including a plurality of rails adapted to face a magnetic disk. Each of the rails has a longitudinal extension direction substantially in a direction of rotation of the magnetic disk, and a protective film is provided on a floating surface of at least one of the rails. A thickness of the protective film at least in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the at least one of the rails is not uniform in the transverse direction.

Abstract: The density of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the density of a magnetic disc medium protective layer. Also, the Young's modulus of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the Young's modulus of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. Furthermore, the thickness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer is set to be between 1 and 10 nm, and the hardness of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be between 1.5 and 2.0 times the hardness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. It is thus possible to provide a highly reliable magnetic disc apparatus.

Abstract: A slider having feet for elevating the slider above the disc surface for contact starts and stops (“CSS”). The feet are formed of variable-hardness structure to provide desired wear resistance and limit damage to the disc surface via contact of the slider with the disc surface.

Abstract: A reader and a method of fabricating a reader having a thermally isolated magnetoresistive element is disclosed. The method includes fabricating a magnetoresistive read transistor between a top shield and a bottom shield. The magnetoresistive read transistor is then coated with a thermally isolating material. The magnetoresistive read transistor can be coated with a zirconia compound such as zirconium diboride. For additional thermal isolation, a layer of diamond-like carbon can be deposited over the thermally isolating material.

Abstract: A silicon coating on an air bearing surface for magnetic thin film heads. A thick silicon layer is provided to replace metallic layers such as TiW as an overcoat for thin film heads. The silicon layer will provide a durable head-disk interface and act as a reflective surface for fly height measurement. The silicon layer can be planarized with the pole tips to avoid any magnetic spacing loss. The thickness of the silicon coating is preferably between 125 and 6500 angstroms thick. The slider body may be fabricated from silicon such that the silicon coating is substantially identical to the silicon slider body, thereby preventing thermal mismatch therebetween. The silicon coating is preferably applied using a magnetron sputtering technique which provides a high rate of deposition of silicon to form a dense, low stress silicon layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider for writing or reading magnetic information while flying above a magnetic disk, includes a slider body provided with a magnetic head core, and a rail and/or a pad for generating lift, provided on the surface facing a recording medium of the slider body. A crown is formed at least at a position on the rail selected from the group consisting of the surface facing the recording medium of the slider body, the rail, and the pad. The rail includes side-rails formed on both sides of the surface facing the recording medium of the slider body and extending from the air inflow side to the air outflow side of the slider body. A groove is provided between the side-rails. At least one protrusion is provided on each side-rail on the air inflow side and/or on each side of the groove on the air inflow side. The protrusion protrudes more toward the magnetic disk than the side-rails.

Abstract: A magnetic head/slider construction and a magnetic data recording disk, as well as a method for fabricating the magnetic head/slider construction and the magnetic data storage disk. To practice the method, there is formed over the air bearing surface of each of a magnetic head/slider construction and a magnetic data storage disk a wear resistant carbon layer. Over each of the wear resistant carbon layers is then formed a lubricating carbon layer. The lubricating carbon layers may be formed in-situ upon the wear resistant carbon layers. The wear resistant carbon layers may be formed from nitrogenated wear resistant carbon materials having a nitrogen content of from about 15 to about 30 atomic percent and hydrogenated wear resistant carbon materials having a hydrogen content of from about 15 to about 25 atomic percent. The lubricating carbon layer is preferably formed from a hydrogenated lubricating carbon material having a hydrogen content of from about 30 to about 40 atomic percent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head slider for a magnetic head and the magnetic slider wherein the slider has non-linear rails formed in a floating surface thereof by processing including one of reactive ion etching, sputter etching and an ion milling, and side walls of the non-linear rails are polished after formation of the non-linear rails by the processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optimized pad design for a slider that minimizes the effect of mask alignment tolerances to allow for a more consistent N58 pad area and hence a more controllable burnish rate of the protruding pad. The protruding pad includes a first portion and a second portion formed by processing material to form the first and second portion wherein at least a quantity of the first portion comprises a first material type and the second portion comprises a second material type, the protruding pad further comprising a boundary interface separating the first material type from the second material type, the boundary interface having a position on the first portion that is dependent upon an alignment tolerance for the processing and that defines a surface area for the material of the second type, wherein the surface area of the material of the second type is negligibly affected by the position of the boundary interface.

Abstract: A slider is provided with air bearing surfaces. Each of the air bearing surfaces are constituted of a protective film and slider base body surfaces. The protective films, which are laminated on part of the slide base body surfaces, cover at least the ends of the electromagnetic transducers.

Abstract: At least part of the surface of a read/write element of the magnetic head surface is coated with low surface energy materials. The low surface energy materials have sufficient humidity resistance, wetting resistance, and hydrophobicity to repel water from the coated surfaces. Such properties yield improved corrosion resistance for the coated surfaces. The low surface energy materials include fluorocarbon compounds (FCOC) and special materials such as perfluoroalkylpolyoxyethyleneethanol. The low surface energy materials are coated on the magnetic heads as thin films. The thin films have a thickness in the range of 5-100 angstroms, but are preferred in the range of 10-20 angstroms. The thin films provide sufficient adhesion on and corrosion protection of the heads without decreasing their performance.

Abstract: A magnetic head and production method with excellent productivity with which a surface with fine irregularities is formed only on the bearing surface of the sliding member facing the magnetic recording medium to form a fine air flow path without changing the properties of the smooth surface of the core member that has been finish polished. The sliding properties and the magnetic properties can be improved with no damage to the magnetic recording medium by this surface with fine irregularities.

Abstract: An improved magnetic head includes a slider and a thin film element, the later of which is provided on a trailing side of the slider. The slider has core layers. The surfaces of the core layers are abraded so that the thickness of an &agr; phase constituting the, surface structures of the core layers may be reduced to a very small value. In this way, even if a carbon film is directly formed on the core layers, it is still possible to ensure a desired diffusion between the carbon film and the &agr; phase, which effectively prevents the carbon film from separation (peeling) and avoiding the formation of any spot on the carbon film.

Abstract: A slider 1 has an opposing surface to a recording medium. Thin film magnetic heads 2 and 3 are provided on the slider 1. The slider 1 has a protective film composed of a SiN film and a surface-lubricous layer thereon.

Abstract: The density of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the density of a magnetic disc medium protective layer. Also, the Young's modulus of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be higher than the Young's modulus of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. Furthermore, the thickness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer is set to be between 1 and 10 nm, and the hardness of the magnetic head protective layer is set to be between 1.5 and 2.0 times the hardness of the magnetic disc medium protective layer. It is thus possible to provide a highly reliable magnetic disc apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic data transducing slider is selectively textured, at least over its air bearing surface, to provide rounded nodules or rims adapted to support the normally aerodynamically supported slider when at rest on a specular surface of a data recording medium. The texturing substantially reduces the area of contiguous slider/medium contact as compared to the area of the air bearing surface, counteracting stiction and substantially reducing dynamic friction during head takeoffs and landings. Slider texturing eliminates the need for a dedicated contact or landing zone on the data recording medium, making more space available for storing data on the medium, and insuring a more uniform surface roughness over the entire surface of a medium that confronts the slider. The desired texture is formed according to a process that includes depositing chromium or another metal onto the slider substrate to provide metallic regions on the air bearing surface, particularly along opposite skis of the slider.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for a disc drive has an overcoat localized on the air bearing surface to provide a continuous covering over a leading portion of the air bearing surface. The overcoat terminates in a trailing cut-off line, and a trailing portion of the air bearing surface is not covered by overcoat. The overcoat also covers the pole tips of the transducer at a pole tip recession from the air bearing surface. The leading portion covered by the overcoat includes all of the air bearing surface that contacts the disc during contact/start/stop, which is protected by a uniform continuous overcoat layer. The trailing cut-off line is disposed at an angle to expose the trailing corners of the air bearing surface, such that all of the overcoat is elevated above the lowermost portion of the air bearing surface through pitch and roll angles of flying at inner and outer radii. Methods of applying the localized overcoat include subtractive and additive photolithographic deposition processes.

Abstract: A slider for supporting transducer elements in a disc drive. The slider including an edge protection feature for contact interface protection for head disc interface.

Abstract: An air bearing slider designed for operation at ultra-low flying heights. The air bearing slider has an air bearing surface having portions which are constructed from a low-friction, high-wear-resistance material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head slider including rails formed on the medium-facing surface on the magnetic disk side for generating buoyant force so that the slider flies and moves above a magnetic disk to write or read magnetic information. In the magnetic head slider, a first carbon film having corrosion resistance is provided on the surface of the rails provided on the medium-facing surface of the slider body through an adhesive layer, protrusions formed by alternately laminating an intermediate film and a second carbon film are provided on the first carbon film, and at least the outermost second carbon film of the second carbon films, which constitute each of the protrusions, has abrasion resistance.

Abstract: For removing re-deposited particulates produced during an etching process of a magnetic head slider and forming a minute chamfered portion, a polishing process is carried out by using polishing cloth such as non-woven polyester fabric after having formed rails of non-linear shape on a floating surface by the etching process. Thus, the re-deposited particulates produced during the etching process are removed, whereby the reliability of the floating characteristic of magnetic head is improved.

Abstract: A magnetic hard disk drive comprising a magnetic disk and a magnetic head slider, characterized in that said magnetic head slider is coated with a layer having a contact angle of 50° or more when measured by using a lubricant coated on the magnetic disk, is free from start failure due to stiction caused by adhesion of the lubricant to the slider surface.

Abstract: A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thin film magnetic head and its manufacturing method. A slider 1 is provided with base body surfaces 13 and 14 at its surface facing opposite a medium. An inductive thin film magnetic transducer 2 is provided with a first pole tip P1 and a second pole tip P2 whose front ends emerge at the base body surfaces 13 and 14 and indented portions 4 and 5 provided at the base body surfaces 13 and 14. A protective film 10 covers the base body surfaces 13 and 14 and indented portions 4 and 5. The thickness of the protective film 10 at the indented portions 4 and 5 is larger than the thickness at the base body surfaces 13 and 14. The magnetic films constituting the pole tips P1 and P2 can thus be reliably protected from oxidation, corrosion and the like, while minimizing the spacing loss.

Abstract: A slider for supporting transducer elements in a data storage system including a granular particle composition including multiple layers of particles for providing a contact interface between the slider and disc surface. The multiple particle layers provide an uneven surface structure for stiction control. The multiple particle layers provide for wear while maintaining an uneven surface structure for stiction control.

Abstract: Thin protective films for protecting a thin films device are formed on ABS (air bearing surfaces) of a slider, and thin films made of the same material as that of the protective films are formed on the surfaces of the protective films. The thickness &dgr; of each of the thin films can be 10 nm or more, and the ratio of the area of the thin films with respect to the air bearing surfaces can be, for example, 80% or less.