Magnetic Domain Wall Storage Using Segmented Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hard disk drives (HDDs) face issues with mechanical complexity, cost, power consumption, and noise due to moving mechanical systems, and data storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement struggle with buffer region size and stability when using soft magnetic materials.

Innovation Solution

A data storage device design featuring a first magnetic layer with two magnetized domains and a second magnetic layer for data storage, where the first layer is linear or arc-shaped and the second layer is incomplete ring-shaped, with reading heads structured to read the second layer, allowing for data recording and retrieval by moving magnetic domain walls without rotating the recording medium, using a data recording device connected to both layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a U-shaped magnetic layer is used in related art storage devices, then the buffer region can be created, but the manufacturing complexity increases and etching processes become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer region functionalityVSAvoidetching process difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic layer is divided into two separate layers: a first magnetic layer forming a U-shaped buffer region and a second magnetic layer forming the storage region. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, making the U-shaped buffer region manufacturable without excessive etching complexity while maintaining its functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If soft magnetic material is used in the magnetic layer, then the magnetic domain wall can be moved easily, but the stability of magnetic domain wall movement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic domain wall mobilityVSAvoidmagnetic domain wall movement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure with two magnetic layers having different properties. The first magnetic layer uses soft magnetic material for easy domain wall movement in the buffer region, while the second magnetic layer uses ferromagnetic material for stable domain wall movement in the storage region. This composite approach balances mobility and stability across different functional regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the buffer region length is similar to the storage region length, then the magnetic domain wall can be controlled, but the actual storage capacity is reduced to about half of the physical storage region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic domain wall controlVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-layer design to a two-layer vertical structure. The first magnetic layer provides the buffer region and the second magnetic layer provides the storage region, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate buffer and storage functions. This allows the storage region to be optimized for capacity without being constrained by buffer region requirements in the same plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If moving mechanical systems are used in HDDs, then data reading and writing can be performed, but the device complexity, power consumption, and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reading and writing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical systems with a fully integrated planar magnetic structure. Data reading and writing are achieved through magnetic field interaction with the two-layer magnetic structure rather than through mechanical movement of heads or media. This eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining data access functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design enhances storage capacity, simplifies operations, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, improves mobility and reliability, and allows for higher recording density by eliminating the need for mechanical systems and using ferromagnetic materials for stability.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic domain wall may be a boundary between magnetic domains having different magnetization directions and may be moved by a current and/or a magnetic field applied to a magnetic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic domain wall movement: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a data recording device connected to the first and second magnetic layer, and a plurality of reading heads configured to read the second magnetic layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS7835167B2Magnetic domain data storage devices and methods of operating the same

Publication Date: 2010.11.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Example embodiments may provide data storage devices using movement of a magnetic domain wall and/or a method of operating magnetic domain data storage devices. The data storage device may include a first magnetic layer for writing data having two magnetic domains magnetized in different directions, a second magnetic layer for storing data at a side of the first magnetic layer, a data recording device connected to the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a plurality of reading heads configured to read the second magnetic layer. The data storage device may store a larger amount of data without requiring moving mechanical systems.