Near-Field Transducer with Rhodium Peg for HAMR Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) devices face challenges in maintaining the integrity and reliability of near-field transducers due to significant temperature rises during operation, leading to misshapen or chemically altered components that affect energy coupling and service life.

Innovation Solution

The use of thermally and mechanically robust materials for the peg extending towards the recording media, combined with plasmonic materials for the disc and heat sink, enhances the thermal and mechanical stability of near-field transducers, and optional adhesion layers prevent oxidation and diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional materials are used for near-field transducer components, then the device can be manufactured with standard processes, but the components degrade due to thermal and mechanical stress during HAMR operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of near-field transducerVSAvoidtemperature rise during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining mechanically robust materials (Rh, Ir) with plasmonic materials (Au, Ag, Cu, Al) in the near-field transducer structure. The robust material forms the peg extending toward the recording media, while plasmonic materials form the disc and heat sink, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides thermal stability and mechanical integrity under HAMR operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If thermally robust materials are used for the peg, then thermal stability is improved, but oxidation and diffusion may occur without protective layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stability of pegVSAvoidoxidation and diffusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material structures where adhesion layers are integrated with the thermally robust peg material. This composite approach provides both thermal stability and protection against oxidation and diffusion by combining the functional properties of different materials in a layered configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesion layers create a protective environment around the thermally robust peg material, effectively isolating it from oxidizing and diffusing elements in the surrounding environment, similar to creating an inert atmosphere that prevents harmful chemical reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Use of energy by moving object

If plasmonic materials are used for the disc and heat sink, then energy coupling is enhanced, but thermal and mechanical robustness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy coupling efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different parts of the near-field transducer. The peg接触的 recording media region uses mechanically robust materials for strength, while the disc and heat sink use plasmonic materials for energy coupling. This spatial differentiation of material properties optimizes each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The overall near-field transducer structure is a composite system where plasmonic materials (for energy coupling) are combined with thermally and mechanically robust materials (for structural integrity). This composite architecture allows the system to simultaneously achieve high energy coupling efficiency and mechanical robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 improves the thermal and mechanical robustness of near-field transducers, reducing degradation and extending the service life by maintaining effective energy coupling and preventing chemical changes, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of HAMR devices.

Implementation Method 1

Surface plasmons are excited along walls of an aperture of the near-field transducer and along a notch protruding within the aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasmons: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

A magnetic field is generated at the recording medium via a write pole proximate the near-field transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10510365B2NFT with mechanically robust materials

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

A recording head includes a near-field transducer proximate a media-facing surface. The near-field transducer comprises an aperture portion surrounded by walls of plasmonic material, the walls oriented normal to the media-facing surface. A notch protrudes within the aperture. The notch comprises at least one of Rh and Ir. A write pole is proximate the near-field transducer. The write pole has a back surface facing away from the media-facing surface and an aperture-facing surface proximate the aperture.