Dual Soft Underlayer HAMR Medium for Magnetic Field Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) systems face challenges in increasing magnetic field strength within magnetic recording layers during write operations without thickening the soft underlayer (SUL), which can be difficult to deposit and may compromise thermal characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second soft underlayer (SUL) above a heatsink layer, thinner than the first SUL, to provide an additional return path for magnetic flux, allowing for increased magnetic field strength without the need for a thicker initial SUL, while maintaining good thermal characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the soft underlayer (SUL) is thickened to increase magnetic field strength, then the magnetic field strength within the magnetic recording layer is improved, but the deposition difficulty increases and thermal characteristics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single thick SUL into multiple thinner SUL layers separated by non-magnetic spacer layers. This segmentation allows each layer to be deposited more easily while collectively providing the required magnetic field strength, and improves thermal characteristics by reducing the total thickness of the SUL.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer SUL structure to a multi-layer SUL structure with spacer layers in between. This dimensional change in the layer architecture enables improved deposition characteristics and thermal performance while maintaining or enhancing the magnetic field strength.
2Strength
If the soft underlayer (SUL) is thickened to increase magnetic field strength, then the magnetic field strength within the magnetic recording layer is improved, but the thermal characteristics are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thick SUL into multiple thinner layers with non-magnetic spacers, reducing the total SUL thickness. This improves thermal characteristics by allowing better heat dissipation while maintaining the cumulative magnetic field strength needed for effective writing.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-magnetic spacer layers act as intermediaries between the SUL layers, providing thermal management benefits by facilitating heat dissipation while allowing the magnetic flux to pass through and accumulate the necessary field strength.
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 achieves a 10-15% increase in magnetic field strength within the magnetic recording layer during write operations, allowing for thinner SUL deposition and improved thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first soft underlayer (SUL) on the substrate, wherein the first SUL is configured and positioned within the magnetic recording medium to provide a first return path for magnetic flux
Implementation Method 2
a second SUL on the heatsink layer, wherein the second SUL is configured and positioned within the magnetic recording medium to provide a second return path, different from the first return path, for magnetic flux
Implementation Method 3
a heatsink layer on the first SUL
Data Source
AI summary
Various apparatuses, systems, methods, and media are disclosed for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) that, in some examples, provide a HAMR medium with two soft underlayers (SULs) on opposing sides of a single heatsink layer. For example, a magnetic recording medium is provided that includes a lower SUL on a substrate. The lower SUL is configured and positioned within the medium to provide a first return path for magnetic flux from a magnetic recording head during a write operation. The medium also includes a heatsink layer on the lower SUL and an upper SUL on the heatsink layer. The upper SUL is configured and positioned within the medium to provide a second return path for magnetic flux from the magnetic recording head. A magnetic recording layer is provided on the upper SUL to store information during the write operation. Additional layers or films may be provided as well.