Parabolic Waveguide Blocker for HAMR Thermal Gradient Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) systems, uncoupled optical energy radiates as background, degrading the thermal spot confinement and reducing the thermal gradient, which affects the data capacity and reliability of hard disk drives (HDDs).
Innovation Solution
A parabolic waveguide blocker is introduced in the near-field transducer (NFT) to reduce electromagnetic radiation and recycle scattering fields, improving the thermal gradient and increasing the area density capacity (ADC) of HAMR heads by using a parabolic shape with a 45-degree slope angle and materials like Ruthenium and Tantalum Oxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If uncoupled optical energy is allowed to radiate to the recording medium, then the waveguide core can transmit more optical energy, but the thermal spot confinement is degraded and the thermal gradient is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the uncoupled optical energy that would otherwise radiate as harmful background to the recording medium. By introducing a waveguide blocker that specifically targets and blocks this uncoupled energy, the system maintains high optical energy transmission through the waveguide core while preventing the degradation of thermal spot confinement and thermal gradient caused by radiating background energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide blocker serves as an intermediary element positioned between the waveguide core and the recording medium. This intermediary structure selectively blocks uncoupled optical energy while allowing the desired optical energy to reach the NFT and recording medium, thus mediating between the need for high energy transmission and the need for maintaining thermal gradient.
2Temperature
If a waveguide blocker is introduced to reduce electromagnetic radiation, then the thermal gradient is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire NFT structure, the patent applies the waveguide blocker only in the specific location where uncoupled optical energy is generated and radiated - at the waveguide core interface. This localized approach improves thermal gradient while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by targeting only the critical region that causes the problem.
3Temperature
If the waveguide blocker blocks uncoupled optical energy, then the thermal background is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide blocker is merged with existing NFT components rather than being implemented as a completely separate element. By integrating the blocker function into the existing waveguide core structure or adjacent components, the patent reduces thermal background while minimizing the need for additional high-precision manufacturing steps, as the blocker can be formed using similar fabrication processes already employed for the NFT.
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 parabolic waveguide blocker enhances thermal gradient and reduces thermal background, thereby increasing the data storage capacity and reliability of HAMR heads by optimizing the focal length and suppressing electromagnetic radiation.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide blocker can be configured to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide core
Implementation Method 2
recycle a scattering field emitting from the NFT
Implementation Method 3
near field surface plasmon resonance on the NFT can be excited by a waveguide and heats the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a near-field transducer (NFT) for a hard disk drive write head with a parabolic waveguide blocker. The waveguide blocker can include a parabolic curved surface in a center portion of a first side of the waveguide blocker and a first side comprising a slope angle of between 10-90 degrees. The waveguide blocker can be configured to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide core and recycle a scattering field emitting from the NFT to mitigate a thermal background in a recording medium and improve a thermal gradient to increase an area density capacity (ADC) of the hard disk drive write head.