Elliptical Mirror Light Guide for HAMR Actuator Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) systems face challenges in effectively coupling light from a laser diode or fiber to a coupling grating on a transducer without compromising the mechanical performance, robustness, and reliability of the drive system, often requiring substantial changes to the slider, suspension, or actuator arm designs.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elliptical or ellipsoid shaped mirror mounted on a moveable arm to reflect light from a stationary light source to an optical transducer positioned adjacent to a storage medium, allowing for efficient light delivery with minimal alterations to the existing HGA/actuator arm assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light delivery methods require substantial changes in slider, suspension, or actuator arm designs, then light coupling effectiveness is improved, but mechanical performance, robustness, and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component that couples the laser light to the optical transducer. This light guide acts as a mediator that delivers light without requiring substantial changes to the slider, suspension, or actuator arm designs, thereby maintaining mechanical reliability while achieving effective light coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The light delivery system is segmented into separate functional components: a laser light source, a light guide for light transmission, and an optical transducer for light coupling to the storage medium. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the light guide serving as a dedicated light delivery path that does not compromise the mechanical integrity of the actuator arm assembly.
2Productivity
If light delivery methods require substantial changes to HGA/actuator arm assembly, then light delivery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed to be a universal light delivery component that can be integrated into existing HGA/actuator arm assemblies without requiring substantial redesign. It serves multiple functions: guiding light from the laser source, coupling light to the optical transducer, and maintaining compatibility with existing mechanical structures, thereby improving light delivery efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 maintains the mechanical performance and reliability of the drive system while enabling efficient light delivery to the optical transducer, supporting high-density data storage without the need for substantial modifications to the existing HGA/actuator arm design, thus enhancing the stability and robustness of recorded bits.
Implementation Method 1
using an elliptical or ellipsoid shaped mirror mounted to reflect light from the light source to the optical transducer
Implementation Method 2
A source of electromagnetic radiation, also referred to herein as a light source, which may be a laser
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a moveable arm for positioning an optical transducer adjacent to a storage medium, a light source, and an elliptical or ellipsoid shaped mirror mounted for reflecting light from the light source to the optical transducer. The elliptical mirror can be positioned on an ellipse, the moveable arm can pivot about an axis passing through a first focus of the ellipse, and the light source can direct light from a point on a second axis passing through a second focus of the ellipse to the elliptical minor. The light source can include a fixed laser and a moveable mirror mounted to pivot about the second axis or a moveable laser mounted to pivot about the second axis. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.