Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger. The rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. A middle strut extends in a width direction of the trace gimbal, adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and connecting to a slider tongue. The front outrigger includes a strut form bent away from a load beam reference plane at an angle ?. In some embodiments, the outer struts include a second strut form disposed on the rear outrigger. The second strut form can be bent toward the load beam reference plane at the angle ?.

Abstract: A bender beam actuator includes a first layer of piezoelectric material and a second layer of piezoelectric material overlying a portion of the first layer of piezoelectric material, where a length of the first layer of piezoelectric material is at least 2% greater than a length of the second layer of piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for a hard disk drive includes a primary dimple having a secondary structure protruding from the primary dimple, where a flexure is movably coupled with a load beam via the primary dimple, and where the secondary structure is configured to restrict the point of contact between the load beam and the flexure. Such an arrangement avoids any shift in the axis of rotation of the flexure, and the attached slider, due to any undesirable protrusion from the primary dimple which may arise in the manufacturing process. Examples of secondary structures include a micro-dimple, a ridge, and an embedded mass of material.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for supporting a disk drive includes a slider, a load beam, a ring gimbal affixed to the load beam, and a flexure. The gimbal includes a curved outer gimbal strut comprising a protrusion located between a first straight section of the curved outer gimbal strut and a second straight section of the curved outer gimbal strut. The flexure includes a first end extending along the load beam through a center region of a longitudinal axis of the head gimbal assembly and second end that includes a plurality of bond pads electrically coupled to the slider.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a suspension assembly includes a support plate including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, a wiring member including a gimbal portion and provided on the support plate, and a magnetic head on the gimbal portion. The gimbal portion includes a first welded portion located near the proximal end portion and welded to the support plate, a second welded portion located near the distal end portion and welded to the support plate, a tongue portion between the first welded portion and the second welded portion, supported displaceably to the support plate, and on which the magnetic head is mounted, and a limiter extending from the tongue portion toward the second welded portion.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for supporting a disk drive includes a slider, a load beam, a ring gimbal affixed to the load beam, and a flexure. The gimbal includes a curved outer gimbal strut comprising a protrusion located between a first straight section of the curved outer gimbal strut and a second straight section of the curved outer gimbal strut. The flexure includes a first end extending along the load beam through a center region of a longitudinal axis of the head gimbal assembly and second end that includes a plurality of bond pads electrically coupled to the slider.

Abstract: A data storage device can employ a microactuator system that efficiently translates longitudinal microactuator strain into movement in-plane with a mid-plane of a gimbal tongue. A gimbal tongue may be suspended from a load beam with a transducing head mounted to the gimbal tongue and the transducing head separated from a magnetic recording medium by an air bearing. A microactuator attached to the gimbal tongue can be positioned so that a mid-plane of the microactuator is congruent with a mid-plane of the gimbal tongue.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes attaching a die to a beam, wherein the die comprises an array of transducers positioned in a transducer region of the die, a first region extending from the transducer region to a first end of the die and a second region extending from the transducer region to a second end of the die. The first region of the die is attached to the beam. The transducer region and the second region are not attached to the beam.

Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.

Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a rotatable mass to a body including a flexure layer, and a method for assembling and manufacturing the same. The flexure layer includes an inner region operable to be coupled to the rotatable mass via a bearing assembly, an outer region operable to be coupled to the body, and a flexure element including a first end coupled to the inner region and a second end coupled to the outer region.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.

Abstract: A method produces a coil sheet from an initial coil sheet in which a conductor layer, a thermally resistant insulating layer, a thermosetting, uncured adhesive layer, and a base layer are stacked in this order. The method includes a first cutting step of cutting the conductor layer into a predetermined shape through etching, and a second cutting step of cutting, after the first cutting step, the insulating layer and the adhesive layer into the predetermined shape through etching.

Abstract: Magnetic memory cells, methods of fabrication, semiconductor device structures, and memory systems are disclosed. A magnetic cell core includes at least one magnetic region (e.g., a free region or a fixed region) configured to exhibit a vertical magnetic orientation, at least one oxide-based region, which may be a tunnel junction region or an oxide capping region, and at least one magnetic interface region, which may comprise or consist of iron (Fe). In some embodiments, the magnetic interface region is spaced from at least one oxide-based region by a magnetic region. The presence of the magnetic interface region enhances the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) strength of the magnetic cell core. In some embodiments, the PMA strength may be enhanced more than 50% compared to that of the same magnetic cell core structure lacking the magnetic interface region.

Abstract: A thermal assisted magnetic recording head executing magnetic recording while locally heating a magnetic recording medium includes a plasmon generator generating surface plasmon and generating near-field light from the surface plasmon at an end surface situated on an air bearing surface facing the magnetic recording medium, a main pole being in contact with the plasmon generator and exposed on the air bearing surface, a metal protective layer situated on an opposite side to the plasmon generator when viewed from the main pole and positioned to overlap with a part of the main pole when viewed from one side in a down track direction, and an overcoat protective layer covering the metal protective layer. The overcoat protective layer is formed on a flat surface at least at a position where it overlaps with the main pole when viewed from one side in the down track direction, and the metal protective layer configures a part of the flat surface.

Abstract: A server includes a mid-plane board, a storage backplane module, a plurality of first storage units, a vertical interposer board, a first electronic module, a second electronic module and a plurality of power supply units. The vertical interposer board is vertically inserted and thus electrically coupled to the mid-plane board. The storage backplane module, the vertical interposer board, the first electronic module, the second electronic module and the power supply units are electrically connected to each other through the mid-plane board.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes a load beam and a laminated flexure that comprises a stainless steel layer, a copper trace layer, and a dielectric layer between the stainless steel layer and the copper trace layer. The laminated flexure includes a flexure tail that extends away from the load beam to a flexure tail terminal region. The copper trace layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in the flexure tail terminal region. The stainless steel layer includes a plurality of backing islands in the flexure tail terminal region. Each of the plurality of backing islands is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of flexure bond pads. A noble metal layer is disposed on the plurality of backing islands.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suspension for a head of a data storage device is disclosed, the method comprising etching at least one continuous cycle of a periodic pattern on the suspension, wherein a first part of the continuous cycle adjusts a pitch static attitude (PSA) of the suspension and a second part of the continuous cycle adjusts a roll static attitude (RSA) of the suspension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing sliders for a disk drives. The apparatus includes at least one gimbal structure adapted to engage at least one slider. The gimbal structure permits the slider to move in at least pitch and roll. A processing media is positioning opposite a surface on the least one slider to be processed. A preload mechanism biases the slider toward the processing media. One or more fluid bearing features are provided on at least one of the slider or the processing media configured to generate aerodynamic lift forces at an interface of the processing media with the surface of the slider during movement of the processing media relative to the slider. Various processing media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension includes two PZT microactuators that are attached at their first ends to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension, and are attached at their second ends to the gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the gimbal tongue through flexible connectors that can be formed integrally with the suspension's flexure. The flexible connectors are flexible enough so as not to interfere with the suspension's gimballing action. The flexible connectors transmit force from the PZTs to the gimbal as the PZTs expand and contract in order to rotate the gimbal and thus effect fine movements of the head slider. The flexible connectors are positioned laterally outwardly of the leading edge of the slider, thereby protecting both the connectors and the PZTs from damage induced by the slider striking the connectors during a shock event.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation suspension that comprises a loadbeam having a load point projection. The suspension further comprises a gimbal assembly having a point of contact that is in contact with the load point projection such that the gimbal assembly can gimbal about the load point projection. The gimbal assembly is cantilevered from the loadbeam and has an axis of rotation aligned with the load point projection and the point of contact. The suspension further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal assembly and positioned proximal of the point of contact. The pair of motors is mounted between a tongue and a pair of spring arms to rotate the tongue about the point of contact and the load point projection. The loadbeam further comprises a void into which the pair of motors extends.

Abstract: An integrated lead flexure for a disk drive head suspension formed from layers of material including a spring metal layer, a conductive material layer and an insulating material layer between the spring metal and conductive material layers. One embodiment includes a gimbal region having flying traces and one or more elongated tethers extending from the spring metal layer and along a distance of the flying traces that is less than the length of the flying traces. Another embodiment includes a load beam spring region traversing portion having unsupported traces and one or more elongated tethers extending from the spring metal layer and along a distance of the unsupported traces that is less than the length of the unsupported traces.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer, a write shield layer, a gap layer, and a thin-film coil are laminated on a substrate. The thin-film magnetic head has a leading shield part opposing the main magnetic pole layer on the substrate side of the main magnetic pole layer, a substrate side shield part has contact with the leading shield part. The thin-film coil has a substrate side coil layer between the main magnetic pole layer and substrate. The spaces to the substrate about a leading lower end face of the leading shield part, a shield upper end face of the substrate side shield part, and coil upper end face of the substrate side coil layer are formed to be equal to each other. The depth of the leading shield part is formed to be smaller than the depth of the substrate side shield part.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure. The suspension comprises a loadbeam and flexure attached thereto. The flexure comprises a pair of spring arms, a tongue located between the spring arms and structurally supported by the pair of spring arms, and a pair of struts. The struts are positioned respectively between the pair of spring arms and the tongue. The longitudinal axes of the struts are offset with respect to each other. The suspension further comprises a slider and a motor mounted on the flexure. The motor has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the axes of the struts and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the loadbeam. Electrical activation of the motor bends the pair of struts to move the slider.

Abstract: A disk drive head gimbal assembly includes a laminated flexure with a tongue having an actuated portion that rotates about an axis of rotation by expansion of a first adhered piezoelectric element relative to a second adhered piezoelectric element. A non-actuated portion of the tongue adjoins and forms a bridge between two outrigger beams, with a dimple contact location that is in contact with a dimple of the load beam and through which the axis of rotation passes. A read head is adhered, closer to its leading end than to its trailing end, to the actuated portion of the tongue. Each of the first and second piezoelectric elements has an anchored end that is adhered to the bridge, closer to the trailing end of the read head, and an opposing actuated end adhered to the actuated portion of the tongue, closer to the leading end of the read head.

Abstract: In a disk drive suspension circuit, in order to improve stability of the stable pitch static attitude (PSA) over changes in humidity, the suspended portion of the flexible circuit and/or the gimbal support arm are modified to change their response(s) to humidity. Additional hygroscopic material is added to the circuit, and/or the polyimide insulating layer or the coverlayer are selectively removed, so that the net bend in the suspended portion of the circuit over humidity is reduced, ideally to a condition of zero or close to zero net bending. Hygroscopic material such as the material of the insulating layer may be added to the stainless steel gimbal support arm, so that in response to humidity it bends in the opposite direction as the suspended portion of the circuit.

Abstract: A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension includes two PZT microactuators that are attached at their first ends to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the portion of the flexure that is rigidly attached to the load beam, and are attached at their second ends to the gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the gimbal tongue through flexible connectors that can be formed integrally with the suspension's flexure. The flexible connectors are flexible enough so as not to interfere with the suspension's gimballing action. The flexible connectors transmit force from the PZTs to the gimbal as the PZTs expand and contract in order to rotate the gimbal and thus effect fine movements of the head slider.

Abstract: A microactuator element is disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end of the element is secured to a first supporting portion by a first insulating adhesive. A second end is secured to a second supporting portion by a second insulating adhesive. A first conductor is disposed on the first supporting portion. A second conductor on the ground side is disposed on the second supporting portion. A first electrode is disposed on a first end of the element. A first electrically conductive paste is provided between the first electrode and the first conductor. A second electrode is disposed on a second end of the element. A second electrically conductive paste is provided between the second electrode and the second conductor.

Abstract: A gimbal portion of a flexure is provided with first supporting portions to which first end portions of microactuator elements are secured and second supporting portions to which second end portions are secured. A first tongue portion is formed between the pair of first supporting portions. A leading-side portion of a slider is movably disposed on the first tongue portion. A second tongue portion is formed between the pair of second supporting portions. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. A narrow hinge portion is formed between the first and second tongue portions. The tongue portions are pivotably connected by the hinge portion. The distal end of a dimple contacts the hinge portion at a point of contact.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure comprising flexure which comprises a gimbal. The gimbal comprises at least one spring arm and a tongue connected to the at least one spring arm. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a motor mounted on the gimbal, the motor comprising a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, the bottom side of the motor facing the flexure. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a damper located between the motor and the flexure, the damper contacting the tongue and the bottom side of the motor. The damper comprises one or both of elastic and viscoelastic material. Various other features of a dual stage actuation structure are provided.

Abstract: A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension includes two PZT microactuators that are attached at their first ends to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the portion of the flexure that is rigidly attached to the load beam, and are attached at their second ends to the gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the gimbal tongue through flexible connectors that can be formed integrally with the suspension's flexure. The flexible connectors are flexible enough so as not to interfere with the suspension's gimballing action. The flexible connectors transmit force from the PZTs to the gimbal as the PZTs expand and contract in order to rotate the gimbal and thus effect fine movements of the head slider.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a disc drive. The arm assembly has a load arm for supporting a slider and has a lift tab with a ramp-engaging region for parking the load arm when not in use. This ramp-engaging region has an outer surface defined by a first radius and a second radius different than the first radius.

Abstract: A disk drive head gimbal assembly includes a laminated flexure with a tongue having an actuated portion that rotates about an axis of rotation by expansion of an adhered piezoelectric element. A non-actuated portion of the tongue adjoins and forms a bridge between two outrigger beams, with a dimple contact location that is in contact with a dimple of the load beam and through which the axis of rotation passes. The piezoelectric element has an anchored end that is adhered to the non-actuated portion of the tongue, and an opposing actuated end adhered to the actuated portion. The actuated portion of the tongue includes first and second head mounting plates that are each adhered to the read head. Each of the head mounting plates is connected to the non-actuated portion of the tongue by an elongated compliant member that is oriented radially with respect to the dimple contact location.

Abstract: Approaches to a mass balanced flexure gimbal assembly for controlling the sway mode of the loadbeam portion of the suspension of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a hard-disk drive (HDD). The sway mode of concern is that which is excited when a head slider is actuated by a plurality of piezo actuation devices of a secondary actuation system. A suspension includes a mass attached to the suspension flexure and configured for balancing a moment force about the gimbal, about which a slider rotates when microactuated. The mass is located on the side of the slider opposing the side on which the piezo actuation devices are mounted, to counteract the mass of the piezo devices.

Abstract: A suspension assembly used in magnetic disk drives includes a load beam and a gimbal assembly coupled to an end of the load beam. The gimbal assembly includes a support having a left outrigger and a right outrigger, first tethers or connectors disposed along the left outrigger, second tethers or connectors disposed along the right outrigger, and a flexible circuit assembly that includes a left electrical trace and a right electrical trace. The flexible circuit assembly is coupled to the support through the first tethers or connectors that couple the left electrical trace to the left outrigger and the second tethers or connectors that couple the right electrical trace to the right outrigger. The first and second tethers or connectors are made of stainless steel with a polyimide coating and there are three first tethers or connectors and three second tethers or connectors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexure for a head/gimbal assembly suspension for a disk drive. The flexure comprises a metal base layer that includes two outrigger beams and a support island supported by a pair of beams extending from a flexure tongue. The flexure further comprises: a trace layer that is disposed over the base layer that includes a plurality of conductive traces, each conductive trace having a curved section that terminates in a trace termination pad; and a dielectric layer disposed between the trace and base layers including a portion underlying the trace termination pads and overlying the support island. The support island is supported by the pair of beams extending from the flexure tongue and is sized to fully support the trace termination pads of the conductive traces.

Abstract: A near-field light generating element has a core that propagates light flux from a light incident side to a light emission side while focusing the propagating light flux. A near-field light generating portion in the form of a metal film generates near-field light from the light flux. The core includes a first core, and a second core covering a side surface of the first core, and the core is formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from a Z direction. The metal film is placed on a side surface in the core, and is formed so that a width of an interface between the metal film and the core is narrower than a width of the side surface of the core.

Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a slider on which a head element is mounted is arranged at a tip end part of a load beam. The head support mechanism includes a support projection arranged at the tip end part of the load beam, a gimbal part including the slider and arranged to support the slider in a revolvable manner around the support projection, a displacement member arranged to revolve the slider around the support projection, and a counter balance aligned along a symmetric axis of the gimbal part so as to align a centroid of the gimbal part including the slider with the support projection.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a head suspension includes detaching a slider 225 from a tongue 221 of the head suspension and removing an adhesive 227 remaining on the tongue 221. Removing the adhesive 227 remaining on the tongue 221 includes feeding a solvent 243, which promotes the removal of the adhesive 227, to a part of the tongue 221 where the adhesive 227 remains and promoting the removal of the remaining adhesive 227 from the tongue 221 by applying physical energy to the adhesive remaining part on the tongue 221. The physical energy is produced by heating, supersonic vibration, and the like. The method easily removes the adhesive 227 from the tongue 221 without directly applying mechanical force to the tongue 221, thereby improving yields.

Abstract: A flexure is capable of securing strength of the flexure while surely preventing from deteriorating electric characteristic thereof. The flexure includes a metal substrate, an insulating layer formed on the metal substrate, and a wiring pattern arranged on the insulating layer and having a first end connected to the head and a second end that is provided with a terminal for external connection. The insulating layer extends a back of the terminal and a surrounding portion of the back. The metal substrate has an isolated portion that is on the back of the terminal through the insulating layer and is separated from the other portion of the metal substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure comprising flexure which comprises a gimbal. The gimbal comprises at least one spring arm and a tongue connected to the at least one spring arm. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a motor mounted on the gimbal, the motor comprising a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, the bottom side of the motor facing the flexure. The dual stage actuation structure further comprises a damper located between the motor and the flexure, the damper contacting the tongue and the bottom side of the motor. The damper comprises one or both of elastic and viscoelastic material. Various other features of a dual stage actuation structure are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure. The suspension comprises a loadbeam and flexure attached thereto. The flexure comprises a pair of spring arms, a tongue located between the spring arms and structurally supported by the pair of spring arms, and a pair of struts. The struts are positioned respectively between the pair of spring arms and the tongue. The longitudinal axes of the struts are offset with respect to each other. The suspension further comprises a slider and a motor mounted on the flexure. The motor has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the axes of the struts and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the loadbeam. Electrical activation of the motor bends the pair of struts to move the slider.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure. The suspension comprises a loadbeam and flexure attached thereto. The flexure comprises a pair of spring arms, a tongue located between the spring arms and structurally supported by the pair of spring arms, and a pair of struts. The struts are positioned respectively between the pair of spring arms and the tongue. The longitudinal axes of the struts are offset with respect to each other. The suspension further comprises a slider and a motor mounted on the flexure. The motor has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the axes of the struts and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the loadbeam. Electrical activation of the motor bends the pair of struts to move the slider.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation suspension that comprises a loadbeam having a load point projection. The suspension further comprises a gimbal assembly having a point of contact that is in contact with the load point projection such that the gimbal assembly can gimbal about the load point projection. The gimbal assembly is cantilevered from the loadbeam and has an axis of rotation aligned with the load point projection and the point of contact. The suspension further comprises a pair of motors mounted on the gimbal assembly and positioned proximal of the point of contact. The pair of motors is mounted between a tongue and a pair of spring arms to rotate the tongue about the point of contact and the load point projection. The loadbeam further comprises a void into which the pair of motors extends.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fabricating a bond pad for electrically connecting a laser diode to a slider and a TAR head in a HDD. The bond pad is deposited on a surface of the head that is perpendicular to the air bearing surface (ABS). The head is diced and lapped to expose the bond pad on a top surface of the head and mounted on a slider. The laser diode and a sub-mount may be coupled to the top surface of the slider—i.e., the surface opposite the ABS—by connecting to the bond pads. Specifically, both the laser diode and the sub-mount have electrodes thereon that are perpendicular to the bond pads. Conductive bonding material is used to bond the laser diode and the sub-mount to the bond pads.

Abstract: The problem of the present invention is to provide a circuit board comprising a shape retention unit capable of thinning while maintaining mechanical strength. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by providing a circuit board comprising a metal supporting substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate, and a wiring layer formed on the above-mentioned first insulating layer, wherein an open area is formed in the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate, and the circuit board comprises a shape retention unit having a second insulating layer contacting with the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate and a reinforcing layer formed on the above-mentioned second insulating layer, and bridging the above-mentioned metal supporting substrate divided by the above-mentioned open area.

Abstract: A suspension for a HGA comprises a flexure having a suspension tongue arranged for supporting a slider, which comprising a stainless steel layer and a dielectric layer formed thereon. The dielectric layer has a top surface and bottom surface, a plurality of bonding pads are formed on the top surface at a leading portion of the suspension tongue and arranged for connecting with the slider, and at least two separate supporting pieces are formed on the bottom surface and located at a corresponding position with the bonding pads, thereby releasing stress generated on the bonding pads. The invention also discloses a HGA and a disk drive unit with the same. The invention can release the stress generated on the bonding pads of the suspension, reduce the temperature impact to the suspension, and in turn, reduce thermal crown change of the slider, thereby improving the reading and writing performance.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly of a single or dual stage actuator is provided with gold at a tongue/dimple interface where a dimple of a supporting loadbeam contacts a tongue on the gimbal assembly. Using gold at the tongue/dimple interface greatly reduces the amount of wear particles formed during assembly and operation of the microactuator. The tongue may include a gold coating on the tongue at the tongue/dimple interface, or the tongue may have a hole etched in a stainless steel layer at the tongue/dimple interface to expose a gold layer disposed below the stainless steel layer. The tongue portion of the tongue/dimple interface may also be formed from a gold-coated copper pad with a polymer coating over the gold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main pole, a trailing shield opposing the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and a high-frequency oscillator between a distal end portion of the main pole and the trailing shield configured to produce a high-frequency magnetic field. The high-frequency oscillator includes a lower end surface facing the recording medium and an upper end surface substantially parallel to the lower end surface. The width of the lower end surface in a track-width direction is smaller than that of the upper end surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a head gimbal assembly (HGA) that detects a contact event. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a load beam coupled to a plate via a gimbal. The plate has a cantilevered ramp limiter which extends forward from the gimbal to engage a ramp load/unload structure. A slider is affixed to a lower surface of the plate opposite the gimbal while a strain gage is affixed to the ramp limiter.