Magnetic Head Side Shield Dual Gap Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic transducers face challenges at higher recording densities, including reduced write field and increased reverse overwrite loss, due to scaled-down components, and removal of side shields compromises adjacent track interference prevention and wide track erasure mitigation.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic recording head with a dual gap configuration, featuring a main pole, side shield, electrically conductive non-magnetic gap material layer, and conformal dielectric spacer layer, which maintains side shield structure to enhance write field and reduce adjacent track interference while preventing wide area track erasure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If side shields are removed to increase write field, then write field is improved, but adjacent track interference prevention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrite fieldVSAvoidadjacent track interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side shield structure is segmented into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) with different functions. The first portion prevents adjacent track interference, the second portion maintains write field, and the third portion mitigates wide track erasure. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a complete side shield system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the side shield are positioned at specific locations relative to the main pole and air bearing surface to provide localized functions. The first portion is positioned to prevent adjacent track interference, the second portion maintains write field strength, and the third portion addresses wide track erasure. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the side shield contributes to solving a specific problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If components are scaled to smaller sizes for higher recording densities, then recording density is improved, but write field strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording densityVSAvoidwrite field strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The side shield structure is nested around the main pole, with multiple portions positioned at different distances and orientations. This nested configuration allows the side shield to maintain its functional effectiveness while accommodating the scaled-down dimensions required for higher recording densities. The nested structure ensures that the side shield portions are properly positioned to prevent adjacent track interference and maintain write field strength despite the overall reduction in component sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11626129B2Plating based side shield define and application in magnetic head

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A magnetic recording head having air bearing surface (ABS) includes a main pole, a side shield laterally spaced from the main pole by a first side gap and a second side gap, an electrically conductive non-magnetic gap material layer disposed between the main pole and the side shield in the first side gap, and a dielectric non-magnetic gap material matrix and a conformal dielectric spacer layer disposed between the main pole and the side shield in the second side gap.