Angled Light Channel Slider with Refractive Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermally assisted recording systems, challenges arise in maximizing power transfer to the magnetic medium while minimizing light path losses, particularly due to thermal fluctuations affecting bit stability and coercivity, which leads to data loss and increased system power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a slider or magnetic head with a first and second light channel oriented at an angle less than 180 degrees, featuring a reflection portion with a different index of refraction, allowing for efficient light reflection and minimizing losses through total internal reflection, thereby enhancing power transfer and reducing thermal fluctuations' impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If light is redirected through angled light channels in the slider, then light reflection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise angular alignment and reflection portion integration
Solution Approach 1:
The light path is segmented into multiple channels (first light channel and second light channel) with a reflection portion in between. This segmentation allows the light to be redirected at angles while maintaining control over the optical path, reducing losses compared to a single straight path that would require precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflection portion with a different index of refraction is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second light channels. This intermediary enables efficient light redirection through total internal reflection or refraction at the interface, achieving low-loss light path bending without requiring complex external optical components.
2Power
If higher power is transferred to the magnetic medium for thermally assisted recording, then recording capability is improved, but thermal fluctuations increase affecting bit stability and causing data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic heating cycles where high power is applied briefly to assist writing, then reduced to maintain bit stability. The light channels are configured to deliver concentrated optical power during writing operations, followed by reduced power during data storage to minimize thermal fluctuations that could cause bit instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled light channel configuration with reflection portions enables highly localized power delivery to specific regions of the magnetic medium. By concentrating optical power precisely where needed through the angled geometry, the system achieves effective thermal assistance for writing while limiting the overall thermal load on the storage medium, thereby maintaining bit stability.
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
This approach achieves high light reflection efficiency, reducing power consumption and extending the life of heating devices while maintaining data integrity by minimizing thermal fluctuations' impact on bit stability.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection portion adjacent an exit of the first light channel and an entrance to the second light channel, the reflection portion having an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the first light channel, such that light from the first light channel is reflected into the second light channel
Data Source
AI summary
A system according to one embodiment comprises a slider having a first light channel and a second light channel, the first and second light channels having axes oriented at an angle relative to each other, the angle being less than 180 degrees; and a reflection portion adjacent an exit of the first light channel and an entrance to the second light channel, the reflection portion having an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the first light channel, such that light from the first light channel is reflected into the second light channel. Additional systems and methods are provided.