Near Field Transducer Capping and Overcoat for HAMR Wear Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) systems face challenges due to wear and corrosion of delicate structures like the near field transducer (NFT) and write pole, particularly in high-temperature environments, where existing overcoats like diamond-like carbon (DLC) may fail to completely protect these components from corrosion and mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
A recording device with a near field transducer and a sloped pole piece, featuring a capping material and an overcoat layer proximate the air bearing surface, which enhances thermal, chemical, and mechanical reliability without increasing the head-to-media spacing, thereby protecting the NFT and write pole from wear and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overcoat layer is applied to protect the near field transducer and write pole from wear and corrosion, then the reliability and durability of the HAMR system is improved, but the head-to-media spacing increases which degrades recording performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multi-layer protective structure where the capping material is disposed over the near field transducer and write pole, and the overcoat layer is disposed over the capping material. This nested arrangement provides comprehensive protection while maintaining compact head-to-media spacing, as each layer is integrated within the existing head structure rather than adding external bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures for both the capping material and overcoat layer. These thin protective films provide adequate corrosion and wear protection without significant thickness accumulation, thereby protecting delicate structures like the NFT and write pole while minimizing increase in head-to-media spacing.
2Reliability
If existing overcoat materials like diamond-like carbon are used to protect the transducer structures, then some protection is provided, but complete protection from corrosion and mechanical wear is not achieved in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite protective structure consisting of a capping material layer and an overcoat layer. This composite approach combines different material properties to achieve superior protection against both corrosion and mechanical wear in high-temperature environments, overcoming the limitations of single-material overcoats like diamond-like carbon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the protective coating system by introducing a two-layer structure with different material compositions and thicknesses. The capping material and overcoat layer are selected with specific thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties that change the overall protective performance parameters, enabling complete protection in high-temperature HAMR environments where existing materials fail.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device and a method of forming a recording device are disclosed. The recording device includes an air bearing surface and a near field transducer including a surface proximate the air bearing surface. The device also includes a write pole including a sloped pole piece proximate the near field transducer, where the sloped pole piece includes an end proximate the air bearing surface; a capping material disposed proximate the surface of the near field transducer; and an overcoat layer disposed proximate the capping material and at least a portion of the air bearing surface of the recording device.