HAMR Head Near Field Light Emitter Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in achieving high-density magnetic recording is the difficulty in incorporating a near field light emitter with a light source into a magnetic head manufactured using a thin film process, which is necessary for reducing noise and maintaining thermal stability in small grain recording media, while conventional materials with high coercive force limit recording intensity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an HAMR head with a near field light emitter integrated into a slider, featuring a substrate, a recording unit with a stepped end for magnetic flux condensation, and a waveguide and NFE pole for generating near field light that illuminates the recording medium, allowing for easy manufacturing and improved optical coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a material with large coercive force is used to achieve thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but recording intensity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat to the recording medium to temporarily change the temperature parameter, which reduces the coercive force of the magnetic material at elevated temperatures. This allows the magnetic head to write data on high-coercivity media that would otherwise be unwritable at room temperature. After cooling, the material regains its high coercive force and thermal stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a near field light emitter is incorporated to achieve high-density recording, then recording density is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical component (near field light emitter) with the magnetic recording head into a single integrated assembly. The light emitter is positioned in close proximity to the magnetic pole, allowing both optical heating and magnetic writing functions to be performed through a unified structure that simplifies manufacturing and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waveguide as an intermediary component that channels light from a light source to the near field light emitter. This waveguide structure enables precise light delivery to the intended location while maintaining a compact form factor and simplifying the overall integration of optical and magnetic subsystems.
3Manufacturing precision
If a small light spot is generated to achieve high-density recording, then recording density is improved, but optical coupling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a near field light emitter that operates in the near field optical regime, where evanescent waves are utilized instead of far field propagating waves. This dimensional shift in optical interaction allows the generation of sub-diffraction-limited light spots with enhanced optical coupling efficiency, as the near field interaction is less sensitive to alignment tolerances and spot size constraints.
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 enables the production of HAMR heads with enhanced manufacturing ease and optical coupling efficiency, allowing for high-density magnetic recording by generating a small near field light spot, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional materials and processes.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide located in a space formed by the stepped end of the recording unit; and a near field light emission (NFE) pole located adjacent to the recording unit and having an end located on a same plane as the ABS to generate near field light which is transmitted through the waveguide to illuminate the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
a near field light emission (NFE) pole located adjacent to the recording unit and having an end located on a same plane as the ABS to generate near field light
Implementation Method 3
a laser ray illuminated from the light source 6 such as a laser diode provides a light spot 7 on part of the recording medium 2, so that a coercive force of the part of the recording medium 2 illuminated by the light source 6 reduces right after the part of the recording medium 2 is heated by the laser ray
Implementation Method 4
a recording unit formed on the substrate and having a stepped end facing the ABS to allow magnetic flux to be condensed at the stepped end, thereby performing magnetic recording on the recording medium
Implementation Method 5
an induction coil 5 inducing the magnetic field on the recording pole 3
Data Source
AI summary
A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head and manufacturing method are provided. The HAMR head is mounted on a slider having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and includes a substrate; a recording unit formed on the substrate and having a stepped end; a waveguide located in a space formed by the stepped end; and a near field light emission (NFE) pole located adjacent to the recording unit and having an end located on a same plane as the ABS. The method includes forming a cladding layer on a substrate; forming a first metal layer on the cladding layer; etching a part of the first metal layer; forming a core layer on the etched region; forming a refraction part in a part of the core layer; forming a second metal layer the first metal layer and the core layer; and forming a recording unit on the second metal layer.