Semiconductor materials used in magnetic recording head assemblies to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsEric Leroy Granstrom, Ned Tabat, Cyril Peter De Vries
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Abstract
The invention includes a magnetic recording head that has at least one structure or substructure that is made of a semiconductor material that protects the head from damage or destruction arising from stray current flow or unwanted electrostatic discharge during manufacture, assembly or use. The semiconductor material acts as a dissipative pathway to drain unwanted charges from the structure. The invention also includes a magnetic recording head that includes a substrate and a reader portion in the substrate, the substrate comprising a semiconductor material.
Claims23
A magnetic recording head comprising:
- a substrate;
- a reader portion adjacent the substrate, the reader portion comprising a first half gap and a second half gap;
- and
- a writer portion;
- wherein the second half gap comprises a semiconductor material.
A magnetic recording head comprising:
- a sensing portion comprising
- a read sensor having a first side and a second side, and
- a first semiconductor layer adjacent to the first side of the read sensor;
- and
- a writing portion;
- wherein the semiconductor layer dissipates electric charges that accumulate on the magnetic recording head.
A magnetic recording head comprising:
- a substrate;
- a reading portion adjacent to the substrate, the reading portion comprising a first half gap and a second half gap;
- and
- a writing portion adjacent the reading portion;
- wherein the first half gap comprises a semiconductor material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.