Hybrid Plasmonic Bottom Layer Prevents TAMR NFT Recession
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of near field transducers (NFTs) in thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) devices is compromised due to the recession of the bottom layer from the air-bearing surface (ABS) during high-temperature recording, leading to reduced efficiency and alignment issues with magnetic grains.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid plasmonic bottom layer (PBL) comprising a combination of thermo-mechanically stable materials like rhodium and less stable materials like gold is used, with the stable material positioned closer to the ABS and the less stable material in a cooler region, maintaining optical efficiency while enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-material bottom layer is used in the NFT, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the layer recedes from the ABS during high-temperature recording, compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different plasmonic materials (e.g., rhodium and gold) in a layered bottom layer structure. The first material layer is positioned adjacent to the ABS while the second material layer is positioned away from the ABS. This composite structure prevents recession during high-temperature recording while maintaining optical conversion efficiency, thereby improving NFT reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different materials to different regions of the bottom layer based on their thermal and mechanical properties. The first plasmonic material is placed in the region adjacent to the ABS where thermal stability is critical, while the second plasmonic material is placed in the region away from the ABS. This localized material assignment optimizes performance in each specific region while solving the overall reliability problem.
2Reliability
If a hybrid plasmonic bottom layer is used, then reliability is improved by preventing recession, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different plasmonic materials (e.g., rhodium and gold) in a layered bottom layer structure. The first material layer is positioned adjacent to the ABS while the second material layer is positioned away from the ABS. This composite structure prevents recession during high-temperature recording while maintaining optical conversion efficiency, thereby improving NFT reliability without excessive complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the bottom layer is positioned closer to the ABS, then optical efficiency is improved, but the layer recedes during high-temperature recording
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different plasmonic materials (e.g., rhodium and gold) in a layered bottom layer structure. The first material layer is positioned adjacent to the ABS while the second material layer is positioned away from the ABS. This composite structure prevents recession during high-temperature recording while maintaining optical conversion efficiency, thereby improving NFT reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different materials to different regions of the bottom layer based on their thermal and mechanical properties. The first plasmonic material is placed in the region adjacent to the ABS where thermal stability is critical, while the second plasmonic material is placed in the region away from the ABS. This localized material assignment optimizes performance in each specific region while solving the overall reliability problem.
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 hybrid PBL configuration maintains optical conversion efficiency while improving the reliability of NFTs by preventing recession and ensuring consistent temperature at the ABS, thereby enhancing data storage density.
Implementation Method 1
In TAMR, optical power from a light source can be converted into localized heating in a recording medium during a write process
Implementation Method 2
TAMR involves raising the temperature of a small region of the magnetic medium to near its Curie temperature where its coercivity and anisotropy are significantly reduced
Implementation Method 3
The main pole can be configured to direct a magnetic field toward a magnetic recording medium to interact with the magnetic recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a near field transducer for thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) with a hybrid plasmonic bottom layer. In a first example embodiment, a thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) write head is provided. The TAMR write head can include a main pole and a near field transducer (NFT). The NFT can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first plasmonic material (e.g., rhodium, iridium, platinum). Further, the first layer can be disposed adjacent to the heat sink. The second layer can include a portion of a second plasmonic material (e.g., gold) and a first plasmonic portion (e.g., comprising rhodium). The first plasmonic portion of the second layer can be disposed adjacent to the ABS. The hybrid second layer (e.g., plasmonic bottom layer) can provide an improved NFT reliability during TAMR writing.