Mark Thomas Lauer

US Patent:

6735049, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Mar 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/112004

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA 94566

International Classification:

G11B 2116

US Classification:

3602441

Abstract:

Devices for transducing electromagnetic information are formed on and from a wafer substrate. The devices comprise a head attached to a flexible element such as a gimbal. To create such a device, a transducer and an optional amplifier are formed on a wafer that is then cut into rows containing a number of such transducers. The rows are then processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducer was formed, by removing material to form a head and flexible elements such as a gimbal, creating a media-facing surface on the head and at least one aperture adjacent the head. Conductive leads may be formed on a non-media-facing surface of a flexible element to connect the transducer with drive electronics. Conventional problems of connecting the head to the flexure and/or gimbal are eliminated, as both are made from the same wafer on which the transducer is formed. The transducer layers may be oriented generally perpendicular to the media surface, making use of proven transducer designs.

US Patent:

6815656, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/087876

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA 94566

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

250214LA, 359872, 359196, 359333, 385 18

Abstract:

A vertical cavity optical amplifier can tilt to reflect light in different directions. An array of such amplifiers can serve as an optical cross-connect.

US Patent:

7248444, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Jul 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/912723

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/56
G11B 5/48
G11B 21/16

US Classification:

3602944, 3602444, 3602453

Abstract:

Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

US Patent:

7508624, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Jul 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/902673

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/127
G11B 5/31

US Classification:

360122, 36012515

Abstract:

A write pole tip for a magnetic head has a trailing edge that is closer than a leading edge to a perpendicular recording medium, so that the write signal strength of the trailing edge is greater than that of the leading edge. Such an angled pole tip can write a sharp magnetic pattern with the trailing edge, reducing erroneous writing. A layer of physically hard material such as diamond-like carbon (DLC) may adjoin the trailing edge, the physically hard material layer protruding slightly after polishing of the media-facing surface due to its resistance to lapping. This can form an acute corner of the write pole tip adjacent to the physically hard material layer. The trailing edge may be longer than the leading edge, and the write pole tip may have a trapezoidal shape.

US Patent:

7580228, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

May 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/142170

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/39
G11B 5/127

US Classification:

36032412, 3603242, 32420721

Abstract:

A CPP MR sensor includes a sense layer with a smoothly curving perimeter, lowering edge effects and Barkhausen noise. For example, a circular or oval CPP sensor stack can be defined, or the sensor layers can be milled to have a tapered track width that is narrower adjacent media facing surface, to avoid sharp corners at that media facing surface after lapping which has been monitored for resistance change to terminate at the correct plane. Single domain sensor layers, such as free, pinned, and bias layers, can be produced with this technique, increasing stability, lowering noise and increasing magnetoresistance of the sensor. A smoother rotation of the free layer magnetic moment, and a more linear signal, can also be provided. An antiferromagnetic bias layer can also be eliminated due to the reduced edge effects of the free layer.

US Patent:

7617588, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Sep 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/235597

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/127
H04R 31/00

US Classification:

2960312, 29417, 2960314, 2960315, 2960316, 2960318, 216 62, 216 65, 216 66, 3602444, 3602453, 3602944, 451 5, 451 41

Abstract:

Methods for making devices comprise forming a plurality of transducers on a major surface of a wafer, including forming a plurality of solid layers each having a thickness that is less than one micron; dividing the wafer and the attached transducers into a plurality of units such that each of the units includes a portion of the layers and a substantially planar surface that is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the layers; and removing at least part of the substantially planar surface, including creating, for each transducer, at least one flexible element that is attached the transducer. Conventional problems of connecting a head to the flexure and/or gimbal are eliminated. The heads can be made thinner than is conventional and gimbals and flexures can be more closely aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities.

US Patent:

7684158, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Jul 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/880605

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

G11B 5/56
G11B 5/48
G11B 21/16

US Classification:

3602944, 3602444, 3602453

Abstract:

Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

US Patent:

7850346, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Aug 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/895246

Inventors:

Mark A. Lauer - Pleasanton CA, US

International Classification:

F21V 21/00

US Classification:

362362, 362272, 362386

Abstract:

An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the sock may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the sock to glow. Such a diaphanous sock can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the sock or removed from the sock, for example in a central body of a chandelier. Light can emanate from the wick from a light emitting diode (LED), and the sock can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the sock can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.