Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having a flat shield for improved gap thickness definition and control. The magnetic read head includes a sensor stack and hard bias layer formed at either side of the sensor stack. A SiNx hard bias capping layer is formed over the hard bias layers between the hard bias structure and the upper magnetic shield. The hard bias capping layer has an upper surface that has been planarized by chemical mechanical polishing that is co-planar with an upper surface of the sensor stack. The read sensor is constructed by a method wherein the hard bias capping layer is constructed of a material (e.g. SiNx) that is also used as a CMP stop layer and that can be planarized by chemical mechanical polishing while having some resistance to removal by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: A magnetic shield for a magnetoresistive (MR) reader has one or more lateral hard magnets and a ferromagnetic shielding layer with at least one hard sub-magnet in a lateral notch in the shielding layer. The notch allows the shielding layer to contact the sub-magnet on surfaces along multiple normal planes.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic read head having a balanced capacitive coupling with the substrate. The read head includes a magnetoresistive sensor with first and second magnetic, electrically conductive shields separated from a substrate by a layer of non-magnetic, electrically insulating material. A dummy magnetic shield is formed on the non-magnetic electrically insulating layer and is electrically connected with the second magnetic, electrically conductive shield. The dummy shield is formed to have a capacitive coupling with the substrate that matches the capacitive coupling of the first magnetic, electrically conductive shield with the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are generally directed to a magnetic shield capable of screening magnetic flux with in-plane anisotropy. Various embodiments of the present invention may have at least one magnetic shield. The shield may be constructed of a Cobalt-Iridium compound capable of providing in-plane anisotropy along a longitudinal plane of the shield.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes: a magneto resistance effect film of which electrical resistance varies corresponding to an external magnetic field; a pair of shields provided on both sides in a manner of sandwiching the MR film in a direction that is orthogonal to a film surface of the MR film; an anisotropy providing layer that provides exchange anisotropy to a first shield of the pair of shields in order to magnetize the first shield in a desired direction, and that is disposed on the opposite side from the MR film with respect to the first shield; and side shields that are disposed on both sides of the MR film in a track width direction and that include soft magnetic layers magnetically connected with the first shield.

Abstract: In a magnetic head to be used for a shingled recording method, degradation of a signal resolution and a decrease in a signal-to-noise ratio which are caused by an asymmetrical inter-bit transition curvature are prevented, and a low bit error rate is realized. A magnetic head includes a recording head and a reproducing head. The reproducing head includes a pair of magnetic shields and a sensor sandwiched between the pair of magnetic shields. The gap between the magnetic shields is formed so that the longitudinal direction thereof gets inclined by a certain angle with respect to a cross-track direction in line with the shape of a curvature of an inter-bit transition on an effective record track in a record pattern recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive reader includes a first magnetic shield element, a second magnetic shield element and a magneto-resistive sensor stack separating the first magnetic shield element from the second magnetic shield element. The first shield element includes two ferromagnetic anisotropic layers separated by a grain growth suppression layer.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes; an MR film that includes a pinned layer of which a magnetization direction is pinned, a free layer of which a magnetization direction varies, and a spacer that is disposed therebetween; a pair of shields that are disposed on both sides sandwiching the MR film in a direction orthogonal to a film surface of the MR film; and an anisotropy providing layer that provides anisotropy to a first shield so that the first shield is magnetized in a desired direction, and that is disposed on an opposite side from the MR film with respect to the first shield. The MR film includes a magnetic coupling layer that is disposed between the first shield and the free layer and that magnetically couples the first shield with the free layer.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first read shield and a second read shield and a reader stack between the first and second read shields. The first and second read shields each include a tilted magnetization layer closest to the reader stack to control magnetic field flux lines in a free layer of the reader stack and thereby improve a selectivity of the reader to independently sense and isolate media transitions.

Abstract: A magnetic shield that is capable of enhancing magnetic reading, such as in use as a data transducing head. A magnetic stack can have a read element with an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element may be positioned adjacent a shield layer with a continuously curvilinear sidewall and a shield feature may be positioned within the areal extent of the continuously curvilinear sidewall.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a data storage system includes a magnetic head having a main magnetic pole and a wrap around shield positioned around the main magnetic pole at an ABS thereof, a magnetic medium, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controlling mechanism electrically coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head that initiates rewriting of information of a recording track of the magnetic medium if a recording magnetic field applied to the recording track exceeds a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data to a first track of a magnetic medium using a magnetic head, determining characteristics consistent with data degradation from tracks adjacent to the first track and far tracks away from the first track using a controlling mechanism, and rewriting data in tracks determined to be degraded due to ATI and/or FTI.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor has at least a free sub-stack, a reference sub-stack and a front shield. The free sub-stack has a magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the planar orientation of the layer and extends to an air bearing surface. The reference sub-stack has a magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the free sub-stack. The reference sub-stack is recessed from the air bearing surface and a front shield is positioned between the reference sub-stack and the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive read sensor is described. The sensor is a magnetically responsive stack positioned between top and bottom electrodes on an air bearing surface. Current in the sensor is confined to regions close to the air bearing surface by a first multilayer insulator structure between the stack and at least one electrode to enhance reader sensitivity.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a magnetic had includes a top shield and a bottom shield positioned at an air bearing surface. A polarizer and a nonmagnetic layer are positioned between the top and bottom shields. An analyzer is positioned adjacent the nonmagnetic layer at a distance recessed from the air bearing surface. Current travels through the top shield, polarizer, nonmagnetic layer, and first analyzer.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive (MR) stack disposed between first and second shield layers in a direction orthogonal to the film surface; a first exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the first shield layer; a second exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the second shield layer; a bias magnetic field application layer that is disposed at an opposite surface of the MR stack from an air bearing surface (ABS); and pair of side shield layers that are positioned at both sides of the MR stack with respect to a track width direction. Each of the side shield layers includes a pair of magnetic layers that are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled through a side shield ruthenium layer.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a magnetic head for a disk drive. The methods include the steps of depositing a first non-magnetic spacer layer, depositing a plating seed layer on the first non-magnetic spacer layer and plating at least one side shield and a pole tip layer on the plating seed layer, each of the at least one side shield and the pole tip layer separated by a trench. Then the method includes depositing a first non-magnetic material in the trench using ion-beam assisted deposition and planarizing using a chemical-mechanical polishing step.

Abstract: A magnetic shield that is capable of enhancing magnetic reading, such as in use as a data transducing head. A magnetic stack can have a read element with an air bearing surface (ABS). The read element may be positioned adjacent a shield layer with a continuously curvilinear sidewall and a shield feature may be positioned within the areal extent of the continuously curvilinear sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to prevent a head characteristic from being deteriorated by re-deposition or damage which occurs when a sensor film is etched, a track width is narrowed, and the head characteristic is stabilized. According to one embodiment, when it is assumed that the thickness of the sensor film on an air bearing surface is T, and a distance between an end of a medium layer that is interposed between a free layer and a pinned layer which comprise the sensor film and an end of the sensor film lowest portion, a relationship of 1.2×T?X?2.5×T is satisfied, and the ends of a pair of magnetic films which are in contact with both sides in the track-width direction through an insulator do not exist in the track central portion from the free layer end.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetoresistive structure from a magnetoresistive stack that includes a plurality of layers. The method and system include providing a mask that exposes a portion of the magnetoresistive stack. The mask has at least one side, a top, and a base at least as wide as the top. The method and system also include removing the portion of the magnetoresistive stack to define the magnetoresistive structure. The method and system further include providing an insulating layer. A portion of the insulating layer resides on the at least one side of the mask. The method and system further include removing the portion of the insulating layer on the at least one side of the mask and removing the mask.

Abstract: In a read-write head, the shields can serve as magnetic flux conductors for external fields, so that they direct a certain amount of flux into the recording medium. This problem has been overcome by the addition to the shields of a pair of tabs located at the edges closest to the ABS. These tabs serve to prevent flux concentrating at the edges so that horizontal fields at these edges are significantly reduced. Said tabs need to have aspect ratios of at least 2 and may be either triangular or rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the tabs may be omitted and, instead, outer portions of the shield's lower edge may be shaped so as to slope upwards away from the ABS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention reduce generation of a magnetic field with a polarity reverse to that of the recording magnetic field, without deteriorating a gradient in the magnetic field. An embodiment of a magnetic disk device according to the present invention suppresses deviation and erase of already recorded data. In an embodiment, the perpendicular magnetic recording head includes the main magnetic pole, an auxiliary magnetic pole, a trailing shield disposed on the trailing side of the main magnetic pole with a non-magnetic film placed in-between, and side shields disposed on both the sides of the main magnetic pole in the direction of the track width with a non-magnetic film placed in-between. The trailing shield has on the trailing side a portion where film thickness is thinner on the trailing side than the thickness of its element in the height direction in its position facing the main magnetic pole.

Abstract: A magnetic write head having a magnetic write pole with a wrap around magnetic trailing shield. The wrap around magnetic trailing shield is separated by a first non-magnetic side gap at a first side of the write pole and by a second non-magnetic side gap at a second side of the write pole. The first second non-magnetic side gap is larger than the first non-magnetic side gap and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the first non-magnetic side gap. This design provides additional protection adjacent track interference at one side of the write pole and additional protection against magnetic write field loss at the other side of the write pole.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor comprises a nonmagnetic conductive layer, a free magnetization layer disposed on a first part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer, a fixed magnetization layer disposed on a second part of the nonmagnetic conductive layer different from the first part, upper and lower first magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and free magnetization layer interposed therebetween, upper and lower second magnetic shield layers opposing each other through the nonmagnetic conductive layer and fixed magnetization layer interposed therebetween, and an electrically insulating layer disposed between the lower second magnetic shield layer and the nonmagnetic conductive layer, while the lower first magnetic shield layer is arranged closer to the nonmagnetic conductive layer than is the lower second magnetic shield layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a magnetic shield in which all domain patterns and orientations are stable and which are consistently repeated each time said shield is exposed to an initialization field. The shield is given a shape which ensures that all closure domains can align themselves at a reduced angle relative to the initialization direction while still being roughly antiparallel to one another. Most, though not all, of these shapes are variations on trapezoids.

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole; a trailing shield, a main coil for causing the main magnetic pole to generate a perpendicular recording field, at least one secondary coil for generating an in-plane alternate-current (AC) magnetic field with a frequency in a microwave band from a magnetic recording gap between the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield, nonmagnetic films formed on magnetic recording gap facing surfaces that are defined by the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield, the main magnetic pole and the trailing shield being configured with first soil magnetic films, and second soft magnetic films formed further on the surfaces of the nonmagnetic films. The second soft magnetic films have larger anisotropy fields than the first soft magnetic films have.

Abstract: Read sensors and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. A read sensor as disclosed herein includes a first shield, a sensor stack including an antiparallel (AP) free layer, and insulating material disposed on the sensor stack. A aperture is formed through the insulating material above the sensor stack so that a subsequently deposited second shield is electrically coupled to the sensor stack through the aperture. The width of the aperture controls the current density that is injected into the top of the sensor stack. Also, hard bias structures may be formed to be electrically coupled to the sensor stack. The electrical coupling of the sensor stack and the hard bias structures allows current to laterally spread out as it passes through the sensor stack, and hence, provides a non-uniform current density.

Abstract: The pinning field in an MR device was significantly improved by using the Ru 4A peak together with steps to minimize interfacial roughness of the ruthenium layer as well as boron and manganese diffusion into the ruthenium layer during manufacturing. This made it possible to anneal at temperatures as high as 340° C. whereby a high MR ratio could be simultaneously achieved.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic transducer is described. The method and system include providing a magnetoresistive structure having a plurality of sides. At least one oxidation buffer layer covers at least the plurality of sides. The method and system also include providing at least one oxide layer after the oxidation buffer layer is provided. The oxide layer(s) reside between the sides and the oxidation buffer layer(s).

Abstract: A reader sensor comprises a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer, a read element formed therebetween, and a pair of permanent magnet layer respectively placed on two sides of the read element; and it further comprises a magnetic field generating means formed beside the read element and arranged for providing a magnetic field with a direction perpendicular to the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer, thereby stabilizing the reading performance of the reader sensor. The invention can stabilize the reading performance, ameliorate the unstable defective reader sensor, and decrease the waste and the manufacturing cost. The present invention also discloses a magnetic head, a HGA and a disk drive unit.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect element is structured in the manner that the antiferromagnetic layer interposed between the upper and lower shields is eliminated and the antiferromagnetic layer is positioned in a so-called shield layer. Therefore, it is realized to solve a pin reversal problem and to allow narrower tracks and narrower read gaps.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) reader is adjacent to at least one shield that extends from an air bearing surface (ABS) a first distance. The shield has a stabilizing feature that is contactingly adjacent the MR reader and extends from the ABS a second distance that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A magnetic shield that is capable of enhancing magnetic reading. In accordance with various embodiments, a magnetic element has a magnetically responsive stack shielded from magnetic flux and biased to a predetermined default magnetization by at least one lateral side shield that has a transition metal layer disposed between first and second ferromagnetic layers.

Abstract: Read elements and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. A read element as described herein includes a magnetoresistance (MR) sensor sandwiched between first and second shields. The read element uses the first shield as an active portion of the MR sensor. Instead of implementing an AFM pinning layer in the MR sensor, the first shield takes the place of the AFM pinning layer. The first shield is orthogonally coupled to the pinned layer through an orthogonal coupling layer, such as a thin layer of AFM material. Through this structure, the magnetic moment of the first shield pins the magnetic moment of the pinned layer transverse to the ABS of the read element, and an AFM pinning layer is not needed.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic write head includes: a magnetic pole; a pair of side shields on both sides, in a write-track width direction, of the magnetic pole with respective side gaps in between; a trailing shield on a trailing side of the magnetic pole and the pair of side shields with a trailing gap in between. Each of the magnetic pole, the side shield, the trailing shield, the side gap, and the trailing gap has an end face exposed on an air bearing surface. The trailing gap has a first regional part and a second regional part. The first regional part separates a trailing edge of the magnetic pole from the trailing shield, and the second regional part separates the pair of side shields from the trailing shield. All or a part of the second regional part has a thickness larger than a thickness of the first regional part.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method may be used to produce a magnetic element capable of detecting changes in magnetic states. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a magnetically responsive lamination of layers with a first portion and a laterally adjacent second portion. The second portion having a predetermined roughness between at least two layers capable of producing orange-peel coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetoresistive read element, first and second primary shields, and an auxiliary shield. The magnetoresistive read element is located between the first and the second primary shields, and the auxiliary shield is located between the magnetoresistive read element and the first primary shield. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of magnets located between a plurality of shields for a magnetoresistive element. The plurality of magnets is optionally offset from the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A current to perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetoresistance (MR) read head using current confinement proximal to an air bearing surface (ABS) is disclosed. A CPP MR read head includes a first shield, an MR sensor formed on the first shield, and a second shield contacting the MR sensor proximal to an ABS. The CPP MR read head further includes insulating material between the MR sensor and the second shield, where the insulating material is distal to the ABS to electrically isolate the MR sensor from the second shield distal to the ABS. Sense current injected from the second shield through the MR sensor and into the first shield is confined proximal to the ABS at a location where the second shield contacts the MR sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic head that reads information of a magnetic recording medium is provided. The magnetic head according to one embodiment includes: an MR element, formed with multilayer films, of which an electrical resistance changes according to an external magnetic field; a first shield layer that is disposed on a lower side in an lamination direction of the MR element; a second shield layer that is disposed on an upper side in the lamination direction of the MR element, and that applies voltage to the MR element together with the first shield layer; and side shield layers that are disposed on both sides of the MR element in a truck width direction. The side shield layers include soft magnetic layers and hard magnetic layers magnetized in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A pole tip shield for a write element of a recording head is disclosed. The pole tip shield is spaced from the pole tip in the leading edge direction to provide a magnetic wall angle to reduce ATI or adjacent track erasure to compensate for the skew angle of the head. In illustrated embodiments, the pole tip shield includes side portions. In illustrated embodiments the pole tip shield is generally “U” shaped and side portions of the pole tip shield include different thickness or width dimensions. In illustrated embodiments, the pole tip shield provides a magnetic wall angle for a rectangular shaped pole tip. Embodiments disclosed in the application include a trailing edge shield separated from the pole tip shield along an air bearing surface of the head by a non-magnetic gap portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vertical-current-type reproducing magnetic head includes a sensor film, an upper shield paired with a lower shield that together flow a current into the sensor film in a thickness direction of the sensor film, and magnetic-domain control magnetic films provided above both sides of the sensor film in a track width direction of the sensor film. The shield is formed via a nonmagnetic adhesion layer including a discontinuous region near the sensor film, and the sensor film contacts the upper shield. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a resist layer, etching a sensor film while using the resist layer as a mask, forming first insulating films, domain-control magnetic films, and nonmagnetic adhesion layers in a stacked manner, lifting-off the resist layer, and forming an upper shield that together with a lower shield flow current into the sensor film in a thickness direction of the sensor film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head including a write pole and a shield. The write pole has a pole tip face that is parallel to the air bearing surface of the magnetic recording head, a leading surface having a leading edge at the pole face, a first side surface having a first side edge at the pole face, a second side surface having a second side edge at the pole face, and a trailing surface having a trailing edge at the pole face. The shield surrounds the first side surface, the trailing surface, and the second side surface of the write pole tip, and is separated from the first side surface of the write pole tip by a first side gap, from the trailing surface of the write pole tip by a trailing gap, and from the second side surface of the write pole tip by a second side gap. There is a notch formed in the inner wall of the shield adjacent to the corner of the write pole tip formed by one side surface and the trailing surface of the write pole tip.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus to manufacture a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head in which a light source unit including a light source and a slider including an optical system are joined. The method comprises steps of: adhering by suction the light source unit with a back holding jig; bringing the light into contact with a slider back surface; applying a load to a load application surface of the light source unit by a loading means to bring a joining surface of the light source unit into conformity with the slider back surface; positioning the light source unit apart from the slider, and then aligning the light source with the optical system; bringing again the light source unit into contact with the slider; and applying a load again to the load application surface.

Abstract: A magnetic shield in which all domain patterns and orientations are stable and which are consistently repeated each time the shield is exposed to an initialization field, is disclosed. This is achieved by giving it a suitable shape which ensures that all closure domains can align themselves at a reduced angle relative to the initialization direction while still being roughly antiparallel to each other. Most, though not all, of these shapes are variations on trapezoids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an accumulation element with high resolving power and high output suitable for magnetic recording and reproducing at high recording density. According to one embodiment, a plurality of spin injection parts and are provided to increase the total amount of spin electrons. The spin accumulation element is composed of a non-magnetic conductor, a first magnetic conductor, a second magnetic conductor, and a third magnetic conductor, each of which are in contact with the non-magnetic conductor through the tunneling junction. An output voltage due to the spin accumulation effect is detected as a potential difference between the non-magnetic conductor and the third magnetic conductor.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a magnetic reader comprises first and second shields extending from an air bearing surface (ABS), a magnetoresistive stack is located between the first and second shields, and a flux guide is separated from the magnetoresistive stack while connecting the first and second shields. The flux guide magnetically couples the distal end of the magnetoresistive stack to the first shield.

Abstract: A magnetic head having an electrostatic shunt structure for preventing damage to the magnetic head during manufacture. A portion of the shunt structure is removed during manufacture, however another portion remains. In order to prevent the remaining portions of the shunt structure from picking up stray magnetic and electromagnetic fields, an electromagnetic shield, is provided between the remaining portions of the shunt structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes: a coil; a main pole; a first shield disposed backward of the main pole along a direction of travel of a recording medium; a first return path section connecting the first shield to the main pole; a second shield disposed forward of the main pole along the direction of travel of the recording medium; and a second return path section connecting the second shield to the main pole. An interface between the first return path section and the main pole has an end closest to a medium facing surface, and an interface between the second return path section and the main pole has an end closest to the medium facing surface, the latter being closer to the medium facing surface than the former. The second return path section includes a yoke layer located away from the medium facing surface and in contact with the main pole. The coil includes at least one coil element that passes between the second shield and the yoke layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor or read head for a magnetic recording disk drive has multiple independent current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) MR sensing elements. The sensing elements are spaced-apart in the cross-track direction and separated by an insulating separation region so as to be capable of reading data from multiple data tracks on the disk. The sensing elements have independent CPP sense currents, each of which is directed to independent data detection electronics, respectively. Each sensing element comprises a stack of layers formed on a common electrically conducting base layer, which may be a bottom magnetic shield layer formed of electrically conducting magnetically permeable material. Each sensing element has a top electrical lead layer. A top magnetic shield layer is located above the sensing elements in contact with the top lead layers.

Abstract: A magnetic layered structure is presently disclosed comprising a pinned layer, a first anti-ferromagnetic layer that defines a magnetic orientation of the pinned layer, a free layer, a second anti-ferromagnetic layer that biases the free layer to a magnetic orientation approximately perpendicular to the magnetic orientation of the pinned layer, and a tuning layer positioned between and in contact with the second anti-ferromagnetic layer and the free layer that tunes free layer bias to a desired level.

Abstract: A shield for a read element of a magnetic recording head includes a first domain with boundaries remote from the read element and stabilized with a patterned bias element. The patterned bias element comprises a topographical pattern of grooves formed on the shield substrate.