HAMR Head Middle Disk Thermal Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The generation and condensation of localized surface plasmons in near-field transducers for heat-assisted magnetic recording heads lead to significant heat degradation and deformation of components, reducing the performance and lifespan of hard disk drives.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermally stable middle disk with a melting temperature of at least 1500 degrees Celsius, coupled to an anchor disk and a peg near-field emitter, to mitigate thermal exposure and enhance the reliability of the HAMR head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a near-field transducer is used to generate localized surface plasmons for heating, then the heating capability is improved, but thermal degradation and deformation of components occur
Solution Approach 1:
A middle disk is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser/NFT and the magnetic disk. This middle disk absorbs and manages the thermal energy, preventing direct thermal exposure of the NFT components while maintaining the heating capability at the magnetic disk surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The excessive heat that would normally degrade the NFT components is converted into a beneficial effect by using the middle disk to contain and direct this thermal energy toward the magnetic disk, while the NFT components remain protected from direct thermal exposure.
2Power
If the near-field transducer components are exposed to high heat, then the hot spot is generated effectively, but the performance and life expectancy of the HAMR head deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The middle disk serves as a thermal mediator that allows high power heating to be applied to the magnetic disk while protecting the NFT components from direct thermal exposure, thereby extending the operational life of the HAMR head.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct thermal zones: the NFT components operate in a cooler zone while the middle disk and magnetic disk surface experience the high temperatures necessary for effective heating, separating the heating function from the component exposure.
3Reliability
If thermally stable material is used for the middle disk, then thermal failure modes are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management function is extracted from the NFT components and assigned to a separate middle disk component. This allows the NFT structure to remain relatively simple while the middle disk handles the thermal stability requirements through material selection.
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 solution reduces the occurrence of thermal failure modes, such as middle disk recession, thereby improving the reliability and extending the operational life of heat-assisted magnetic recording heads.
Implementation Method 1
The process of generating and condensing localized surface plasmons (LSPs) on the NFT to produce the hot spot
Implementation Method 2
The middle disk includes at least one thermally stable material. Providing a middle disk that includes a thermally stable material may, in some examples, reduce or prevent the occurrence of certain failure modes under thermal exposure
Data Source
AI summary
A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a near-field emitter and a middle disk. The near-field emitter includes a peg and an anchor disk. The peg is configured to produce a hot spot on a proximal magnetic disk. The peg is disposed proximal to a media-facing surface of the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The anchor disk is disposed behind the peg relative to the media-facing surface. The middle disk has a melting temperature of at least 1500 degrees Celsius. The middle disk is disposed in a down-track direction relative to the near-field emitter and is coupled to the anchor disk.