Magnetic Recording Element Waveguide Core Plasmon Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In thermally-assisted magnetic recording, the temperature increase of the magnetic recording element leads to material alteration and deformation, affecting recording stability and output due to differences in heat expansion and chemical reactivity at the interface between high and low refractive index materials.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording element with a waveguide core and cladding configuration, where the core has an enlarged part at the air bearing surface, and a plasmon generator with a propagation edge that couples with the core to generate surface plasmons, reducing temperature increases at the interface and preventing material alteration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of magnetic microparticles is decreased to increase recording density, then recording density is improved, but thermal stability of magnetization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of anisotropic energy by increasing it to compensate for the decreased thermal stability caused by smaller magnetic microparticle size. This allows maintaining thermal stability while achieving higher recording density through reduced particle size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a waveguide core made of high-refractive-index material and a cladding made of low-refractive-index material. This composite structure enables effective optical coupling and heat generation in the magnetic recording medium while managing thermal effects.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the anisotropic energy of magnetic microparticles is increased to improve thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but coercive force increases making recording difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic heating through laser irradiation to temporarily reduce the coercive force during the recording process. The heating is applied periodically or continuously during writing, allowing information to be recorded when the magnetic medium is heated, and then the medium cools and maintains the recorded state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the parameter of coercive force by controlling the temperature through laser heating. When the magnetic recording medium is heated, the coercive force decreases, enabling easy recording. After recording, the medium cools and the coercive force increases to maintain stability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If laser light is used to heat the magnetic recording medium, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature increase of the magnetic recording element causes material alteration and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the laser heat generation at the interface between the waveguide core and cladding, which is positioned away from the magnetic recording medium. This localized heating approach generates the necessary heat for recording while minimizing temperature increase in the magnetic recording element itself, preventing material alteration and deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the waveguide core-cladding structure as an intermediary to transfer optical energy. The core acts as an optical waveguide that directs light to the cladding interface, which then generates heat through optical absorption. This intermediary structure enables efficient heat generation away from the magnetic recording medium.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the interface between high and low refractive index materials is used for heat generation, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature increase leads to material alteration due to heat expansion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the heat-generating interface at a specific location within the waveguide structure, away from the magnetic recording medium. The core-cladding interface is designed to optimize optical energy conversion to heat while maintaining sufficient distance from the magnetic medium to prevent thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide core and cladding serve as intermediary structures that mediate between optical energy input and heat generation. The core guides the optical energy, and the cladding interface converts it to heat, acting as a thermal mediator that isolates the heat source from the magnetic recording medium.
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 stabilizes the recording process by suppressing material alteration and deformation, maintaining a consistent output over time and enhancing recording density.
Implementation Method 1
a plasmon generator with a propagation edge that couples with the core to generate surface plasmons
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide that is configured with a core and a cladding, the core, through which laser light propagates
Implementation Method 3
information is recorded while decreasing the coercive force of a magnetic recording medium using near-field light irradiated onto the magnetic recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic recording element that faces a recording medium and that executes a magnetic recording while the recording medium is heated, the element including a waveguide that is configured with a core and a cladding, the core, through which laser light propagates, including an enlarged part, which is enlarged at an air bearing surface facing the recording medium; and the cladding surrounding a periphery of the core.