Amorphous Interlayer for Plasmon Generator and Magnetic Pole
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermally-assisted magnetic recording heads, interdiffusion between the plasmon generator and the magnetic pole occurs due to temperature increases, leading to reduced efficiency and degradation of magnetic properties, and existing solutions with dielectric materials face adhesion issues.
Innovation Solution
An amorphous layer made of nonmagnetic metal is interposed between the plasmon generator and the magnetic pole, or the magnetic pole is made of amorphous magnetic metal with a contact surface, and in another embodiment, the magnetic pole has a grain size greater than the effective track width to prevent interdiffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the plasmon generator and magnetic pole are placed in close proximity for thermally-assisted magnetic recording, then the near-field light generation efficiency is improved, but interdiffusion of materials occurs due to temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
An amorphous layer is introduced as an intermediary between the plasmon generator and magnetic pole. This layer prevents direct contact and interdiffusion of materials while allowing thermal energy transfer for near-field light generation. The amorphous structure provides a diffusion barrier that maintains material stability under operating temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including amorphous magnetic metal layers combined with crystalline magnetic pole materials. This composite approach allows the amorphous layer to provide thermal stability and diffusion resistance while maintaining the magnetic properties needed for recording operation.
2Reliability
If a dielectric material is used to prevent interdiffusion between plasmon generator and magnetic pole, then material stability is improved, but adhesion between components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and structural parameters of the magnetic pole material by using amorphous magnetic metal instead of conventional crystalline materials. This parameter change enables the material to maintain both diffusion resistance and strong adhesion properties, overcoming the limitation of dielectric materials that provide stability but poor adhesion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents interdiffusion and enhances adhesion, maintaining the efficiency and magnetic properties of the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head by using an amorphous layer or amorphous magnetic metal in the magnetic pole, thereby improving the recording head's performance.
Implementation Method 1
A known method for generating near-field light is to use a plasmon generator, which is a piece of metal that generates near-field light from plasmons excited by irradiation with light.
Implementation Method 2
The plasmon generator has a near-field light generating part located in the medium facing surface, and is configured so that a surface plasmon is excited on the plasmon generator based on the light propagating through the core and the near-field light generating part generates near-field light based on the surface plasmon.
Implementation Method 3
An amorphous layer made of nonmagnetic metal is interposed between the plasmon generator and the magnetic pole
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a magnetic pole, a waveguide, and a plasmon generator. The plasmon generator and the magnetic pole are disposed to align in the direction of travel of a magnetic recording medium. The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head further includes an amorphous layer made of a nonmagnetic metal, the amorphous layer being interposed between and in contact with the plasmon generator and the magnetic pole.