Write element modification control using a galvanic couple
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsPeter K. McGeehin, Ge Yi, Andrew B. McInroy, Brendan Lafferty
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Abstract
A modification rate at a surface of an anode formed on a substrate is controlled. The anode is connected to a cathode comprised of a material having a higher nobility than the anode. An electrically conductive path is established between the anode and the cathode through an electrolyte to induce formation of an oxide layer at the anode surface that is more resistive to modification than the anode.
Claims20
A method for controlling a modification rate of a device at an anode surface, the method comprising:
- connecting the anode to a cathode, wherein the cathode is comprised of a material having a higher nobility than the anode;
- and
- establishing an electrically conductive path between the anode and the cathode through an electrolyte to induce formation of an oxide layer at the anode surface that is more resistive to modification than the anode.
A system comprising:
- an anode including an anode surface;
- a cathode connected to the anode and comprised of a material having a higher nobility than the anode;
- and
- a profile affecting element operable to modify the anode at the anode surface,
- wherein, when an electrically conductive path is established between the anode and cathode through an electrolyte, oxidation of the anode is induced at the surface to change a modification rate of the anode by the profile affecting element.
A method for fabricating a write element, the method comprising:
- forming the write element including an exterior surface;
- connecting the write element to a cathode comprised of a material having a higher nobility than the write element;
- modifying the write element at the exterior surface;
- and
- inducing oxidation of the write element at the exterior surface to change a modification rate of the write element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.