Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Tong Zhao

This inventor holds 89 USPTO granted patents and 9 published patent applications and 3 EPO patents, primarily in Near-Field Transducers (CPC class G11B2005-0021). Top assignee: Seagate Technology Incorporated. Active years: 2010-2026.

USPTO Granted Patents = 89 (Patent Applications = 9)

% Patents Active = 83.1

EPO Patents = 3 (Patent Applications = 4)

Average Co-Inventor Count = 4.7

ph-index = 15

Forward Citations = 831(Granted Patents)

Forward Citations (Not Self Cited) = 451(Dec 10, 2025)

Inventors with similar research interests:

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Location History:

Pittsburgh, PA (US) (2010 - 2011)
Cranberry Township, PA (US) (2010 - 2012)
Eden Praire, MN (US) (2013)
Eden Prairie, MN (US) (2011 - 2024)

Company Filing History:

89 out of 8,744

Seagate Technology Incorporated

patents

Years Active: 2010-2026

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Areas of Expertise:

Near-Field Transducer

Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording

Thin-Film Structure

Single-Grain Transducer

Adhesion Layer

Nanoparticles

Crystalline Structure

Diffusion Barrier

Platinum Group Alloys

Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Transfer-Printed Devices

Protective Layer

89 patents (USPTO):Sort by Forward CitationsExplore Patents

1. 12688873 - Heat-assisted magnetic recording heads with additional magnetic material (2026-07-21),

2. 12518781 - Forming a heat channel on a magnetic write pole using an adhesion layer (2026-01-06),

3. 12249357 - Single-grain near-field transducer and process for forming same (2025-03-11),

4. 12057147 - Thin-film crystalline structure with surfaces having selected plane orientations (2024-08-06),

5. 11935567 - Single-grain near-field transducer and process for forming same (2024-03-19),

6. 11875826 - Heat-assisted magnetic recording head with a bilayer adhesion structure (2024-01-16),

7. 11798581 - Heat-assisted magnetic recording head with nanoparticles (2023-10-24),

8. 11587581 - Transfer-printed near-field transducer and heat sink (2023-02-21),

9. 11423928 - Processing for forming single-grain near-field transducer (2022-08-23),

10. 11183215 - Thin-film crystalline structure with surfaces having selected plane orientations (2021-11-23),

11. 11164600 - Methods of forming materials (2021-11-02),

12. 11162169 - Near-field transducer having secondary atom higher concentration at bottom of the peg (2021-11-02),

13. 11107499 - Materials for near field transducers and near field transducers containing same (2021-08-31),

14. 11107496 - Near field transducers including platinum group alloys (2021-08-31),

15. 10984821 - Transfer-printed near-field transducer and heat sink (2021-04-20),

Title: Innovator Spotlight: Tong Zhao - Pioneering Inventor in Magnetic Recording Technology

Introduction:

Tong Zhao, a prolific inventor based in Eden Prairie, MN, has made significant contributions to the field of magnetic recording technology. With an impressive portfolio of 85 patents to his name, Zhao's groundbreaking innovations have reshaped the landscape of data storage and retrieval systems.

Latest Patents:

1. Single-grain near-field transducer and process for forming same: Zhao's method revolutionizes the formation of a near-field transducer by integrating a single-crystal-like metal layer onto a carrier wafer, enhancing the efficiency and performance of recording head subassemblies.

2. Heat-assisted magnetic recording head with a bilayer adhesion structure: Zhao's design incorporates a unique bilayer adhesion structure, utilizing mixed metal oxide layers and metal adhesion layers to optimize adhesion between features in a magnetic recording head.

Career Highlights:

Currently employed at Seagate Technology Incorporated, a leading player in the data storage industry, Tong Zhao continues to spearhead research and development efforts in cutting-edge technologies. His expertise in magnetic recording has propelled Seagate to the forefront of innovation in data storage solutions.

Collaborations:

Throughout his career, Tong Zhao has collaborated with top-tier professionals in the field, including his esteemed coworkers Michael C Kautzky and Yuhang Cheng. Together, they have driven forward advancements in magnetic recording technology, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the industry.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Tong Zhao's remarkable ingenuity and dedication to advancing magnetic recording technology have established him as a trailblazer in the field. His numerous patents and collaborative efforts reflect a commitment to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of technological possibility in the ever-evolving domain of data storage.