Near Field Transducer Pin Insulation for EAMR Thermal Spot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) systems face challenges in achieving higher areal storage density due to thermal spot size limitations, where the thermal spot is larger than the optical spot due to low thermal conductivity underlayers and high curvature of the trailing edge, leading to SNR degradation and limited track density.
Innovation Solution
The EAMR head incorporates a near field transducer (NFT) with a pin section separated from the write pole by an insulating layer, optimizing the trailing edge of the thermal spot by preventing energy penetration into the write pole, thereby reducing curvature and enhancing thermal spot focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the pin section of the NFT is in direct contact with the write pole, then heat dissipation is improved, but the trailing edge curvature increases causing SNR degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management function by introducing a separate heat sink layer that is electrically isolated from the write pole, while the NFT pin section remains electrically connected to the write pole. This segmentation allows the pin section to maintain low trailing edge curvature for SNR performance while the heat sink layer provides heat dissipation, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and trailing edge curvature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary heat sink layer positioned between the NFT disk section and the write pole. This intermediary layer serves as a dedicated thermal management component that absorbs and dissipates heat without interfering with the electrical connection between the NFT pin section and write pole, thereby preventing trailing edge curvature while improving heat dissipation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional NFT design is used, then fabrication is simpler, but thermal spot size is larger than optical spot size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical layering dimension to the NFT structure by adding a heat sink layer beneath the disk section. This dimensional addition allows thermal management to occur in a separate plane, enabling better thermal confinement in the lateral dimensions and achieving a smaller thermal spot size while maintaining manufacturability through standard thin-film deposition processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If higher magnetic anisotropy materials are used to increase thermal stability, then coercivity increases requiring stronger magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition concept by locally heating the magnetic grains below the NFT pin section to temporarily raise their temperature above the compensation point. This thermal phase transition reduces the magnetic anisotropy and coercivity during the write operation, allowing weaker magnetic fields to effectively switch the magnetization of high-anisotropy materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and write field strength requirements.
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 results in a smaller, more focused thermal spot with reduced curvature, improving track density and skew angle performance, and facilitating higher areal storage density in magnetic recording.
Implementation Method 1
The coupled light is then routed to a near field transducer (NFT) by which the optical energy is provided to a small optical spot on the recording media a few tens of nanometers (nm) in size. The optical energy provided to the small optical spot generates a thermal spot in the recording media.
Implementation Method 2
The NFT can comprise a disk section and a pin section extending towards an air bearing surface (ABS) from the disk section, wherein at least a portion of the pin section is separated from the write pole by an insulating layer.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head for writing to a recording media is disclosed. The EAMR head includes a write pole for providing a magnetic field for writing to the recording media; and a near field transducer disposed adjacent to the write pole and comprising a disk section and a pin section extending towards an air bearing surface (ABS) from the disk section. At least a portion of the pin section is electrically isolated from the write pole by an insulator material.