Head-Slider Thermal Protrusion Control via SiC Resist
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in hard disk drives (HDDs) is to minimize thermal protrusion of thin-film magnetic-recording heads to maintain accurate microscopic clearances for increased areal density and data storage capacity, as existing solutions like thermal-fly-height control are insufficient for extremely small clearances.
Innovation Solution
A head-slider design incorporating a thin-film magnetic-recording head with a resist and a hard-material member, such as silicon carbide (SiC) or tungsten (W), positioned away from the air-bearing surface, where the resist and hard-material member overlap the write element, and their ratio of distances is optimized to reduce thermal protrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal-fly-height control is used to control the spacing between the head and disk, then the fly height can be adjusted, but thermal protrusion occurs which compromises the precision of the clearance control
Solution Approach 1:
The head structure is segmented into multiple functional layers including a first protective layer, second protective layer, and specific structural members (rigid support member, compliant member) that are independently designed and positioned to separately handle protection, thermal management, and mechanical support functions, thereby reducing thermal protrusion while maintaining control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The head incorporates composite material structures with different thermal and mechanical properties, including rigid support members for structural stability, compliant members for thermal accommodation, and multiple protective layers with varying material characteristics to minimize thermal expansion and protrusion while maintaining fly height control
2Quantity of substance
If the clearance between head and disk is reduced to increase areal density, then data storage capacity increases, but thermal protrusion becomes more significant and compromises reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the head structure are assigned different material properties and geometries - the rigid support member provides localized structural stability, while compliant members in specific positions accommodate thermal effects, and protective layers are strategically positioned to protect critical elements, enabling reduced clearance with maintained reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The head design incorporates parameters such as material selection (rigid vs. compliant), layer thicknesses, and geometric configurations that are optimized to minimize thermal protrusion effects, allowing the structure to maintain stable clearance at reduced fly heights for increased areal density while preserving reliability
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 significantly reduces thermal protrusion, allowing for precise control of clearance between the magnetic-recording disk and the head-slider, enhancing data storage capacity and reliability by effectively managing minute clearances.
Implementation Method 1
a hard-material member including a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide (SiC) and tungsten (W), which is disposed at a position further away from the air-bearing surface than the read element and the write element
Implementation Method 2
a write element for writing data
Implementation Method 3
a read element for reading data
Data Source
AI summary
A head-slider. The head-slider includes a slider, and a thin-film magnetic-recording head. The thin-film magnetic-recording head includes: a read element; a write element; a non-magnetic insulating protective layer disposed around both read and write elements; a resist disposed at a position further away from an air-bearing surface than the read element; and, a hard-material member including a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide and tungsten, which is disposed at a position further away from the air-bearing surface than the read element and the write element. Both an end of the resist and an end of the hard-material member overlap the write element when viewed in a stacking direction. A ratio of a distance from the air-bearing surface to a deepest end of the hard-material member to a distance from the air-bearing surface to a deepest end of the resist is at least 0.9.