NFT Tapered Peg Plasmonic Deposition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for forming near field transducers (NFTs) with tapered portions in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technologies face challenges in achieving precise thermal gradients for efficient energy focusing, which affects the quality and reliability of the NFT structures.

Innovation Solution

The method involves depositing a layer of dielectric material, forming a three-dimensional shape with specific side and end surfaces, and then depositing plasmonic material on the side surfaces to create a tapered portion, which forms the complete NFT structure, optimizing the thermal gradient for improved energy focusing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional deposition techniques are used to form tapered portions of NFT, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the thermal gradient precision and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal gradient precisionVSAvoidshaping and material deposition process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NFT structure is divided into distinct segments: a dielectric material layer forming the base structure, and a plasmonic material layer forming the tapered portion. This segmentation allows each material to be optimized independently for its specific function, with the dielectric providing structural support and the plasmonic material providing the required thermal gradient properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plasmonic material is deposited selectively on specific side surfaces of the dielectric structure to create tapered portions with precise local properties. This local quality approach ensures that the thermal gradient is optimized at the critical tapered regions where laser energy interaction occurs, while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If complex shaping techniques are used to create precise three-dimensional shapes, then the thermal gradient is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional shape precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric material layer is first formed into a predetermined three-dimensional shape with specific side surfaces before the plasmonic material deposition. This preliminary action establishes the geometric framework that guides subsequent material deposition, ensuring precise shape control without requiring complex post-processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric material layer serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the formation of the final NFT geometry. It provides a stable substrate for plasmonic material deposition and defines the underlying shape, allowing the complex three-dimensional structure to be built in a controlled, stepwise manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enhances the thermal gradient of NFT structures, improving the quality and reliability of HAMR devices by effectively focusing energy to a small area, thereby enhancing magnetic recording capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

depositing plasmonic material on at least one side surface of the three dimensional shape of dielectric material, wherein the plasmonic material deposited on the at least one side surface forms the tapered portion of the peg

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasmonic resonance:

Implementation Method 2

enhances the thermal gradient and reliability of NFT structures, improving the quality and performance of HAMR devices by focusing laser energy effectively to small areas on magnetic media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and thermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10186283B2Methods of forming near field transducers (NFTS) and portions thereof

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

A method of forming a peg of a NFT, the peg having a tapered portion, the method including depositing a layer of dielectric material; forming a three dimensional shape from at least a portion of the dielectric material the three dimensional shape having two side surfaces and two end surfaces; and depositing plasmonic material on at least one side surface of the three dimensional shape of dielectric material, wherein the plasmonic material deposited on the at least one side surface forms the tapered portion of the peg.