Laser Diode Side-Mounted on Slider for Compact HAMR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) devices face challenges in achieving smaller form-factor products due to the tall slider and laser diode configuration, which results in increased height and optical transmission losses, and requires additional components like submounts, making assembly complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
The laser diode is mounted to the slider's side surface with its active region perpendicular to the mounting surface, reducing the overall height of the laser diode and slider combination, allowing for easier alignment and integration, and eliminating the need for additional components like submounts, thus enabling more compact designs and improved assembly robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the laser diode is mounted in a conventional configuration, then the alignment is easier, but the height of the laser diode and slider combination increases and optical transmission losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rotates the laser diode 90 degrees from a conventional vertical mounting configuration to a horizontal mounting configuration where the long dimension of the laser diode extends perpendicular to the slider body. This dimensional reorientation reduces the height of the laser diode and slider combination while maintaining alignment precision through the perpendicular active region orientation relative to the mounting surface.
2Device complexity
If the laser diode is mounted in a conventional configuration, then the structure is simpler, but additional components like submounts are required increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the laser diode directly onto the slider body mounting surface, eliminating the need for separate submounts or intermediate mounting structures. The laser diode is mounted with its perpendicular active region directly facing the optical pathway within the slider, merging the laser mounting function with the slider structure itself and reducing the total component count.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the laser diode in the conventional vertical orientation with the long dimension parallel to the slider body, the patent inverts the mounting orientation so that the long dimension extends perpendicular to the slider body. This inversion eliminates the need for submounts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining optical functionality.
3Temperature
If the laser diode is mounted in a conventional configuration, then the design is more traditional, but the contact area for cooling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating the laser diode 90 degrees so that the long dimension extends perpendicular to the slider body, the patent increases the footprint of the laser diode on the mounting surface. This dimensional change allows for a larger contact area between the laser diode and the slider body, improving thermal conduction and cooling effectiveness while maintaining the compact overall height.
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 reduces the height of the laser diode and slider assembly to less than 350 μm, enhances alignment precision, minimizes optical transmission losses, and increases the contact area for cooling, making it suitable for smaller form-factor products while reducing costs and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a laser diode mounted to the mounting surface of the slider at a side surface of the laser diode. The laser diode has an active region of the laser diode is disposed substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the slider
Implementation Method 2
The laser diode has an etched optical turning element configured to bend an output light within the laser diode substantially 90° to a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the slider
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that includes a slider having a mounting surface, the mounting surface opposite a media-facing surface of the slider. The apparatus includes a laser diode mounted on a side surface to the mounting surface. The laser diode has an active region of the laser diode is disposed substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface.