Core/Shell Near Field Transducer for HAMR Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) devices face limitations in areal data density due to superparamagnetic effects, and existing technologies struggle to effectively manage heat generated during recording operations, leading to issues like peg recession and reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
The use of a core/shell structure in the near field transducer and heat sink regions, where the inner core has a higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell has a lower electron-phonon coupling constant, facilitates improved thermal management by creating an effective thermal pathway to dissipate heat away from the near field transducer region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional single-material structure is used in the near field transducer and heat sink regions, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal management is ineffective leading to heat accumulation and peg recession
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by constructing the near field transducer and heat sink regions with a core/shell structure where the inner core and outer shell are made of different materials with distinct electron-phonon coupling constants. This composite structure enables effective thermal management by creating a thermal pathway that dissipates heat from the near field transducer region, thereby reducing temperature rise while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different material properties to different regions within the near field transducer and heat sink structures. Specifically, the inner core uses a material with higher electron-phonon coupling constant for efficient heat generation and transfer, while the outer shell uses a material with lower electron-phonon coupling constant for controlled heat dissipation. This spatial differentiation of material properties optimizes thermal management locally without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Reliability
If effective heat dissipation is implemented using advanced thermal management structures, then operational life is extended and peg recession is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials with specific electron-phonon coupling constant differences to create an intrinsic thermal management system. The inner core material (higher coupling constant) efficiently transfers heat to the outer shell material (lower coupling constant), which then dissipates heat to the surrounding environment. This material-based thermal management approach extends operational life and minimizes peg recession while maintaining a relatively straightforward core/shell structural geometry that can be manufactured using existing deposition techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management mechanism through the outer shell material, which acts as a mediator between the heat-generating inner core and the external environment. The outer shell material with lower electron-phonon coupling constant controls the heat transfer rate, preventing excessive heat accumulation while still allowing effective heat dissipation. This intermediary structure protects the near field transducer region from thermal damage, thereby extending device operational life.
3Productivity
If uniform material properties are used throughout the heat sink and near field transducer regions, then manufacturing is simplified and material selection is easier, but thermal pathways are insufficient leading to heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite materials consisting of an inner core and outer shell made from different materials with distinct electron-phonon coupling constants. The inner core material with higher electron-phonon coupling constant efficiently converts electrical energy to heat and transfers it to the outer shell, while the outer shell material with lower coupling constant dissipates this heat to the environment. This composite structure creates effective thermal pathways that significantly improve heat dissipation efficiency compared to uniform material structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating material properties between the inner core and outer shell regions. The inner core region uses material optimized for heat generation and internal transfer (higher electron-phonon coupling constant), while the outer shell region uses material optimized for heat dissipation to the environment (lower electron-phonon coupling constant). This local differentiation of material quality creates optimized thermal pathways throughout the structure, enhancing overall heat dissipation efficiency.
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 configuration reduces temperature rises in the near field transducer region, minimizing peg recession and enhancing the operational life and reliability of HAMR devices by effectively transferring heat to the heat sink region.
Implementation Method 1
The inner core is comprised of a material having a relatively higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell is comprised of a material having a relatively lower electron-phonon coupling constant
Implementation Method 2
facilitates improved thermal management by creating an effective thermal pathway to dissipate heat away from the near field transducer region
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed related to heat assisted magnetic recording. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that includes a heat sink region and a near field transducer region is disclosed. The near field transducer region is thermally coupled to the heat sink region. At least one of the heat sink region and the near field transducer region includes both an inner core and an outer shell. The inner core can be comprised of a non-plasmonic material and the outer shell can be comprised of a plasmonic material. In further embodiments, the inner core is comprised of a material having a relatively higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell is comprised of a material having a relatively lower electron-phonon coupling constant.