Phase-coherent in-line VCSEL array, mounted on the trailing edge of the glider, for HAMR

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the pretreatment of a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider with a media-side surface (MFS), an upper surface opposite the MFS, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, and an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface. A vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) is mounted on the trailing-edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. A magnetic recording head, comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, is arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers onto the optical grating.The optical grating is capable of directing the emitted laser beams at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the non-provisional US application No. 18 / 230,018 entitled “Phase-Coherent In-Line VCSEL Array with Slider Trailing Mount for HAMR”, filed on August 3, 2023 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which claims priority from the preliminary US application No. 63 / 523,839 filed on June 28, 2023, and hereby incorporates its entire contents by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND OF REVELATION Area of ​​Revelation

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a magnetic recording head for a magnetic media drive. Description of the state of the art

[0003] The core function and performance of a computer is the storage and writing of data to a data storage device, such as a magnetic media drive (e.g., a hard disk drive (HDD)). The amount of data processed by a computer is increasing rapidly. There is a need for higher recording density of magnetic storage media to enhance the functionality and performance of a computer.

[0004] To achieve higher recording densities, such as recording densities of more than 2 Tbit / inch 2With a magnetic recording medium, narrowing the width and pitch of the recording lanes reduces the number of bits encoded in each lane. A challenge in narrowing the lane width and pitch is reducing the surface area of ​​the magnetic recording head's main pole on the media-side surface (MFS). As the main pole becomes smaller, the recording field also decreases, thus limiting the effectiveness of the magnetic recording head.

[0005] Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) are two types of energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) technology used to improve the recording density of a magnetic recording medium. In HAMR, a laser source is positioned next to or near the writing element of the magnetic recording write head to generate heat, similar to a laser source driving a near-field transducer (NFT) to generate heat at a writing point of the magnetic recording medium. The laser source is often mounted on a glider, which further increases the height of the magnetic recording assembly. This additional height increases the platter spacing within the assembly, limiting the number of platters and negatively impacting the drive's capacity.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in this field for an improved HAMR magnetic media drive. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0007] The present disclosure relates to the pretreatment of a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider with a media-side surface (MFS), an upper surface opposite the MFS, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, and an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface. A vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) is mounted on the trailing-edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. A magnetic recording head is arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers onto the optical grating.The optical grating is capable of directing the emitted lasers at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide.

[0008] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface, a vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device being arranged above the optical grating, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider.

[0009] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface and a heat sink bolt adjacent to the optical grating, a vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0010] In a further embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface, and a heat sink bolt arranged adjacent to the optical grating, a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device comprises: a first contact pad arranged on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing-edge surface of the slider, and a VCSEL array arranged adjacent to the first contact pad, the VCSEL array having a plurality of laser apertures.wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing edge surface of the glider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] To clarify how the features of this disclosure specified above can be understood in detail, a more comprehensive description of the disclosure, which is briefly summarized above, may be given with reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only common embodiments of this disclosure and should therefore not be considered as limiting its scope of protection, since the disclosure may permit other equally effective embodiments. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive including a HAMR magnetic write head. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a side cross-sectional view of a HAMR write head facing a magnetic disk. Fig. Figures 3A to 3B illustrate a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment. Fig. Figures 3C to 3D illustrate a VCSEL device of the magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment.

[0012] For clarity, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to denote identical elements common to the figures. It is considered that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be advantageously used in other embodiments without specific mention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The following refers to embodiments of the disclosure. However, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to any specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether or not they relate to different embodiments, is considered for implementing and realizing the disclosure. Although embodiments of the disclosure may offer advantages over other possible solutions and / or over the prior art, the fact that a particular advantage is achieved by a specific embodiment does not limit the disclosure. The following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are therefore only illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the accompanying claims unless they are expressly stated in one or more claims.Likewise, any reference to “the disclosure” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein, nor shall it be regarded as an element or limitation of the attached claims, unless expressly stated in one or more claims.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to the pretreatment of a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider with a media-side surface (MFS), an upper surface opposite the MFS, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, and an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface. A vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) is mounted on the trailing-edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the optical grating. A magnetic recording head is arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers onto the optical grating.The optical grating is capable of directing the emitted lasers at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive 100, which includes a write head for energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR), such as a write head for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) or microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR). Such a magnetic media drive can be a single drive / device or comprise multiple drives / devices. For easier illustration, a single disk drive 100 according to one embodiment is shown. The disk drive 100 includes at least one rotatable magnetic recording medium 112 (often referred to as a magnetic disk 112) which is mounted on a spindle 114 and rotated by a drive motor 118.The magnetic recording on each magnetic disk 112 is made in the form of any suitable patterns of data tracks, such as ring-shaped patterns of concentric data tracks (not shown) on the magnetic disk 112.

[0016] At least one slider 113 is positioned near the magnetic disk 112. Each slider 113 carries a head assembly 121, including one or more read heads and one or more write heads, such as a HAMR write head. As the magnetic disk 112 rotates, the slider 113 moves radially inward and outward across the disk surface 122, allowing the head assembly 121 to access different tracks on the magnetic disk 112 onto which the desired data is written. Each slider 113 is attached to an actuator arm 119 via a suspension 115. The suspension 115 provides a small spring force that biases the slider 113 toward the disk surface 122. Each actuator arm 119 is attached to an actuator 127. The actuator 127, as shown in Fig. The motor shown in Figure 1 can be a voice coil motor (VCM). The VCM includes a coil that is movable within a fixed magnetic field, the direction and speed of the coil movements being controlled by the motor current signals supplied by a control unit 129.

[0017] During operation of the disk drive 100, the rotation of the magnetic disk 112 generates an air bearing between the glider 113 and the disk surface 122, which exerts an upward force or lift on the glider 113. The air bearing thus compensates for the small spring force of the suspension 115 and, during normal operation, carries the glider 113 at a small, essentially constant distance away from and slightly above the disk surface 122.

[0018] The various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled during operation by control signals generated by the control unit 129, such as access control signals and internal clock signals. The control unit 129 typically includes logic control circuits, storage means, and a microprocessor. The control unit 129 generates control signals for various system processes, such as drive motor control signals on line 123 and head position and search control signals on line 128. The control signals on line 128 provide the required current profiles to optimally move and position the slider 113 on the desired data track on the magnetic disk 112. Write and read signals are transmitted to and from the head assembly 121 via the recording channel 125. Certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive of Fig. 1 may also include a variety of media or plates, a variety of actuators and / or a variety of gliders.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a cross-sectional side view of a HAMR write head 230 facing a magnetic disk 112. The HAMR write head 230 can be used for a portion of the in Fig. 1 read / record head assembly 121 described in section 1 or a recording head used in other magnetic media drives. The HAMR write head 230 includes a media-side surface (MFS), such as an air bearing surface (ABS) or a gas bearing surface (GBS), facing the disk 112. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the magnetic disk 112 and the HAMR write head 230 move relatively in the direction indicated by the arrows 282 (change of direction required).

[0020] The HAMR write head 230 includes a main pole 236 located between a front return shield 234 and a rear return shield 238. The main pole 236 may include a main pole tip 237 on the MFS. The main pole tip 237 may or may not include a front taper and / or a rear taper. A coil 260 surrounding the main pole 236 excites the main pole tip 237 to generate a writing magnetic field for influencing a magnetic medium of the rotatable magnetic disk 112. The coil 260 may be a helical structure or one or more sets of flat structures. The front return shield 234 and / or the rear return shield 238 may act as the return pole for the main pole 236.

[0021] The magnetic disk 112 is positioned adjacent to or below the HAMR write head 230. A magnetic field generated by current in the coil 260 is used to control the magnetization direction of bits in the magnetic disk 112.

[0022] The HAMR write head 230 incorporates a structure for heating the magnetic disk 112 near the point where the main pole tip 237 applies the magnetic writing field to the storage medium. A waveguide 242 is positioned between the main pole 236 and the front return shield 234. The waveguide 242 may include a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer. The waveguide 242 guides light from a light source 278 of electromagnetic radiation, which may be, for example, ultraviolet, infrared, or visible light. The light source 278 may be, for example, an edge-emitting laser diode (EELD), a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL), a laser diode, or another suitable laser light source for directing a light beam onto the waveguide 242.

[0023] Various techniques known for coupling the light source 278 into the waveguide 242 can be used. For example, the light source 278 can operate in combination with an optical fiber and external optics to direct a beam of light onto the waveguide 242. Alternatively, the light source 278 can be mounted on the waveguide 242, and the light beam can be coupled directly into the waveguide 242 without the need for external optical devices. Once the light beam is coupled into the waveguide 242, the light propagates through the waveguide and heats a section of the medium as the medium moves relative to the HAMR write head 230, as indicated by arrows 282.

[0024] The HAMR write head 230 can incorporate a near-field transducer (NFT) 284 to concentrate heat near the end of the waveguide 242. The NFT 284 is positioned within or adjacent to the waveguide 242, near or on the magnetic surface plate (MFS). Light from the waveguide 242 is absorbed by the NFT 284 and excites surface plasmons that migrate along the outside of the NFT 284 toward the MFS, thereby concentrating an electrical charge at the tip of the NFT 284. This charge then capacitively couples to the magnetic plate and heats a precise area of ​​the magnetic plate 112 by Joule heating. One possible NFT 284 for the HAMR write head is a lollipop-shaped configuration with a plate section and a pin extending between the plate and the MFS. The NFT 284 absorbs heat from the waveguide light, which can negatively affect the reliability of the HAMR 230 write head.Surrounding metal acts as a heat sink to minimize the temperature.

[0025] Optical power from an external coherent light source (i.e., EELD, surface-emitting diode laser, VCSEL device, or fiber-coupled diode laser) is coupled into the PLC of the HAMR head glider via the SSC or mode converter. The fundamental design concept is to match both the mode profile of the incident light source and the mode profile of the PLC at the coupling interface, thereby maximizing the overall coupling efficiency.

[0026] While Fig. 2 shows a general setup of a HAMR recording head, illustrate Fig. 3A to 3B a magnetic recording head assembly 300 in which the VCSEL array is mounted on the trailing edge of the slider, according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3A illustrates a view of a trailing edge surface 302b of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, and Fig. Figure 3B illustrates a top view of the magnetic recording head assembly 300. Fig. Figures 3C to 3D illustrate a VCSEL device 304 of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 3C illustrates a front or output surface 304a (or a surface facing the glider) of the VCSEL device 304, and Fig. 3D illustrates a rear surface 304b (or a surface facing a suspension tab) of the VCSEL device 304. The magnetic recording head assembly 300 can be used in combination with the HAMR write head 230. Fig. 2 can be used and can be part of the in Fig. 1 read / record head assembly 121 described above or a recording head used in other magnetic media drives.

[0027] When the glider 302 and a magnetic recording head 314 move over a rotating medium such as a disk, one side of the glider 302 leads or runs over the medium, while the opposite side trails or runs over the medium last. As used herein, the trailing edge surface 302b of the glider 302 refers to the side of the glider 302 that runs over the medium last. The magnetic recording head 314 can access elements of the HAMR head 230. Fig. 2 included. However, unlike the light source 278 in Fig. 2, which is mounted on the upper surface of the glider, show Fig. 3A to 3D a VCSEL device 304, which is mounted on this trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302. With further reference to Fig. 3A the slider 302 has an upper surface 302a which is arranged opposite an MFS, a leading edge surface which is arranged adjacent to the upper surface 302a, a trailing edge surface 302b which is arranged opposite the leading edge surface, and a media-side surface which is arranged opposite the upper surface 302a.

[0028] The magnetic recording head assembly 300 has a slider 302 with a plurality of contact pads 308, such as 2 to 32 contact pads, arranged on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 (adjacent to an upper surface 302a) to support the suspension (not shown; the suspension can be the suspension 115 of Fig. 1) to contact or be connected to. The slider 302, for example, has a ceramic material. The contact pads 308 each have a first width 320 of about 25 µm or more, with the distance 321 between adjacent contact pads 308 being about 32 µm. The values ​​listed above are not intended to be limiting but to provide an example of an embodiment. A heat sink contact pad or stud 306 is arranged adjacent to a contact pad 308. The heat sink contact pad 306 can have the same width 320 as the contact pads 308 and can have a distance 321 from the adjacent contact pad 308. These contact pads provide electrical connection points for the switching logic of the disk drive for power supply and control of the magnetic recording head on the slider. The contact pads are connected to electrical paths that run through a suspension of the disk drive.

[0029] An optical grating 310 is arranged between the heat sink bolt 306 and a contact pad 308. The optical grating 310 can be part of the planar optical circuit (PLC). In some embodiments, the optical grating 310 is arranged on core materials of the waveguide 242, such as Ta₂O₅ or Nb₂O₅. The recording head 314 is arranged on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302, as shown in Fig. 3B shown. The dashed box illustrates where a VCSEL device 304 is attached to the glider 302 on the trailing edge surface 302b, as shown in Fig. Figure 3B shows the VCSEL device 304 positioned and aligned above the heatsink bolt 306 and the grid 310, as explained below. The grid 310 is coupled to the waveguide 242 of the recording head 314, and the waveguide 242 is coupled to the NFT 284 of the recording head 314. The NFT 284 is mounted on an MFS, as shown above in Figure 3B. Fig. 2 described.

[0030] The optical grating 310 guides light emitted from a coherent VCSEL array 312 into the waveguide 242. The grating 310 has a dielectric material with a high refractive index and a repeating diffraction pattern that deflects light from the VCSEL array 312 and rotates or directs the light approximately 90 degrees into the waveguide 242 (i.e., in the -y direction). The grating 310 may be curved and / or blazed (e.g., wedge-shaped) to couple the laser output of the VCSEL array 312 into the tapered waveguide 242. The period of the optical grating 310 is tuned to half the effective wavelength of the light, as is known in the art. The waveguide 242 then directs the light from the grating 310 to the NFT 284 at the MFS.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the VCSEL device 304 is mounted on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 via a first electrode of a contact pad 316. A first electrode or contact pad 316 is arranged adjacent to the coherent VCSEL array 312 on a front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304, or a surface facing the recording head, as shown in Figure 3B. Fig. Figure 3C shows the first contact pad 316 mounted on the heatsink bolt 306 to conduct heat away from the VCSEL array 312 and into the ceramic slider 302. The first contact pad 316 can have the same width 320 as the contact pads 308. The heatsink bolt 306 is located on the magnetic recording head 314 (shown here as a rectangle to represent the different layers of the recording head 314). The VCSEL array 312 is aligned with the grid 310 to output light to the grid 310. The waveguide 242 and the NFT 284 are in Fig. 3B is not shown because it is located below grid 310 in the -y direction (i.e., into the side).

[0032] The VCSEL device 304 further comprises a second contact pad or electrode 318a and a third contact pad or electrode 318b, which are arranged on a rear surface 304b of the VCSEL device 304, as shown in Fig. Shown in 3D. The rear surface 304b is located opposite the front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304. The second contact pad 318a and the third contact pad 318b are each connected to the suspension, similar to the multitude of contact pads 308, and to the laser diode of the VCSEL array 312 to allow current flow through the laser diode. The second contact pad 318a is also connected to the laser substrate, and the third contact pad 318b is isolated from the laser substrate (or vice versa). Rather, the third contact pad 318b extends through the VCSEL device 304 to connect to the laser diode of the VCSEL array 312 to power the lasers of the VCSEL array 312. The return current path is to the laser substrate and to contact pad 318a. The second and third contact pads 318a, 318b can have the same dimensions and spacing as the multitude of contact pads 308.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3C, the VCSEL array 312 has a plurality of apertures 322 through which a plurality of lasers are output to the grating 310. The plurality of apertures 322 of the VCSEL array 312 is linear. The number of apertures 322 corresponds to the number of lasers in the VCSEL array 312. Although four apertures 322 are shown, the VCSEL array 312 can have any number of apertures 322, from 2 apertures and lasers to 32 apertures and lasers. Each aperture 322 has a size of approximately 1 µm to approximately 10 µm. Each aperture 322 is spaced from an adjacent aperture 322 in the x-direction by approximately 2 µm to approximately 20 µm. The output laser power per aperture 322 is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW. The light emitted by the VCSEL apertures 322 is coherent and in phase (e.g., the emitted light is like a single beam).

[0034] The lasers emitted by the VCSEL array 312 are all in phase, rather than, for example, phase-shifted by 180 degrees (i.e., 0 degrees phase-shifted), and have no mode jumps. Furthermore, the multitude of lasers emitted by the VCSEL array 312 each have the same frequency and are phase-coherent. Each multitude of lasers has single-mode outputs and a defined polarization direction. Each multitude of lasers has an active region (e.g., a region where the laser excited electrons). These active regions are spaced close enough together to allow for coupling and phase coherence.

[0035] Mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 reduces the overall height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, allowing for a smaller disk-to-disk spacing, a potentially higher number of disks, and increased HDD capacity. Furthermore, when mounting VCSEL chips on a top surface of the slider, side electrodes are often used to connect to the suspension. However, these side electrodes or contacts increase the complexity and cost of the VCSEL chip. By mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the trailing edge surface 302b, electrodes or contact pads 316, 318a, 318b are only required on the rear surface 304b and the front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304.Thus, by mounting the VCSEL device 304 on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302, complexity and costs during manufacturing are reduced, while at the same time the height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 is reduced, the distance between plates is reduced and the capacity of the magnetic recording drive is increased.

[0036] VCSELs offer several significant advantages when used as light sources in HAMR. The edge-emitting laser diode (EELD) used is typically mounted on a submount because it is difficult to bond the laser's edge-emitting facet directly to the top surface of the slider. This submount is then bonded to the slider. A VCSEL can easily incorporate bond electrodes on its surface-emitting area that align with corresponding electrodes on the slider's trailing edge surface. This allows light to be emitted from the trailing edge surface onto the grating when used with a grating, which then directs the light at a 90-degree angle to the waveguide. These electrodes can be joined together by laser-assisted soldering and can also serve as electrical connections for supplying power to the laser.

[0037] By eliminating the need for a submount, light source costs can be significantly reduced. The VCSEL laser facet is fabricated at the wafer level, further reducing costs compared to EELD. A VCSEL output beam is also larger and more circular than that of an EELD, increasing alignment tolerance and coupling efficiency with the slider dot size converter. VCSELs are known to have higher reliability than EELDs due to a larger, less intense optical mode and the wafer faceting process. As a result, VCSELs do not require burn-in during fabrication, further reducing costs. Because the VCSEL resonator is shorter than that of an EELD, and the laser is mounted on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the reduced overall height allows for a smaller board-to-board spacing, potentially enabling more boards and higher HDD capacity.

[0038] Furthermore, VCSELs, due to their very short resonator length with longitudinal mode and DBR mirror selectivity, exhibit mode-hopping-free operation, whereas EELDs are subject to mode hopping. Mode hopping can cause a small (usually 1 to 2%) change in laser power to suddenly occur during the recording process. The possibility of path width changes and bit shifts must be taken into account, which reduces the HDD capacity.

[0039] The primary technical problem with VCSELs is their relatively low output power compared to EELDs. Multimode VCSELs can have a higher output power than single-mode VCSELs; however, the waveguides and NFTs used to create the heat spot on the board for HAMR require single-mode operation. Single-mode VCSELs typically have a maximum output power of only about 2 mW, far below the 10 mW to 20 mW required for HAMR. Due to wavefront decoherence, an efficient increase in output cannot be achieved by combining the outputs from multiple separate VCSELs. If the active regions of adjacent VCSELs are brought very close together, the wavefunctions overlap sufficiently to create coupling and phase coherence between their outputs.With the right VCSEL design and light supply scheme, these outputs can be combined into a single waveguide with the required single-mode power of 5 mW to 10 mW needed by the NFT for HAMR.

[0040] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface, a vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device being arranged above the optical grating, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider.

[0041] The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting the plurality of lasers through a plurality of laser apertures onto the optical grating. The output laser power per laser aperture is approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW, and the plurality of laser apertures ranges from 2 apertures to 32 apertures. The magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, with the waveguide extending from an upper surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT and the NFT being located on the media-side surface. The optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees toward the waveguide. A magnetic media drive incorporates the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0042] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface and a heat sink bolt adjacent to the optical grating, a vertical resonator surface-emitting laser device (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0043] The optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide, the waveguide being capable of directing the emitted light to the NFT. The VCSEL device has a front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the glider and a rear surface opposite the front surface, with a first contact pad and a VCSEL array arranged on the front surface and a second and third contact pads arranged on the rear surface. The first contact pad is connected to the heatsink bolt, with the VCSEL array aligned with the optical grating, and the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array.The slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads on its trailing edge surface, the width of which is the same as the width of the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. The slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads, the distance between any two contact pads of the slider being substantially equal to the distance between the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. The plurality of lasers operates at the same frequency, the plurality of lasers being emitted through a plurality of laser apertures, the plurality of laser apertures being linearly arranged. Each laser aperture has a size of approximately 1 µm to approximately 10 µm, with an output laser power per laser aperture of approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW, and each laser aperture being spaced approximately 2 µm to approximately 20 µm from an adjacent laser aperture.A magnetic media drive includes the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0044] In a further embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly comprises a slider comprising: a media-side surface, an upper surface opposite the media-side surface, a trailing-edge surface adjacent to the upper surface, a leading-edge surface opposite the trailing-edge surface, an optical grating arranged on the trailing-edge surface, and a heat sink bolt arranged adjacent to the optical grating, a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing-edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device comprises: a first contact pad arranged on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing-edge surface of the slider, and a VCSEL array arranged adjacent to the first contact pad, the VCSEL array having a plurality of laser apertures.wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures, and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing edge surface of the glider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0045] The first contact pad is connected to the heatsink bolt, with the VCSEL array aligned with the optical grating. The optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide, which in turn directs the emitted light to the NFT. The multiple lasers operate at the same frequency, with an output laser power of approximately 0.5 mW to approximately 10 mW per laser aperture. The multiple laser apertures are arranged linearly, with a total of 2 to 32 apertures. A magnetic media drive incorporates the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0046] While the foregoing relates to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be elaborated without deviating from the basic scope of protection, and the scope of protection is determined by the following claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 18 / 230,018

[0001] US 63 / 523,839

[0001] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Phase-Coherent In-Line VCSEL Array with Slider Trailing Mount for HAMR“, eingereicht am 3. August 2023

[0001]

Claims

[1] Magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a glider, having: a media-side surface; an upper surface opposite the media-side surface; a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface; a front edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface; and an optical grating arranged on the trailing edge surface; a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing edge surface of the glider, wherein the VCSEL device is arranged above the optical grating; and a magnetic recording head located on the trailing edge surface of the glider. [2] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers. [3] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 2, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting the plurality of lasers through a plurality of laser apertures onto the optical grating. [4] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 3, wherein an output laser power per laser aperture is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW and wherein the plurality of laser apertures is 2 to 32 apertures. [5] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, wherein the waveguide extends from an upper surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT and the NFT is arranged on the media-side surface. [6] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 5, wherein the optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide. [7] Magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1. [8] Magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a glider, having: a media-side surface; an upper surface opposite the media-side surface; a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface; a front edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface; an optical grating arranged on the trailing edge surface; and a heat sink bolt located adjacent to the optical grating; a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing edge surface of the glider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. [9] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide, and wherein the waveguide is capable of directing the emitted light to the NFT. [10] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the VCSEL device has a front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider and a rear surface opposite the front surface, wherein a first contact pad and a VCSEL array are arranged on the front surface and wherein a second contact pad and a third contact pad are arranged on the rear surface. [11] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink bolt, wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grating and wherein the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array. [12] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads on the trailing edge surface and wherein the width of the contact pads is the same as the width of the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. [13] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slider further comprises a plurality of contact pads and wherein a distance between at least two of the contact pads of the slider is substantially equal to a distance between the second and third contact pad on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. [14] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, wherein the plurality of lasers is emitted through a plurality of laser apertures and wherein the plurality of laser apertures is arranged linearly. [15] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 14, wherein each laser aperture has a size of about 1 µm to about 10 µm, wherein an output laser power per laser aperture is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW and wherein each laser aperture has a distance of about 2 µm to about 20 µm from an adjacent laser aperture. [16] Magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8. [17] Magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a glider, having: a media-side surface; an upper surface opposite the media-side surface; a trailing edge surface adjacent to the upper surface; a front edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface; an optical grating arranged on the trailing edge surface; and a heat sink bolt located adjacent to the optical grating; a surface-emitting laser device with a vertical resonator (VCSEL device) coupled to the trailing edge surface of the glider, wherein the VCSEL device comprises: a first contact pad arranged on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider; and a VCSEL array arranged adjacent to the first contact pad, wherein the VCSEL array has a plurality of laser apertures, and wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser apertures; and a magnetic recording head arranged on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. [18] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink bolt, wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the optical grating. [19] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the optical grating is capable of directing light emitted by the VCSEL device at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide, and wherein the waveguide is capable of directing the emitted light to the NFT. [20] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency and wherein an output laser power per laser aperture is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW. [21] Magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of laser apertures is arranged linearly and wherein the plurality of laser apertures is 2 apertures to 32 apertures. [22] Magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17.

Images