Granular HAMR Media Segmented Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

As magnetic recording media approaches maturity, increasing bit density to enhance storage capacity while maintaining size reduction becomes challenging, as it often decreases the signal-to-noise ratio and increases thermal instability, particularly with ultra-thin magnetic films.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, which involves heating a magnetically strong recording layer during writing to temporarily lower its magnetic strength, allowing closer grain packing and improved thermal stability through granular layers with segregated grains and controlled segregant boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bit density is increased to enhance storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic recording layer is segmented into multiple granular magnetic layers, each containing discrete magnetic grains separated by non-magnetic material. This segmentation allows independent control of each grain's magnetic properties and enables closer packing of bits while maintaining distinct magnetic signatures, thereby increasing storage capacity without significantly degrading the signal-to-noise ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite magnetic recording media consisting of multiple granular magnetic layers with different magnetic properties stacked together. Each layer contributes different magnetic characteristics, creating a composite structure that enhances both storage density and signal quality by leveraging the complementary properties of different magnetic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If bit density is increased to enhance storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but thermal stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the magnetic recording layer into separate granular magnetic layers with non-magnetic separators, the invention reduces thermal coupling between adjacent magnetic grains. This segmentation allows bits to be packed closer together for higher density while maintaining thermal stability through the thermal isolation provided by the non-magnetic material between grains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Non-magnetic material layers are introduced as intermediaries between adjacent magnetic grains. These intermediary layers act as thermal barriers that prevent excessive heat transfer between magnetic grains, thereby maintaining thermal stability even when bits are packed at higher densities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If ultra-thin magnetic films are used to increase storage density, then bit density is improved, but thermal stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebit densityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs composite structures with multiple thin magnetic layers separated by non-magnetic materials. This composite approach allows the use of ultra-thin magnetic films to achieve high bit density while the non-magnetic separators provide thermal isolation that maintains stability, effectively resolving the trade-off between thickness and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

HAMR media achieves higher storage capacity, improved smoothness, and enhanced resistance to magnetic and thermal fluctuations, maintaining signal quality while allowing for increased bit density without compromising thermal stability.

Implementation Method 1

The implementation of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, which involves heating a magnetically strong recording layer during writing to temporarily lower its magnetic strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat-assisted magnetic recording:

Implementation Method 2

granular layers with segregated grains and controlled segregant boundaries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic segregation:

Data Source

PatentUS10373637B2Granularity in overlying magnetic and non-magnetic layers

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

Provided herein is an apparatus including a layer stack. A first granular metal layer overlies the layer stack, wherein the first granular metal layer includes first metal grains separated by voids. A first granular non-metal layer overlies the first granular metal layer, wherein the first granular non-metal layer includes first non-metal grains separated by a first segregant. A second granular non-metal layer overlies the first granular non-metal layer, wherein the second granular non-metal layer includes second non-metal grains separated by a second segregant. A second granular metal layer overlies the second granular non-metal layer, wherein the second granular metal layer includes second metal grains separated by a third segregant.