EAMR Head Shingle Writing for High Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducers face challenges in achieving higher recording densities due to the limitations of thermal spot size, which affects track pitch and recording performance, and shrinking optical components to smaller sizes is fabrication-intensive and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an EAMR head with a laser and transducer to write data in a 'shingle' pattern, where tracks are written within a block and stepped radially, allowing for a smaller track pitch without requiring significant changes to the transducer's fabrication, thereby reducing sensitivity to thermal and optical spot sizes and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the thermal spot size is reduced to achieve higher recording densities, then the track pitch can be reduced, but the optical components must be shrunk which makes fabrication challenging and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal spot size parameter by using larger optical spots that still achieve adequate thermal confinement through media design (higher thermal conductivity underlayers). This allows maintaining reliable fabrication while achieving the desired track pitch reduction, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture.
2Productivity
If the thermal spot size is reduced to write at higher densities, then more tracks can be packed, but the optical components within the transducer must be shrunk which is fabrication-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent decouples the relationship between optical spot size and thermal spot size by changing the thermal conductivity parameter of the media. This allows using larger optical spots (easier to fabricate) while achieving smaller effective thermal spots through media design, thus improving productivity without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spot size is made larger to facilitate fabrication, then manufacturing becomes easier, but tracks may be significantly or completely erased due to thermal diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using media with spatially varying thermal conductivity - specifically, higher thermal conductivity underlayers positioned directly under the write region. This creates localized thermal confinement that prevents thermal diffusion to adjacent tracks while allowing larger optical spots for easier fabrication, thus improving both ease of manufacture and track integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the media structure to achieve thermal confinement. By adjusting this physical parameter, the system can use larger optical spots without causing thermal erosion of adjacent tracks, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and track integrity.
4Temperature
If conventional media with lower thermal conductivity underlayers are used, then thermal spot size increases, but this limits the ability to reduce track pitch for higher density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using higher thermal conductivity underlayers instead of lower thermal conductivity layers. This parameter change allows the thermal spot to be confined to a smaller region even with larger optical spots, enabling higher recording density while maintaining adequate thermal confinement for reliable writing.
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 enables higher recording densities with reduced thermal cycling and power requirements, enhancing the reliability and flexibility of EAMR technology without the need for extensive re-engineering of the transducer components.
Implementation Method 1
The laser(s) provide energy. The EAMR transducer(s) are configured to direct the energy to spot(s) on the media... The energy delivered to the conventional media through optical spot heats a small region of the conventional media. The region heated is known as the thermal spot.
Implementation Method 2
The EAMR transducer receives light, or energy, from the conventional laser. More specifically, light from the laser is coupled into the grating. A waveguide and, in some embodiments, a near field transducer within the EAMR transducer direct the light from the grating to the media.
Implementation Method 3
The region of the conventional media within the thermal spot has a reduced coercivity due to its higher temperature. Therefore, the conventional EAMR transducer may more easily write to the conventional media.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for writing data to a media utilizing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The EAMR head includes at least one laser and at least one EAMR transducer. The laser(s) provide energy. The EAMR transducer(s) are coupled with the laser. The EAMR transducer(s) are configured to direct the energy to spot(s) on the media and to write a plurality of tracks of data in a block. The method and system include writing a track of the plurality of tracks on the media within the spot(s) using the EAMR transducer and stepping a track pitch along a particular radial direction on the media. The method and system also include repeating the writing and stepping steps until the plurality of tracks for the block is written.