Heat-Assisted Recording Magnetic Medium Multi-Layer Protective Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic recording media with DLC protective layers suffer from quality degradation and reduced durability when used in heat-assisted recording systems due to heat from laser radiation, leading to increased errors and shortened lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording medium with a thermal-resistant protective layer structure comprising a first lower protective layer of high thermal conductivity materials like Si, Al, or Cu, and a first upper protective layer as their oxide, along with a second protective layer, which helps in diffusing heat and preventing its transmission to the lubricating layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DLC protective layer is used in a heat-assisted recording system, then corrosion resistance is maintained, but the protective layer quality degrades due to heat from laser radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is divided into multiple layers: a lower protective layer (DLC, 0.3-2.0 nm) in contact with the magnetic recording layer, and an upper protective layer (oxide material, 0.3-5.0 nm) exposed to the laser beam. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the lower layer maintains corrosion resistance while the upper layer provides heat resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer uses a composite structure combining DLC material and oxide material (such as SiO2, TiO2, or ZrO2). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials: DLC provides excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion to the magnetic recording layer, while the oxide material provides high heat resistance and laser beam tolerance.
2Productivity
If the protective layer is thinned to reduce magnetic spacing, then recording density increases, but corrosion resistance and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is segmented into functional sub-layers with the lower DLC layer (0.3-2.0 nm) providing corrosion resistance and the upper oxide layer (0.3-5.0 nm) providing heat resistance. This allows the total protective layer thickness to be reduced for higher recording density while maintaining both corrosion resistance and heat resistance through specialized functional division.
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 proposed structure maintains corrosion resistance and durability equivalent to conventional media while tolerating heat-assisted recording systems, preventing deterioration of the magnetic recording layer and extending the medium's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the first lower protective layer is composed mainly of an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al and Cu... helps in diffusing heat
Implementation Method 2
a first upper protective layer on the first lower protective layer... configured by an oxide of the material of the first lower protective layer... preventing its transmission to the lubricating layer
Data Source
AI summary
The magnetic recording medium for a heat-assisted recording system has a magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate and a protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer. The protective layer includes a first lower protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer, a first upper protective layer on the first lower protective layer, and a second protective layer on the first upper protective layer. The first lower protective layer is composed mainly of an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al and Cu, and the first upper protective layer is a layer configured by an oxide of the material of the first lower protective layer.