Thermally-Assisted Magnetic Recording Head With Dual Plasmon Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally-assisted magnetic recording heads face inefficiencies in converting laser light to near-field light, leading to excessive temperature increases in plasmon generators, which can cause damage and limit the application of sufficient heat to recording media.
Innovation Solution
The proposed thermally-assisted magnetic recording head employs a dual plasmon generator configuration, utilizing evanescent light to excite surface plasmons on both the first and second plasmon generators, with the first generator preheating the recording medium and the second generator further heating it to the required temperature, thereby reducing temperature rises in the plasmon generators and ensuring sufficient heat application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single plasmon generator is directly irradiated with laser light to excite plasmons, then near-field light is generated for heating the recording medium, but the plasmon generator experiences excessive temperature increase causing damage and limited heat application capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single plasmon generator into two separate plasmon generators (first and second plasmon generators) positioned at different locations. The first plasmon generator is positioned closer to the recording medium to provide primary heating, while the second plasmon generator provides additional heating. This segmentation allows the heat generation function to be distributed across multiple components, preventing any single component from experiencing excessive temperature increase and potential damage, while still achieving sufficient heating of the recording medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (waveguide) to control and direct the laser light to the plasmon generators. The waveguide acts as a mediator between the laser light source and the plasmon generators, enabling precise control of light delivery. This intermediary structure allows efficient energy transfer to the plasmon generators while protecting them from direct exposure to excessive laser energy, thereby maintaining their temperature stability.
2Power
If laser light power is increased to apply sufficient heat to the recording medium, then heating effectiveness improves, but the plasmon generator temperature rises excessively causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The total heating power requirement is segmented and distributed across two plasmon generators. Each plasmon generator operates at a lower, safer power level while collectively providing the necessary total heating power to the recording medium. This segmentation prevents any single plasmon generator from experiencing thermal damage while maintaining sufficient heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The first plasmon generator performs preliminary heating of the recording medium before the second plasmon generator provides additional heating. This sequential preliminary action allows the recording medium to be heated to an intermediate temperature level by the first generator, reducing the thermal burden on the second generator and preventing excessive temperature rise in either generator while achieving the required total heating effect.
3Productivity
If a single plasmon generator is used, then device complexity is reduced, but heat application efficiency and temperature control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into two independent plasmon generators with distinct roles: the first plasmon generator provides primary heating and the second provides supplementary heating. This segmentation enables better control over heat application efficiency and temperature distribution, allowing each generator to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving superior heat application performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The two plasmon generators are positioned at different locations with different functional characteristics. The first plasmon generator is positioned closer to the recording medium for intensive local heating, while the second plasmon generator is positioned to provide distributed supplementary heating. This local quality differentiation optimizes heat application efficiency for different regions of the recording medium while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
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 allows for efficient heat application to the recording medium while minimizing temperature increases in the plasmon generators, enhancing thermal stability and data writing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide including a core and a cladding, the core allowing light to propagate therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The core has a first evanescent light generating surface facing toward the first plasmon generator, and a second evanescent light generating surface facing toward the second plasmon generator
Implementation Method 3
The first plasmon generator is configured so that a first surface plasmon is excited on the first plasmon exciting section through coupling with the first evanescent light generated by the first evanescent light generating surface
Implementation Method 4
The first near-field light generating section generates first near-field light based on the first surface plasmon
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a waveguide, a first plasmon generator, and a second plasmon generator. The waveguide includes a core and a cladding. The first plasmon generator is located on the leading side of the core. The second plasmon generator is located on the trailing side of the core. The cladding includes a first interposition section and a second interposition section, the first interposition section being interposed between the core and the first plasmon generator, the second interposition section being interposed between the core and the second plasmon generator.