Laser Alignment Waveguide for EAMR Transducer Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of conventional energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drives is hindered by difficulties in aligning the laser diode with the EAMR transducer, leading to suboptimal optical efficiency and performance, as passive alignment is inefficient while active alignment is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a multi-emitter laser with a main emitter and an alignment emitter, along with alignment waveguides and output devices, allows for both passive and active alignment methods to improve the precision and ease of aligning the laser with the EAMR transducer, utilizing fiducial marks and independent power control for the alignment emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passive alignment is used to align the laser diode with the EAMR transducer, then the alignment process is simple and fast, but the alignment precision is insufficient leading to suboptimal optical efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
An alignment waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser diode and the EAMR transducer. The alignment waveguide receives light from the laser diode and guides it to an alignment output, enabling precise alignment through optical field monitoring without requiring direct alignment between the laser diode and transducer. This mediator structure allows high-precision alignment while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with optical field-based alignment. Instead of relying on mechanical positioning or fiducial marks, the alignment process uses the optical field from the laser diode, coupled into the alignment waveguide, and detected at the alignment output. This substitution enables non-contact, high-precision alignment that is both fast and accurate.
2Manufacturing precision
If active alignment is used to align the laser diode with the EAMR transducer, then the alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment waveguide and alignment output are fabricated in advance as integral parts of the EAMR transducer structure before the alignment process. This preliminary preparation allows the alignment operation to be performed quickly and efficiently, as the alignment path is already established. The preliminary structuring of the alignment waveguide enables rapid alignment without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment waveguide serves as a pre-configured intermediary that simplifies the active alignment process. By having the alignment waveguide and alignment output prepared in advance, the active alignment operation becomes more efficient. The pre-established optical path allows for faster measurement and adjustment, reducing the time and cost penalties typically associated with active alignment methods.
3Loss of energy
If the laser diode is closely aligned with the EAMR transducer, then the optical efficiency is improved, but the alignment process becomes more costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment waveguide acts as an intermediary that decouples the complex alignment task from the final laser-transducer interface. The alignment waveguide captures and guides the laser light to an accessible alignment output, enabling precise alignment measurement without requiring direct access to the laser-transducer interface. This intermediary structure simplifies the alignment process while ensuring optimal optical coupling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional spatial dimension for alignment by creating an alignment output that is accessible from a different location than the main transducer interface. The alignment waveguide extends the optical path to a separate alignment output, allowing alignment to be performed from a convenient access point. This dimensional separation simplifies the alignment operation while maintaining precise optical coupling between the laser diode and EAMR transducer.
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 enhances the manufacturability and performance of EAMR disk drives by improving the alignment quality and efficiency, allowing for cost-effective and time-efficient production without compromising later performance.
Implementation Method 1
The alignment waveguide(s) are aligned with the alignment emitter(s)
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide is for directing energy from the main emitter toward the ABS
Implementation Method 3
The waveguide directs the light toward the conventional media 12, heating a small region of the conventional media 12
Implementation Method 4
Light from an emitter (not separately shown) on the conventional laser diode 30 is provided to a grating
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The EAMR head includes a laser, a slider, and an EAMR transducer. The laser has a main emitter and at least one alignment emitter. The slider includes at least one alignment waveguide, at least one output device, and an air-bearing surface (ABS). The alignment waveguide(s) are aligned with the alignment emitter(s). The EAMR transducer is coupled with the slider and includes a waveguide aligned with main emitter. The waveguide is for directing energy from the main emitter toward the ABS.