Grating Slits Parallel to Waveguide Axis for HAMR Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technologies face challenges in delivering sufficient optical radiation for rapid heating of magnetic media, limiting the efficiency of the recording process.
Innovation Solution
A transducer assembly with a waveguide having first and second cladding layers and a core layer, coupled with a grating structured with elongated slits parallel to its longitudinal axis, is used to efficiently couple electromagnetic radiation and direct light onto the recording medium, enhancing the heating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a planar solid immersion mirror (PSIM) and near-field transducer (NFT) arrangement is used to direct light onto recording media, then light can be focused and local surface plasmon conditions can be achieved, but the level of optical radiation delivered to the HAMR head is insufficient for rapid heating of magnetic media
Solution Approach 1:
The grating is segmented into multiple elongated slits arranged in parallel, each contributing to the overall optical radiation delivery. This segmentation allows for increased total optical power delivery while maintaining the focused spot size needed for rapid heating, resolving the contradiction between heating rate and optical radiation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional grating geometry to one with elongated slits extending in the longitudinal direction, adding dimensional complexity to the grating structure. This dimensional change increases the effective grating area and optical coupling efficiency, thereby improving optical radiation delivery to achieve rapid heating
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 improves the delivery of optical radiation, enabling more effective localized heating and magnetization switching, thereby increasing storage density and stability of recorded bits.
Implementation Method 1
a grating structured to couple electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide having first and second cladding layers and a core layer between the first and second cladding layers
Implementation Method 3
The near-field transducer is designed to reach a local surface plasmon (LSP) condition at a designated light wavelength. At LSP, a high field surrounding the near-field transducer appears, due to collective oscillation of electrons in the metal. Part of the field will tunnel into an adjacent media and get absorbed, raising the temperature of the media locally for recording.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having a transducer assembly that includes a waveguide having first and second cladding layers and a core layer between the first and second cladding layers, and a grating structured to couple electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide. The grating has a plurality of elongated slits that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The apparatus further has a light source mounted adjacent the waveguide to direct light onto the grating.