Donald Giles Allen

Title: **Donald Giles Allen: Innovator in Magnetic Technology**

Introduction

Donald Giles Allen, based in Morgan Hill, California, is a renowned inventor with a significant contribution to magnetic technology. With 19 patents to his name, Allen has made substantial advancements in the field, particularly in the design and application of magnetic recording heads.

Latest Patents

Among his latest innovations, Allen's patent for a "Shield with uniform magnetic properties for a perpendicular magnetic recording head" stands out. This invention addresses the impact of depositing a seed layer for a high-moment shield onto a write pole, which could adversely affect the magnetic response of the write pole. To mitigate this, Allen proposed an amorphous separation layer between the write pole and the seed layer. This layer serves multiple purposes, including providing a substrate that allows the seed layer to dictate the crystallographic orientation of the shield, independent of prior layers. The amorphous separation layer may utilize materials such as amorphous metals like NiNb or NiTa, or insulative materials like alumina or silicon dioxide.

Another notable patent is related to the "Magnetic write head manufactured by an enhanced damascene process producing a tapered write pole with a non-magnetic spacer and non-magnetic bump." This invention describes a magnetic write head with a tapered trailing edge where a magnetic layer is strategically placed over a trailing edge of the write pole. The design incorporates a thin non-magnetic layer that maintains the functionality of the magnetic layer as part of the write pole, even when positioned away from the air-bearing surface (ABS).

Career Highlights

Donald Giles Allen has held positions in prestigious companies, including Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V. and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). His work at these organizations has allowed him to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge magnetic technologies, directly influencing data storage solutions used globally.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Allen has collaborated with notable coworkers such as Wen-Chien David Hsiao and Aron Pentek. These partnerships have fostered innovative ideas and developments in the realm of magnetic recording technology, contributing to the success of various projects and patents.

Conclusion

Donald Giles Allen's career as an inventor has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to magnetic technology. His patents reflect a deep understanding of materials and design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in magnetic recording heads. Through collaborations and his work with leading companies, Allen continues to influence the advancements in data storage and magnetic technologies.