Abstract:
A method for creating a pattern on an exposure site of a material blank using an exposure apparatus includes providing a mask having a first mask pattern. The mask is positioned between the exposure apparatus and the material blank. The exposure site of the material blank is exposed. One or more additional exposure events are performed for patterning the exposure site of the material blank. Between each exposure event, the exposure site of the material blank is repositioned in a lateral direction with respect to the mask. Between successive exposure events involving the first mask pattern, there is a relative movement between the mask and the material blank of a distance less than or equal to a length of the first mask pattern.
Abstract:
A head for use in accessing data from an electrically conductive media surface is provided. The head has a slider body defining a bearing plane configured to face the media surface. A fly height control electrode is positioned on the raised portion. Further, the fly height control electrode and the media surface are adapted to form opposing plates of a capacitor with a dielectric layer of air supporting the head. Also, the fly height control electrode is electrically isolated from the slider body. A head electrical connection disposed on the slider body is electrically connected to the fly height control electrode. The head electrical connection is adapted to provide a fly height control voltage to the fly height control electrode.
Abstract:
A clamping apparatus for holding elements includes a first spring member and a second spring member. The first spring member has a rigid portion that applies the majority of force to the elements. The second spring member is attached to the first spring member. The second spring member is more flexible than the first spring member. The second spring member has a structure that accommodates dimensional variations in elements held by the clamping member.
Abstract:
A supported probe device that has a probe tip and probe body, the probe body having a sample facing surface and an opposing surface. The probe tip and a first electrode are on the sample facing surface. A second electrode is present on the probe body opposing surface. A third electrode is spaced from the second electrode, so that the second electrode is between the third electrode and the probe body. A first DC voltage source is electrically coupled to the first electrode, as is a first sensing circuit. A second DC voltage source is electrically coupled to the second electrode, and an AC voltage source electrically coupled to the third electrode. The probe body may be cantilevered.
Abstract:
A method for producing magneto resistive heads includes the steps of positioning at least two magneto resistive elements in spaced relation to one another and placing the at least two magneto resistive elements in an ion milling environment where material is removed nonselectively from items in the environment. A property of at least two of the plurality of magneto resistive elements is monitored. In response to monitoring, one of the at least two magneto resistive elements is dynamically covered to prevent additional removal of material from the covered magneto resistive element.
Abstract:
A disk drive system includes a base, a disk stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. A ramp assembly includes a set of ramps for loading and unloading the sliders and transducing elements carried by the sliders to and from the disks in the disk stack. The ramp assembly is attached to the base. An actuator assembly is movably attached to the base of the disk drive. The actuator assembly moves the load springs and attached slider and transducers to various positions on the disk. The slider is a block of material having corners and edges. Sliders have a backside surface and an air-bearing surface. The slider also has at least one recess therein. One or more pads of shock absorbing material are positioned within at least one of the recesses in the slider. The pads are positioned within one or more recesses to prevent the corners or edges of the block of material near the air-bearing surface from contacting the disk. In one embodiment, the pads are positioned within the recesses so that the second material is positioned near the air-bearing surface. The pads include a first shock absorbing material, and a second material harder than the shock absorbing material. The second material can be diamond like carbon. After forming the pad, diamond like carbon is deposited on the pad using photolithography.
Abstract:
An air bearing slider for a disc drive has an overcoat localized on the air bearing surface to provide a continuous covering over a leading portion of the air bearing surface. The overcoat terminates in a trailing cut-off line, and a trailing portion of the air bearing surface is not covered by overcoat. The overcoat also covers the pole tips of the transducer at a pole tip recession from the air bearing surface. The leading portion covered by the overcoat includes all of the air bearing surface that contacts the disc during contact/start/stop, which is protected by a uniform continuous overcoat layer. The trailing cut-off line is disposed at an angle to expose the trailing corners of the air bearing surface, such that all of the overcoat is elevated above the lowermost portion of the air bearing surface through pitch and roll angles of flying at inner and outer radii. Methods of applying the localized overcoat include subtractive and additive photolithographic deposition processes. The overcoat over the pole tips protects the pole tips during subsequent processing steps of forming the slider cavity.
Abstract:
A memory cell that includes a memory element configured for switching from a first data state to a second data state by passage of current therethrough. The memory cell includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode for providing the current through the memory cell, and an alignment element positioned at least between the top electrode and the top surface of the memory element, the alignment element having an electrically conductive body tapering from the top electrode to the top surface of the memory element. Methods for forming the memory cell are also described.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for protecting a thin film sensor such as a magnetoresistive head from damaging electrical transients, such as electrostatic discharge. A thin film sensor assembly includes a thin film sensor in electrical contact with a first and a second electrical contact. A shunting structure is deposited between and in electrical communication with the first and second electrical contacts such that the shunting structure as deposited is a high resistance path between the first and second electrical contacts and does not electrically short the first and second electrical contacts. Heat treating the shunting structure then forms a low resistance path between the first and second electrical contacts to provide protection of the sensor from electrostatic discharge.
Abstract:
A supported probe device that has a probe tip and probe body, the probe body having a sample facing surface and an opposing surface. The probe tip and a first electrode are on the sample facing surface. A second electrode is present on the probe body opposing surface. A third electrode is spaced from the second electrode, so that the second electrode is between the third electrode and the probe body. A first DC voltage source is electrically coupled to the first electrode, as is a first sensing circuit. A second DC voltage source is electrically coupled to the second electrode, and an AC voltage source electrically coupled to the third electrode. The probe body may be cantilevered.