Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording device based on shingled-write recording method comprises a magnetic storage medium, a recording head, and an actuator. The magnetic storage medium comprises dot rows wherein a phase shift is between adjacent rows. The recording head covers a predetermined number of dot rows of the magnetic storage medium and comprises an edge at one of the dot rows. The actuator configured to move a recording head by an amount equivalent to a dot row after recording is performed on one of the dot rows by the recording head.

Abstract: A servo wedge on a recording medium for a disk drive includes a gray-code field that stores a micro-jog correction factor for a data track. The micro-jog correction factor compensates for the effect of accumulated track pitch variations. In one embodiment, the radial wedge formed by gray-code fields for adjacent data tracks is a continuous radial wedge similar to the gray-code field used for encoding track numbers.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a head stack assembly having a read/write head to read data stored on a disk and/or to write data to the disk while flying over the disk. The read/write head includes an end tap that is disposed at a peripheral portion of the read/write head. A head parking ramp is arranged close to the disk and may support the read/write head while in the park position such that the end tap contacts the head parking ramp and is supported thereon. A heater is provided in the head parking ramp to heat the read/write head.

Abstract: A head assembly includes a slider having a head element, a load beam, a fulcrum formed at a top end section of the load beam, a slider support plate for supporting the slider to freely turn around the fulcrum, at least one drive element for applying a turning force to the slider support plate in a plane thereof, a first linear link part having at both ends a first top end joint part mechanically connected to the slider support plate, and a first base end joint part mechanically connected to the load beam, and a second linear link part having at both ends a second top end joint part mechanically connected to the slider support plate, and a second base end joint part mechanically connected to the load beam. Both of an extended line of the first linear link part and an extended line of the second linear link part travel toward a position of the fulcrum and intersect with each other.

Abstract: A detecting circuit, which can detect plural types of servo signals, including a cosine/sine value detector for sampling a servo signal supplied from an inspected object and thereby obtaining a cosine value and a sine value, an amplitude/phase detector for obtaining at least amplitude information and phase information on the basis of the cosine value and the sine value obtained by the cosine/sine value detector, and a servo selector/position detector for selecting a servo scheme of the inspected object and detecting a position of the inspected object on the basis of the amplitude information and the phase information obtained by the amplitude/phase detector.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a measuring module, a flying height controller, a detection module, and a controller. The measuring module is configured to measure the flying height that the head has with respect to the disk. The flying height controller is configured to control the head flying height in accordance with a value preset for the head flying height. The detection module is configured to detect the values representing the environmental elements of the head. The controller is configured to adjust the preset value in accordance with the flying height measured by the measuring module and values detected by the detection module if environmental changes are detected from the environmental element values output from the detection module.

Abstract: For obtaining a flying height of a magnetic head from a magnetic disk, the magnetic head being placed in a slider arranged at an interval with the magnetic disk, an initial setting process and a flying height detecting process are performed. In the initial setting process, driving power to a heater is increased gradually, from a state where the heater arranged at a position in proximity to the magnetic head in the slider is not driven, until the magnetic head makes contact with the magnetic disk. Then, in each stage, an electrical resistance value of the sensor arranged at a position in proximity to the magnetic head in the slider, which is increased due to the heat from heater, and either an approach distance of the magnetic head toward the magnetic disk or the flying height of the magnetic head from the magnetic disk are acquired.

Abstract: It is an object to produce a magnetic storage medium of a high recording density by a production method that does not impair mass productivity, and a magnetic storage medium 10 is produced by a production method including: a magnetic-film forming step of forming a magnetic film 61 on a substrate 62; and a dots separating step of reducing saturation magnetization by locally injecting mixed ions of N2+ ion and N+ ion into an area, of the substrate 62, other than plural areas which respectively become magnetic dots 62c where information is to be magnetically recorded, thereby forming, between the magnetic dots 62c, a between-dot separator 62d having saturation magnetization smaller than saturation magnetization of the magnetic dots 62c.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a main body unit, a hard disk drive housed inside the main body unit and including a head which performs reading and writing of data to a magnetic disk, a display unit pivotable between a first position where the display unit is laid parallel to the main body unit and a second position where the display unit is raised relative to the main body unit, a sensor which senses an angle at which the display unit is positioned, and a control unit. The control unit retracts the head to a retraction position when the sensor senses a change in the angle of the display unit.

Abstract: A power-supply unit which comprises a transformer, a full bridge circuit consisting of four arm switches provided on a primary side of the transformer, a rectifier and smoothing circuit including two synchronous rectifier switches provided on a secondary side of the transformer, a choke coil, and a capacitor, an output terminal provided in the rectifier and smoothing circuit, a control circuit controlling ON/OFF of the four arm switches of the full bridge circuit and the two synchronous rectifier switches of the rectifier and smoothing circuit, a resonant inductor consisting of a leakage inductor component of the transformer and a parasitic inductor component of wirings on the primary side of the transformer, and a resonant capacitor consisting of a parasitic capacitor component of the arm switches of the full bridge circuit, and in which the control circuit comprises timing variable means which varies switching timings of the two synchronous rectifier switches of the rectifier and smoothing circuit based on

Abstract: It is an object to provide a simple method capable of producing a magnetic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium and an information storage device which may be produced by a simple production method with a high recording density, and a magnetic disk is produced by a production method having: a film-forming process of forming, on a substrate 61, a magnetic film made of a Co—Cr—Pt alloy and having a thickness of less than 10 nm; and an ion injection process of forming, by reducing saturation magnetization by locally injecting ions into a point other than plural points that become magnetic dots on each of which information is magnetically recorded, a between-dot separator having saturation magnetization smaller than saturation magnetization of the magnetic dots, between the magnetic dots.

Abstract: A transducer positioning apparatus is provided that supports a read/write head on a data storage machine and biases the head against rotation. The transducer positioning apparatus may comprise a base that includes a linear drive motor and a support frame to which the read/write head is secured. The support frame is reciprocally driven by the linear drive motor relative to the base. A magnetic coupling is provided between the base and the support frame that resists movement of the frame other than the reciprocal movement of the support frame relative to the base. A method is also disclosed for magnetically biasing a movable head of a transducer against rotation.

Abstract: A magnetic pole of a magnetic head includes a narrow and a wide portion, and is formed of a plating film. An electrode film forms the plating film, and is provided only under at least a part of the wide portion. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes: forming a plating-film-accommodating layer with an accommodating groove; forming the electrode film in part of the accommodating groove; and forming the plating film in the accommodating groove by plating using the electrode film. The accommodating groove includes a narrow and a wide groove portion for accommodating the narrow and wide portions, respectively. The electrode film is provided in at least a part of the wide groove portion. In the step of forming the plating film, the plating film grows from the surface of the electrode film, and the narrow groove portion is filled with a part of the plating film.

Abstract: Embodiments herein illustrate patterned servo data that is used to facilitate subsequent servo writing to a magnetic disk while allowing the patterned disk to be planarized with a relatively simple planarization process. One disk drive system includes a magnetic disk that is patterned with magnetic lands and nonmagnetic grooves. The magnetic disk also includes bootstrap bands that may be configured at an inner diameter of the magnetic disk. The magnetic lands of the bootstrap bands have varying sizes and are patterned as servo data having a uniform polarity of magnetization. The bootstrap bands have a width that is sufficiently narrow to support an air bearing surface of a slider. The data tracks are circumferentially configured proximate to the bootstrap bands. The slider reads the patterned servo data to facilitate writing of additional servo data in the data tracks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a head stack assembly, which comprises a pivot bearing assembly having a main body which comprising a first end surface and a second end surface, and a flange extended from the main body and located between the first and second end surfaces, the flange having a first interface adjacent the first end surface of the main body and a second interface opposite to the first interface; a drive arm mounted on the main body and secured on the first interface of the flange; and a fantail spacer mounted on the main body and secured on the second interface of the flange.

Abstract: In a method for negatively biasing a slider with respect to a disk to reduce slider wear and provide burnish rate control a negative bias voltage is generated between the slider and the disk surface respectively, the negative bias voltage causing slider/disk contact wear to occur on the disk instead of on the slider.

Abstract: A fall detection apparatus that detects values ax, ay, and az in accordance with acceleration in three mutually orthogonal axes (x, y, and z). Among these detected values, the fall detection apparatus determines values dxy and dzy which are the differences between the detected value for a reference axis, e.g., the y-axis, as well as the other detected values. A falling state signal is then generated when a preliminary determination state in which the determination values are within predetermined ranges continues for a predetermined time or longer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetic disk includes rotating a magnetic disk, supporting a floating head on the rotating magnetic disk, the floating head having a slider body and an element unit formed on a trailing edge of the slider body, contacting a floating surface of the slider body with the magnetic disk, and protruding a portion of the floating head toward the magnetic disk due to application of power to a heater element within the element unit, wherein the element unit is positioned away from the magnetic disk. In another embodiment, a floating head includes a slider body comprising AlTiC, an element unit positioned on a trailing edge of the slider body, the element unit having an initial recess amount of at least about 4 nm, and a heater element positioned within an alumina protective film of the element unit.

Abstract: In fly-height control system, a slider comprises a spin torque oscillator that is configured for generating an RF carrier signal which is out-of-band of a frequency band of read data, write data, and control signals in a hard disk drive.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider is disclosed. The magnetic head slider includes a slider substrate and a laminated magnetic head element on the slider substrate. Additionally, the laminated magnetic head element includes a magnetoresistance effect element and a recording magnetic pole formed in a layer higher than the magnetoresistance effect element. A first thin-film resistor heater element is formed in a position further from an air bearing surface than the magnetoresistance effect element and the magnetic recording pole and a second film resistor heater element is formed in a layer lower than the first thin-film resistor heater element, and closer to the air bearing surface and the magnetoresistance effect element than the first heater element. A thin-film resistor sensor element is formed in a layer higher than the second thin-film heater element and closer to the air bearing surface than the second heater element.

Abstract: Approaches for improving the write quality of a hard-disk drive (HDD) head experiencing temporary fly-height problem. When the hard-disk drive is idle and heads are parked on the ramp, fluid, such as a lubricant or the condensation of vapor, may collect between the surface of a platter and the head or a slider, thereby causing the head to temporarily fly higher than normal. An HDD may include electronic component(s) configured to (a) determine whether it is likely that fluid is interposed between the surface of a magnetic-recording disk and the slider or the head, and (b) temporarily adjust one or more of (i) a thermal fly height control setting of the head and (ii) a write parameter of the head to compensate for the head flying higher than normal as a result of the fluid being interposed between the surface of the disk and the slider or the head.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head for perpendicular recording includes a main pole, a first soft magnetic film disposed on a trailing side of the main pole, and a first nonmagnetic film interposed between the main pole and the first soft magnetic film. A thickness of the main pole is increased in a depth direction from an air bearing surface using an inclination, and a thickness of the first nonmagnetic film increases in the depth direction from the air bearing surface. In another embodiment, an angle from a horizontal plane of an upper surface of the first nonmagnetic film is greater than an angle from a horizontal plane of a lower surface of the first nonmagnetic film in contact with the main pole. Other heads, methods, and systems are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes an actuator, a servo controller, and a calculation module. The actuator is configured to move the head over a disk, in the radial direction of the disk. The servo controller is configured to make the head move along a target orbit on the disk, in accordance with the distance the actuator has been moved. The calculation module is configured to calculate, as disk runout, a virtual target orbit value supplied to the servo controller to suppress the disturbance at the target orbit.

Abstract: A system and method are described for aligning a data axis of one or more circular data-bearing tracks on an annular surface region of a magnetic media-bearing disk, with a spin axis of a spindle of a spinstand or a disk drive. The data axis is perpendicular to the surface region of the disk and the data tracks are concentric with respect to a data axis.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for producing a Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) read head includes forming a fixed layer, forming an insulating barrier layer above the fixed layer, forming a free layer above the insulating barrier layer, and annealing the free layer, the fixed layer, and the insulating barrier layer. The fixed layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a CoxFe (0?x?15) interface layer and a Co-based amorphous metallic layer between the CoxFe interface layer and the insulating barrier layer, an antiparallel coupling layer below the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer below the antiparallel coupling layer. In another embodiment, a TMR read head includes the layers described above, and may be included in a magnetic data storage system.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for performing optimum transducer unloading in a data storage device according to circumstances. The method of unloading a transducer in a data storage device comprises: determining whether a condition that requires an unloading operation is detected while the transducer is positioned on a data area on a disk; selecting, when the condition that requires the unloading operation is detected, an unloading mode corresponding to the detected condition from among a plurality of unloading modes; and moving the transducer to an area other than the data area on the disk according to the selected unloading mode.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium according to one embodiment includes a substrate; an onset layer formed above the substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and a magnetic oxide layer formed directly on the onset layer. A method according to one embodiment includes sputtering using a target of ruthenium and titanium oxide for forming an onset layer above a substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and forming a magnetic oxide layer directly on the onset layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing write signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a compensation system is implemented within a disk drive that receives a synchronization signal read from a patterned magnetic disk by a read head. The compensation system processes the synchronization signal to compensate for noise sensed by the read head while a write head writes to the disk based on a write signal. The adjustment module is operable to adjust the write signal based on the processed synchronization signal so that the write signal is synchronized to the pattern on the disk.

Abstract: A magnetic head drive device including a suspension for supporting a magnetic head, and a main actuator that produces rotary movement of the magnetic head by applying current to a coil. The main actuator includes end arms each comprising a single micro-actuator, and an intermediate arm comprising two micro-actuators. The micro-actuators of the end arms are driven in the same direction, and the micro-actuators of the intermediate arm are driven in the opposite direction to the drive direction of the micro-actuators of said the arms.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole adapted for generating a magnetic field for recording information on a magnetic disk, a magnetic shield member adapted for suppressing spreading of a magnetic field output from the main magnetic pole through a non-magnetic insulation member, a side top gap, a side bottom gap, and a trailing gap. The side top gap is less than two times the trailing gap, the side bottom gap is larger than the side top gap, and the magnetic shield member is positioned on a sliding surface of the magnetic recording head and includes a trailing portion positioned adjacent the trailing gap in the trailing direction and at least one side portion positioned adjacent the side bottom gap in the cross-track direction. Other heads and systems are also presented according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A magnetic head, according to one embodiment, includes a sensor film, a sensor cap film provided above the sensor film, a pair of shields including an upper magnetic shield and a lower magnetic shield which serve as electrodes that pass current in a film thickness direction of the sensor film, a track insulating film contacting both sides of the sensor film in the track width direction, a graded domain control film arranged on both sides in the track width direction of the sensor film adjacent the track insulating film, and an element height direction insulating film positioned on an opposite side of the sensor film relative to an air-bearing surface, wherein an edge position of the element height direction insulating film adjacent the sensor film on the air-bearing surface side is substantially the same as an edge position of the sensor cap film in the element height direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive effect head includes a magnetically pinned layer having a direction of magnetization that is pinned, a free magnetic layer positioned above the magnetically pinned layer, the free magnetic layer having a direction of magnetization that is free to vary, and a barrier layer comprising an insulator positioned between the magnetically pinned layer and the free magnetic layer, wherein at least one of the magnetically pinned layer and the free magnetic layer has a layered structure, the layered structure including a crystal layer comprising one of: a CoFe magnetic layer or a CoFeB magnetic layer and an amorphous magnetic layer comprising CoFeB and an element selected from: Ta, Hf, Zr, and Nb, wherein the crystal layer is positioned closer to a tunnel barrier layer than the amorphous magnetic layer. In another embodiment, a magnetic data storage system includes the magnetoresistive effect head described above.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) including a magnetic disk, the magnetic disk including a data track. The HDD also includes a synchronized rewrite controller for synchronizing a plurality of rewrites of a data pattern on a location of the track of the magnetic disk and the HDD includes a write head controlled by the synchronized rewrite controller for writing the data pattern on the location of the data track and rewriting the data pattern a plurality of times on the location in synchronization with a prior writing of the data pattern on the data track.

Abstract: Processes include aligning a disc with a template at a location so that the pattern from the template is transferred to the disc in a relative orientation. The relative orientation provides that when the disc with the transferred pattern is finally assembled into a hard disc drive, an inner diameter of the spindle hole of the disc may be abutted against an outer diameter of the disc drive spindle, and the data-containing patterns on the discs will be aligned concentrically with a center of the disc drive spindle. While the data-containing patterns are aligned concentrically with the disc drive spindle, the substrate itself is allowed to be non-concentric.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer above a substrate, the patterned magnetic recording layer including recording regions and separating regions for separating the recording regions and a non-magnetic alloy layer positioned in the separating regions, wherein the non-magnetic alloy layer includes Ti. In another embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic recording medium includes forming separating regions in a magnetic recording layer by removing portions of the magnetic layer, wherein the separating regions separate recording regions in the magnetic layer, and depositing a non-magnetic alloy layer in the separating regions. Other media and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a head includes a transmitting module and a controller. The transmitting module is configured to transmit a write signal to a magnetic head having a spin torque oscillator at the time of recording data. The controller is configured to supply a drive signal that has a level higher than the ordinary level for a prescribed effective time, to the spin-torque oscillator in response to an input write gate that instructs the recording of data. During a period other than prescribed effective time, the controller supplies a drive signal having the ordinary level to the spin-torque oscillator.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer formed above a substrate, comprising: a first magnetic layer formed from a [Co/Pt]n multilayered film, wherein the first magnetic layer has a face-centered cubic (fcc) (111) crystal structure, the (111) direction being perpendicular to a film surface thereof, and a second magnetic layer comprising a CoCrPt or CoCrPt alloy film formed above the first magnetic layer, wherein the second magnetic layer has a hexagonal close packed (hcp) (00.1) crystal structure, the (00.1) direction being perpendicular to a film surface thereof. According to another embodiment, a system includes a magnetic recording medium as described above, a magnetic head for reading from and/or writing to the magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head slider for supporting the magnetic head, and a control unit coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a magnetic recording medium includes: forming a magnetic film having an artificial lattice structure by laminating plural types of atomic layers alternately on a substrate; and separating dots, which forms a dot separation band by implanting an ion, to reduce saturation magnetization locally, into portions of the magnetic film other than plural portions of the magnetic film. Each of the plural portions is made into a magnetic dot in which information is to be magnetically recorded. The saturation magnetization of the dot separation band is smaller than that of the magnetic dot.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic head includes depositing a first film above a substrate, etching a pattern into the first film, depositing a second film on the etched portion of the first film, and depositing a third film above the first and second film to form a multilayer magnetic film, wherein the second film is embedded between the first and third film in a portion of the first film that is removed. In another embodiment, a differential magnetic read head includes a magnetic multilayer film comprising a stack of a first magnetic sensor film and a second magnetic sensor film which are not magnetically connected and a hard magnetic film provided on both sides in a track width direction of the magnetic multilayer film for controlling a magnetic domain of the magnetic multilayer film. The hard magnetic film is a laminated structure as described above.

Abstract: Approaches for adjusting the recording density of a recording medium in a circumferential direction are disclosed. A hard-disk drive includes one or more electronic components configured to divide a track, of a plurality of concentric tracks on a magnetic-recording disk, into a plurality of portions, and write data to each of the plurality of portions at a recording density that is independent of the recording density used for any of the other portions. Data may be written to a first portion of a track at a different frequency than to a second portion of the same track. The frequency at which data is written may be adjusted for different portions of the same track to allow the frequency to be reduced at certain portions shown to have relatively higher soft error rate while increasing the frequency for other portions to achieve a desired average error rate for the track.

Abstract: A system includes a control module configured to generate a first signal to control a speed of an actuator arm of a rotating storage device. An estimating module includes a first filter configured to generate a first filtered output based on the first signal. A second filter is configured to generate a second filtered output based on the speed of the actuator arm. The estimating module is configured to estimate a force to move the actuator arm based on (i) the first filtered output and (ii) the second filtered output. The first filter and the second filter include infinite impulse response (IIR) filters of Pth order, where P is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A method for measuring a change of a clearance between a head and a disk. The method includes reading a preliminarily written data string for clearance measurement on a disk to obtain a first measured value corresponding to a clearance, and writing a new data string for deterioration check onto the disk and reading the data string for deterioration check to obtain a second measured value corresponding to the clearance. The method also includes determining a deterioration of the data string for clearance measurement from a difference between the first measured value and the second measured value, measuring a clearance change using the data string for clearance measurement by a normal operation if the determination is that the data string for clearance measurement has not deteriorated, and measuring a clearance change by an operation different operation if the determination is that the data string for clearance measurement has deteriorated.

Abstract: Various embodiments for addressing time-varying periodic disturbances in a servo control system are provided. Each of a plurality of coefficients is updated based on an estimation of at least one disturbance frequency. The updated plurality of coefficients is provided to at least one peak filter modifying an input signal of the servo control system. The peak filter is operable in view of the updated plurality of coefficients to cancel at least one of the time-varying periodic disturbances.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main pole, wherein a thickness in a down-track direction of the main pole increases moving away from an air bearing surface of the magnetic pole, and wherein a center position in a thickness direction of a portion of the main pole which is exposed at the air bearing surface (the ABS portion) is positioned toward a trailing side of the main pole with respect to a center position in a thickness direction of a portion of the magnetic pole having a greatest cross-sectional area and which is set back from the air bearing surface (the set-back portion). Further embodiments of this magnetic recording head, along with systems thereof and methods of producing magnetic recording heads are also described, according to more embodiments.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes etching an underlayer positioned under a main pole for reducing a thickness thereof and creating an undercut under the main pole; adding a gap material along sides of the main pole and in the undercut; and forming a shield along at least a portion of the gap material. A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a main pole; an underlayer positioned under the main pole and spaced therefrom, thereby defining an undercut therebetween; a first layer of gap material extending along sides of the main pole and in the undercut; a second layer of gap material extending continuously along the underlayer under the main pole; and a shield encircling the main pole, wherein the shield extends between the first and second layers of gap material in the undercut. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A structure according to one embodiment includes a substrate having a media facing side; and a thin film stack formed on the substrate, the thin film stack including magnetic films and insulating films, wherein the thin film stack is recessed from a plane extending along the media facing side of the substrate, wherein the magnetic films are recessed more than the insulating films, wherein the magnetic films each have a substantially flat media facing surface, wherein the insulating films each have a substantially flat media facing surface.

Abstract: A disk drive. The disk drive includes an acceleration sensor, a servo controller, a detection determiner, and a handling processor. The acceleration sensor has an associated resonant frequency. The servo controller is configured to perform servo control for head positioning using frequency components that are obtained by cutting off frequency components including the resonant frequency from output of the acceleration sensor. The detection determiner is configured to detect a frequency band including the resonant frequency from the output of the acceleration sensor to determine whether a magnitude of a voltage amplitude of the frequency band is outside of a specified range. The handling processor is configured to execute a corresponding handling operation if the detection determiner determines that the magnitude of the voltage amplitude of the frequency band is outside of the specified range.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes an upper magnetic shield, a lower magnetic shield,a magnetoresistive element having a magnetization-free layer formed therein formed between the shields, an upper magnetic shield restricting part formed on a medium facing surface side, a lower magnetic shield restricting part formed on the medium facing surface side, and a non-magnetic part formed between the upper and lower magnetic shield restricting parts on the medium facing surface side such that the magnetoresistive element is not exposed at the medium facing surface. The non-magnetic part is positioned such that a distance between the upper and lower magnetic shield restricting parts in a direction perpendicular to a plane of deposition is smaller than a distance between the upper and lower magnetic shields in the direction perpendicular to the plane of deposition near the medium facing surface. Other systems and heads are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology teaches integrating disc drive electronics into a transducer head. Decreased electrical transit times and data processing times can be achieved by placing the electronics on or within the transducer head because electrical connections may be made physically shorter than in conventional systems. The electronics may include one or more of a control system circuit, a write driver, and/or a data buffer. The control system circuit generates a modified clock signal that has a fixed relation to phase and frequency of a bit-detected reference signal that corresponds to positions of patterned bits on the disc. The write driver writes outgoing data bits received from an external connection to off-head electronics directly to the writer synchronized with the modified clock signal. The data buffer stores and converts digital data bits sent from the off-head electronics to an analog signal that is synchronized with the modified clock signal.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a disk, and a head for reading and writing data on the disk. The disk drive detects head-disk interference (HDI) during a write operation by measuring a parameter during the write operation and comparing the measured parameter against a reference parameter. The reference parameter is measured while the disk drive generates HDI under a set of reference conditions. In various embodiments, the reference parameter comprises attributes of a position error signal, a servo automatic gain control, a jitter representing a difference between a current velocity and a target velocity of a spindle motor, and a bias applied to a voice coil motor.