HAMR Head Stable Material Layout for NFT Heat Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in achieving higher recording densities in magnetic recording media is the deformation of near-field transducers (NFTs) due to high temperatures, which limits the effectiveness of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) heads, as gold, commonly used for NFTs, has a low melting point and deforms under operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording head design incorporating a stable material between the NFT and the media-facing surface, which is recessed and spaced from a thermal shunt, and composed of different materials, with varying surface angles and layers to manage heat distribution and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If gold is used for the NFT material to achieve high optical efficiency, then the optical efficiency is improved, but the NFT deforms due to low melting point and high temperature operation
Solution Approach 1:
The NFT structure is divided into two distinct materials: the original gold NFT portion for optical efficiency, and an added stable material portion for thermal stability. This segmentation allows each material to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining gold (for high optical efficiency) with a stable material having higher melting point (for thermal stability). The composite structure leverages the strengths of both materials to resolve the contradiction between optical performance and thermal reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If the main pole surface area is decreased to achieve higher recording density, then the recording density is improved, but the recording field becomes smaller limiting head effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the NFT structure by adding stable material, which alters the heat distribution and thermal gradient parameters. This enables the system to maintain effective recording fields while operating at higher recording densities with smaller main pole areas.
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
The design enhances the lifetime of the NFT by reducing thermal gradients and improving areal recording density through effective heat management and reduced deformation, thereby increasing the recording capacity of magnetic media drives.
Implementation Method 1
a stable material disposed between the NFT and the MFS... The stable material is spaced from the thermal shunt... enhances the lifetime of the NFT by reducing thermal gradients... through effective heat management
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a magnetic recording head for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head comprises a main pole, a waveguide disposed adjacent to the main pole, a near field transducer (NFT) coupled between the main pole and the waveguide, the NFT being recessed from a media facing surface (MFS), a thermal shunt disposed on the NFT, the thermal shunt being recessed from the MFS, and a stable material disposed between the NFT and the MFS. The stable material is spaced from the thermal shunt, and the stable material and the NFT comprise different materials. In some embodiments, a surface of the stable material facing the waveguide is tapered. The stable material may comprise two or more layers, the two or more layers comprising different materials.