EAMR Transducer Reflector Recycles Blocked Light for Optical Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducers suffer from reduced efficiency due to light being blocked by the back gap of the pole and coil connection, preventing the most intense portion of the light from reaching the near-field transducer (NFT), which is necessary for achieving longitudinal polarization.
Innovation Solution
The EAMR transducer is designed with a waveguide that directs energy from the laser at an incident angle around the back gap, using a reflector to recycle the energy and ensure it reaches the NFT, thereby improving optical efficiency and allowing for desired polarization configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional waveguide and pole configuration is used, then the device structure is simple, but light is blocked by the back gap of the pole and coil connection, reducing optical efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the NFT. The reflector receives light that would otherwise be blocked by the pole back gap and redirects it toward the NFT, preventing energy loss and improving optical efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is configured to direct light at an incident angle relative to the air-bearing surface, and the reflector redirects this light at a different angle. This multi-dimensional light path routing allows light to bypass the pole back gap obstruction and reach the NFT, resolving the blocking issue while maintaining structural simplicity
2Device complexity
If light is directed directly at the NFT without a reflector, then the device structure is simpler, but the most intense portion of light is blocked by the back gap, reducing the energy available for heating
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector serves as a mediator that captures light intensity that would otherwise be lost to the pole back gap and redirects it toward the NFT. This ensures that the most intense portion of light is not blocked but instead coupled into the NFT, improving energy utilization while adding minimal structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector converts the potentially harmful effect of light blocking by the pole back gap into a beneficial effect. Instead of light being lost, the reflector redirects this light to enhance the energy available for heating the media, turning the obstruction problem into an opportunity for improved energy coupling
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 enhances the optical efficiency of the NFT by preventing energy loss to the back gap and allows for flexible polarization control, achieving improved performance by ensuring more energy is coupled into the NFT and optimizing data writing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide is configured to direct the energy from the laser toward the NFT at an incident angle with respect to the ABS
Implementation Method 2
The reflector is configured to receive the first portion of the energy at the reflected angle from the ABS and to reflect a second portion of the energy toward the ABS
Implementation Method 3
The NFT is proximate to the ABS and focuses the energy onto the region of the media
Implementation Method 4
The EAMR transducer receives light, or energy, from a conventional laser
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing an EAMR transducer is described. The EAMR transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an ABS that resides near a media during use. The EAMR transducer includes a write pole, coil(s) that energize the pole, a near field transducer (NFT) proximate to the ABS, a waveguide, and a reflector. The write pole has a back gap region and writes to a region of the media. The NFT focuses the energy onto the media. The waveguide directs the energy from the laser toward the NFT at an incident angle with respect to the ABS. A first portion of the energy reflects off of the ABS at a reflected angle. The reflector receives the first portion of the energy from the ABS and reflects a second portion of the energy toward the ABS. The NFT resides between the waveguide and the reflector.