Abstract: A magnetic data recording system employing a slider having a laser diode mounted to a side surface of the slider rather than to a back surface opposite the air bearing surface. The laser diode provides a light source for thermal assisted recording. Locating the laser diode at the side surface eliminates the possibility of contact between laser diodes of adjacent sliders and allows larger, more powerful laser diodes to be employed. In addition, placing the laser diode at the side allows a micro-actuator to be attached to the back side surface of the slider, thereby allowing both thermally assisted recording and micro-actuation to be used in the same recording system.

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic recording write head having a spin torque oscillator capable of producing high strength high frequency magnetic oscillations with reduced applied current. The spin torque oscillator uses a magnetic field generation layer with a high moment material including such as Fe and Co that is formed on an interlayer having a face centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure, that functions as an under-layer. The high moment magnetic field generation layer has also reduced magnetic damping.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and generally associated method may be directed to a magnetic reader capable of concurrently or independently data access and environmental measurements. Various embodiments construct such a magnetic reader with first and second data transducing elements that are each adapted to selectively read data and measure clearance from an adjacent data storage media.

Abstract: A transducing device may include features for adjusting the fly height between the transducing device and a magnetic storage medium. In one example, the transducing device includes a transducing element, at least one heating element, a permanently deformable material portion, and a temporarily deformable material portion. In this example, the permanently deformable material portion is configured to permanently deform in response to heat from the at least one heating element, and the temporarily deformable material portion is configured to temporarily deform in response to heat from the at least one heating element. The fly height of the device may be adjusted using lower temperatures and less energy than some other types of devices.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a slider includes an air bearing surface having a cavity. The cavity includes transition features at an upstream side of the cavity to mitigate air flow expansion along the cavity. Turbulence-inducing features are positioned on the transition features.

Abstract: A magnetic element is generally provided that can be implemented as a transducing head. Various embodiments may configure a magnetic stack having a magnetically free layer with a predetermined magnetization. A side shield lamination can be separated from the magnetic stack on an air hearing surface (ABS) and biased to a bias magnetization that opposes the predetermined magnetization.

Abstract: Apparatus for two dimensional reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a bias magnet disposed between a plurality of read sensors. The bias magnet may be configured to concurrently bias each read sensor to a predetermined magnetization.

Abstract: A data storage device may have at least a slider constructed with at least one feature positioned on an air bearing region and separated from a data transducer. The at least one feature can be configured to provide a slider stiffness that decreases modulation while the at least one feature is floating above or in contact with a data storage media.

Abstract: A heat enabled magnetic media having a composite magnetic recording layer structure that includes first and second magnetic layers and an exchange coupling layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange coupling layer has a reduced Curie temperature that allows the magnetic layers to become decoupled a lower temperature. This reduced Curie temperature can be achieved the addition of an alloying element such as Ni or Cu into the exchange coupling layer. Therefore, the exchange coupling layer can be constructed of an alloy such as FePtNi FePtCu, and the magnetic layers can be constructed of a material such as FePt.

Abstract: A slider comprising a body having an air bearing surface (ABS), wherein the ABS extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the body. The slider comprises a transducer supported by the body and positioned near the trailing edge, wherein the transducer comprises a pole tip partially extending from the body. The slider comprises a surface defined in the body and forming the trailing edge, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of segments. A first segment of the plurality of segments extends from the ABS and is offset from a portion of the pole tip recessed within the body. The first segment is offset from the pole tip portion by a lesser extent than any other of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording head includes a main pole formed of a soft magnetic material, a write shield pole formed of a soft magnetic material and on a trailing side of the main pole with a write gap, and side shields on both sides of the main pole in a track width direction and including nonmagnetic cavities formed of a nonmagnetic material in inner portions of the side shields. The side shields includes surfaces formed of a soft magnetic material and configured to be between a distal end portion of the main pole and the nonmagnetic cavity and between the recording medium and the nonmagnetic cavity.

Abstract: Approaches for a distributed temperature detector architecture in a head disk interface system of a hard-disk drive (HDD). A HDD may include a read/write head comprising a read element and a write element and a read/write integrated circuit (IC). The read/write head may comprise (a) a first temperature sensor that is located relatively near an air bearing surface (ABS) of the read/write head and (b) a second temperature sensor that is offset from the ABS. The read/write IC is configured to detect when the read/write head makes physical contact with a disk based on a difference in temperature measured by the first and second temperature sensor. The first and second temperature sensors form a bridge circuit, such as a Wheatstone bridge, with a first IC resistor and a second IC resistor that both reside in the read/write IC, allowing the temperature of the read/write head to be accurately measured.

Abstract: A magnetic data recording system wherein the wherein adjacent track interference during writing is avoided by modulating the size of a write bubble on the magnetic media in response to a position error signal. If the position error signal indicates that the magnetic head is off-track, circuitry within the magnetic data recording system adjusts the size of the write bubble temporarily to prevent the write bubble from encroaching on a neighboring data track. This adjustment of the write bubble can be accomplished by adjusting power to the write head. Adjustment of the write bubble can also be achieved by adjusting power to a magnetic oscillator in a microwave assisted magnetic recording system (MAMR) or adjusting power to a heating element in a thermally assisted magnetic recording system.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having a hard bias structure that extends beyond the back edge of the sensor stack by a controlled, distance that is chosen to maximize both hard bias field and hard bias magnetic coercivity and anisotropy. The hard bias structure has a back edge that is well defined and that has a square corner at its innermost end adjacent to the sensor stack. The magnetic sensor can be constructed by a process that includes a separate making an milling process that is dedicated to defining the back edge of the hard bias structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hard disk drive includes a magnetic disk medium, a magnetic head adapted for writing data to the magnetic disk medium, a mechanism (such as a detection circuit) adapted for detecting at least one recording condition of drive current provided to the magnetic head during writing operations, and an energy conversion element for controlling at least one recording characteristic of the magnetic head in response to the at least one detected recording condition. According to another embodiment, a method includes writing data to a magnetic medium using a magnetic head, detecting at least one recording condition of drive current provided to the magnetic head during the writing, and controlling at least one recording characteristic of the magnetic head during the writing using an energy conversion element in response to the at least one detected recording condition.

Abstract: A magnetic read sensor having improved magnetic performance and robustness. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic free layer and a magnetic pinned layer structure. The magnetic pinned layer structure includes first and second magnetic layers separated from one another by a non-magnetic coupling layer. The second magnetic layer of the magnetic pinned layer structure includes a layer of CoFeBTa, which prevents the diffusion of atoms and also promotes a desired BCC crystalline grain growth. The magnetic free layer structure can also include such a CoFeBTa layer for further prevention of atomic diffusion and further promotion of a desired BCC grain growth.

Abstract: Techniques of the present invention include detecting a touchdown between a read/write head of a disk drive and a surface of a magnetic disk using multiple touchdown sensors located at an air-bearing surface (ABS). The multiple sensors increase the likelihood that a touchdown event—i.e., a portion of the ABS of the head contacting the underlying magnetic disk surface—will be detected. During touchdown, the portion of the head contacting the magnetic disk generates frictional heat which changes a characteristic (e.g., the electrical resistance) of at least one of the sensors located at the ABS. When the sensors are connected to a detection circuit, the changing characteristic may be monitored to identify a touchdown event. The touchdown sensors may be, for example, electrically connected in either series or parallel to the detection circuit. Thus, as long as the electrical resistance of one of the sensors is changed, a touchdown event may be detected.

Abstract: A magnetic read head having a hard bias structure that both optimizes magnetic bias field and also ensures manufacturability while maintaining sensor stripe height integrity. The read head includes a sensor stack having a back edge and first and second laterally opposed sides. A hard bias structure extending from each of the first and second sides of the sensor stack has a neck portion located near the sensor and having a back edge that is aligned with and parallel to the back edge of the sensor stack. The hard bias structure also includes a flared portion having a back edge that defines an angle relative to the air bearing surface of the read head. The back edge preferably defines and angle of 45-75 degrees relative to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A disk driving apparatus includes a base member, a hub member, and a fluid bearing unit. The base member has a head movement region on which a head unit is to be mounted such that a head portion of the head unit can be moved along the radial direction of a recording face in a reciprocating manner while facing the recording face of a recording disk to be mounted on the hub member, and a recessed housing portion housing the fluid bearing unit such that it surrounds at least a part of a rotor unit supported by the fluid bearing unit. Furthermore, the base member has an inhibiting wall at a boundary between the head movement region and the recessed housing portion so as to prevent a lubricant fluid from migrating toward the recording disk side.

Abstract: A magnetic head that includes: a slider having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and a transducer, the transducer formed on the trailing edge of the slider and the transducer including: a substrate; a basecoat positioned adjacent the substrate, wherein the basecoat includes a material having a Young's modulus that is less than that of alumina and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of alumina; a reader; a writer; a heater; and an overcoat encasing at least a portion of the transducer, wherein the overcoat includes a material having a Young's modulus that is less than that of alumina and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of alumina.

Abstract: A head-gimbal assembly (HGA) with a suspension-lead pad having a form that is configured to inhibit formation of an inter-pad solder bridge. The HGA includes a gimbal, a head-slider and a plurality of suspension-lead pads. The head-slider is coupled with the gimbal, and includes a plurality of head-slider pads. The plurality of suspension-lead pads is coupled with the plurality of head-slider pads by a plurality of solder bonds. A suspension-lead pad comprises a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a proximal side, disposed in proximity to a respective head-slider pad, and a distal side. A first width of the suspension-lead pad closer to the proximal side is substantially larger than a second width of the suspension-lead pad further from the proximal side than the first width. A disk drive including the HGA, and a head-slider with a head-slider pad having similar form to the suspension-lead pad are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for magnetic data recording that incorporates a novel magnetic oscillation generator stricture that sets up a magnetic oscillation in the magnetic media for improving writing and that also narrows the write width and reduces adjacent track interference by suppressing writing in regions outside of the desired data track. The magnetic oscillation generating structure includes a centrally disposed magnetic assist element that generates an oscillating magnetic field that oscillates in a direction that will assist the write pole in writing to the magnetic medium. The magnetic oscillation generating structure also includes first and second magnetic non-assist elements at either side of the assist element. The non-assist elements generate a magnetic field that oscillates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, which counteracts the magnetic write assist from the centrally disposed magnetic assist element and acts to suppress writing in these side regions.

Abstract: An inner race of a first rolling bearing is fixed to a shaft, and an outer race thereof is fixed to an inner race of a second rolling bearing. In the first bearing, the outer race and a rolling element contact each other on the side of a center of the rolling element closer to one end side in an axial direction, and the inner race and the rolling element contact each other on the side of the center of the rolling element closer to the other end side in the axial direction. In the second bearing, an outer race and a rolling element contact each other on the side of a center of the rolling element closer to the one end side, and the inner race and the rolling element contact each other on the side of the center of the rolling element closer to the other end side.

Abstract: A slider includes a substrate having a trailing edge, a leading edge opposite the trailing edge, and an air bearing surface connecting the trailing edge with the leading edge; a read/write transducer formed at the trailing edge; and a coat layer attached on the trailing edge and covering on the read/write transducer. The slider further includes a protection layer for shielding the read/write transducer thereby preventing the read/write transducer from damaging during a laser soldering process. The present invention can prevent the read/write transducer from damaging during the laser bonding process and, in turn improve the reading and writing performance of the slider. The invention also discloses an HGA and a disk drive unit.

Abstract: A first sleeve rotatably extends around a shaft. First and second flanges are fixed to the shaft. A second sleeve extending around the first sleeve is fixed thereto. A first annular member fixed to the second sleeve surrounds the first flange. A second annular member fixed to the second flange surrounds a portion of the second sleeve. A first capillary seal includes a clearance between the first flange and the first annular member. A second capillary seal includes a clearance between the second annular member and the second sleeve. Lubricant is provided in the clearances in the first and second capillary seals. The second annular member and the second sleeve are designed so that the lubricant in the clearance in the second capillary seal can be viewed from a point in a radial position which is outward of the second sleeve as seen in an axial direction.

Abstract: A slider includes a void for controlling the flying height of the slider over a disk in a HDD. The slider comprises a slider body having a leading surface and a trailing surface. A read/write element is formed in a portion of the slider body proximate to the trailing surface of the slider body and a first thermal heater proximate the read/write element, wherein a first void is defined within the slider body proximate to the read/write element for increasing a mobility of the read/write element to increase the protrusion when thermal energy is introduced to the read/write element.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a slider substrate and a write element. The slider substrate has an air bearing surface at one side thereof. The write element has a recording magnetic pole film. The recording magnetic pole film is disposed on a plane crossing the air bearing surface over the slider substrate and has a large-width portion and a small-width portion continuously arranged in the named order toward the air bearing surface. The small-width portion has a smaller width than the large-width portion. Of the large-width portion and the small-width portion, at least the small-width portion has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is continuous with an upper end of the first portion and has both side faces inclined in such a direction as to increase the width. An external angle of the first portion formed by a plane parallel to a bottom face and the side face is larger than an external angle of the second portion formed by a plane parallel to the bottom face and the side face.

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 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: An apparatus and associated method employing a slider having a leading edge opposing a trailing edge. A fluid bearing surface extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The fluid bearing surface contactingly engages a fluid stream operably imparted to the fluid bearing surface by a moving member adjacent thereto. A trailing edge pad extends from the fluid bearing surface adjacent the trailing edge. A capillary lubrication trench (CLT) is disposed entirely between a portion of the trailing edge pad and the trailing edge along a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a head slider including a bearing surface opposed to a surface of a recording medium, an inflow end face, and an outflow end face, and configured to fly by an airflow between the recording medium surface and the bearing surface, and a recording element and a reproduction element disposed in an outflow end portion of the head slider with respect to the airflow. The bearing surface of the head slider includes a trailing step on the outflow end portion, a trailing pad on the trailing step and includes an outflow end kept at an inflow-side gap away from the outflow end face, and a first groove formed along a step portion at a boundary between the trailing step and the trailing pad.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field to a recording layer of a recording medium, a return pole opposed to the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and a high-frequency oscillator between respective facing surfaces of the main pole and the return pole and configured to produce a high-frequency magnetic field. At least one of the main and return poles faces the high-frequency oscillator and includes a laminated structure portion includes a magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic layer laminated to one another.

Abstract: A slider tester includes a disk, movable table, table drive mechanism, guide member, etc. A plurality of suspensions are mounted on the movable table. A slider is mounted on each suspension. A guide member can support respective lift tabs of the suspensions. The guide member includes a first guide surface, second guide surface, and opening arranged in a track width direction of the disk. When any of the lift tabs gets into the opening as the movable table moves in the track width direction of the disk, the slider is dropped toward a recording surface of the disk.

Abstract: Disclosed are a slider for a memory device and a hard memory device having the same. The slider for a memory device includes a slider body configured to fly over the surface of a medium at a particular height; and a reverse flow preventing unit disposed at part of the slider body adjacent to a trailing edge of the slider body and configured to prevent a reverse flow of air between the medium and the slider body.

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 magnetic disk is provided wherein a non-magnetic substrate, a magnetic layer, a protection layer, and a lubrication layer are sequentially stacked. The surface of the lubrication layer has irregular structure patterns along a circumferential direction of the magnetic disk that have circumferential lengths that each correspond to a central angle. The irregular structure patterns may be formed by an adsorption between the lubrication layer and the surface of the protection layer. When a natural frequency of a magnetic head slider used to record to the magnetic disk is f and the magnetic disk rotation speed is R0, the central angle is set so as not to coincide with an angle ?0 expressed by ?0=360×(R0/60)/(f×1000).

Abstract: A magnetic writer comprises a write pole, a substrate and a non-magnetic, oxygen-free buffer material. The write pole has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side and second side. The substrate is at the leading edge of the write pole. The non-magnetic, oxygen-free buffer material is located between the write pole and the substrate, and the oxygen-free buffer material is selected from Re, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A hard disk drive system is provided. The hard disk drive system includes a hard disk and at least one slider structure for reading data from and writing data onto the hard disk. The hard disk includes a plurality of layers, and at least a topmost one of the plurality of layers comprises a lubricant layer. The at least one slider structure includes an air bearing surface and one or more structures for forming lubricant reservoirs. The air bearing surface includes a read/write sensor for reading and writing the data from/onto the hard disk. And the one or more structures form the lubricant reservoirs which are fluidically coupled to the air bearing surface to prevent lubricant buildup on the air bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head suspension, wherein a supporting portion such as an arm or base plate includes a pair of supporting pieces extending from its opposite sides in the widthwise direction to a tip-end side of the suspension, and a concave portion which is defined by the pair of supporting pieces and is opened toward the tip-end side of the suspension, there is provided an elastically-deformable elastic plate which is connected to the pair of supporting pieces at a first end and a second end in the widthwise direction of the magnetic head suspension, the member forming the load beam portion is connected to the elastic plate, and the elastic plate forms the load bending portion.

Abstract: In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired right and left connecting beams that are positioned on both sides of an open section, with which paired piezoelectric elements are at least partially overlapped in a plan view, in a suspension width direction and connect a proximal end section that is directly or indirectly connected to a main actuator and a distal end section to which the load bending part is connected includes proximal-side and distal-side beams. The distal-side beam is inclined with respect to the proximal-side beam in a plan view such that a connection point between the proximal-side and distal-side beams is located closer to a suspension longitudinal center line relative to a virtual line connecting the proximal end of the proximal-side beam and the distal end of the distal-side beam.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording head includes a main pole, a trailing core, a first coil wound around the trailing core, a leading core, and a second coil wound around the leading core. The trailing core includes a return pole opposed to a trailing side of the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and side shields arranged individually on opposite sides of the main pole transversely relative to tracks and magnetically separated from the main pole at a distance not more than double a track pitch of the recording medium. The leading core includes a junction opposed to a leading side of the main pole with a gap therebetween and joined to the side shields with a width of 20 ?m or less transversely relative to the tracks and a connecting portion joined to the main pole in a position off the recording medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording head for perpendicular recording, includes a main pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field to a recording layer of a recording medium, a return pole opposed to the main pole with a write gap therebetween and configured to form a magnetic circuit in conjunction with the main pole, a junction formed of a nonmagnetic body in which soft magnetic bodies are dispersed and configured to physically connect the main and return poles to each other, a coil configured to excite the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit, a spin-torque oscillator arranged between the return pole and an end portion of the main pole and configured to produce a high-frequency magnetic field, and a current source configured to supply a current to the spin-torque oscillator through the return and main poles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling lubrication in hard disk drives. Hard disk drives often include lubrication on the disks to protect the disks from incidental contact with the head slider. Embodiments of the invention include lubrication control recesses on the air bearing surface (ABS) of the head slider. The recesses reduce air stagnation on the ABS and/or store excess lubrication that migrates from the disk to the head slider. By reducing build-up of lubrication and storing excess lubrication, the lubrication control recesses avoid failure that may occur as a result of the lubrication interfering with the ABS or the read/write elements of the head.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head of a disk drive includes a head slider including a disk-facing surface, and an inflow end surface and an outflow end surface extending across the disk-facing surface, a write element and a read element in an end portion of the head slider on the side of the outflow end surface, and an SiNx film formed on the outflow end surface of the head slider.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head includes a head slider including a bearing surface and configured to fly by an airflow between the recording medium surface and the bearing surface, and a recording element and a reproduction element arranged in an outflow end portion of the head slider with respect to the airflow. The bearing surface includes a first pressure generating portion on an inflow end portion of the head slider with respect to the airflow, configured to generate a pressure, a second pressure generating portion on the outflow end portion, configured to generate a pressure, and a third pressure generating portion between the first and second pressure generating portions at a transverse central part of the bearing surface, configured to generate a pressure higher than that generated by the first pressure generating portion and lower than that generated by the second pressure generating portion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole generating a recording magnetic field in a magnetic recording medium, a return yoke paired with the main magnetic pole and a spin torque oscillator interposed between the main magnetic pole and the return yoke and including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer of Fe4N, the second magnetic layer being interposed between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic recording head is configured to allow a current for oscillation to flow in a direction from the first magnetic layer to the third magnetic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a slider pad that allows for contact to be mitigated without plastic deformation. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a slider that presents a transducer and has at least one air bearing surface (ABS) feature. The ABS feature comprises a pair of sidewalls spaced a distance X apart. A pad is deposited on the ABS feature so that the pad comprises a hemispherical cross-section and has a circumferential diameter greater than X.