NFT Peg Secondary Atom Concentration for HAMR Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near field transducers (NFTs) used in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) face challenges due to high temperatures and mechanical stress, leading to material diffusion and instability, which affects energy transfer efficiency and durability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating secondary atoms with higher diffusivity into the plasmonic material, such as germanium, tellurium, and silver, to concentrate them at the peg tip adjacent the air bearing surface, preventing material migration and enhancing adhesion, thereby stabilizing the NFT structure and improving energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high temperatures are applied during HAMR operation, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but material diffusion and structural instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform concentration distribution of secondary atoms within the plasmonic material structure. Specifically, the secondary atoms (such as germanium, tellurium, or aluminum) are concentrated at the bottom region of the peg structure adjacent to the air bearing surface, while the top region maintains higher plasmonic material content. This spatially differentiated composition allows the bottom region to exhibit enhanced stability and adhesion properties where material diffusion is most problematic, while the top region maintains optimal plasmonic properties for energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining plasmonic materials (such as gold, silver, or copper) with secondary atoms (such as germanium, tellurium, aluminum, antimony, tin, mercury, indium, zinc, iron, manganese, silver, or chromium) to form a multi-element structure. This composite structure leverages the high energy transfer efficiency of plasmonic materials while incorporating secondary atoms that provide enhanced thermal stability and reduced material diffusion, particularly when concentrated at the bottom region of the structure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If plasmonic material is used for high energy transfer, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but material recession and mechanical wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-concentrating secondary atoms at the bottom region of the peg structure before the NFT undergoes operational wear. This preliminary positioning of stabilizing secondary atoms (such as germanium, tellurium, or aluminum) at the critical bottom region creates a protective zone that resists material diffusion and recession during subsequent high-temperature HAMR operations, thereby preserving the plasmonic material structure and reducing material loss over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform concentration distribution of secondary atoms within the plasmonic material structure. Specifically, the secondary atoms (such as germanium, tellurium, or aluminum) are concentrated at the bottom region of the peg structure adjacent to the air bearing surface, while the top region maintains higher plasmonic material content. This spatially differentiated composition allows the bottom region to exhibit enhanced stability and adhesion properties where material diffusion is most problematic, while the top region maintains optimal plasmonic properties for energy transfer.
3Stability of the object's composition
If secondary atoms are distributed uniformly throughout the peg, then material stability is improved, but energy transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform concentration distribution of secondary atoms within the plasmonic material structure. Specifically, the secondary atoms (such as germanium, tellurium, or aluminum) are concentrated at the bottom region of the peg structure adjacent to the air bearing surface, while the top region maintains higher plasmonic material content. This spatially differentiated composition allows the bottom region to exhibit enhanced stability and adhesion properties where material diffusion is most problematic, while the top region maintains optimal plasmonic properties for energy transfer.
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 solution enhances the stability and durability of NFTs by preventing material recession and improving energy transfer efficiency, leading to more efficient heating and reduced mechanical wear, thus improving the performance of HAMR systems.
Implementation Method 1
annealing at least a portion of the NFT to affect diffusion of the at least one secondary atom to the region of the peg adjacent the ABS
Implementation Method 2
the peg including a plasmonic material selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), aluminum (Al), or combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer having a peg and a disc, the peg having a region adjacent the ABS, the peg including a plasmonic material selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), aluminum (Al), or combinations thereof; and at least one other secondary atom selected from germanium (Ge), tellurium (Te), aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), indium (In), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the secondary atom is higher at the region of the peg adjacent the ABS than a concentration of the secondary atom throughout the bulk of the peg. Methods of forming NFTs are also disclosed.