Plasmon Generator Separating Layer for Thermal Recording Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal assisted magnetic recording heads face deterioration in recording properties due to agglomeration at the distal end surface of the plasmon generator, which affects the ability to generate converged near-field light and maintain thermal stability, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A plasmon generator with a separating layer between its distal end surface and a second portion, which minimizes the migration of atomic vacancies and prevents agglomeration, ensuring the distal end surface remains effective in generating near-field light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plasmon generator operates continuously for thermal assisted magnetic recording, then recording functionality is maintained, but agglomeration occurs at the distal end surface causing deterioration in recording properties
Solution Approach 1:
The plasmon generator is divided into multiple portions (first portion with distal end surface, second portion, and intermediate portion) with a separating layer between them. This segmentation prevents agglomeration from propagating to the distal end surface, allowing continuous operation without deterioration in recording properties.
Solution Approach 2:
A separating layer is introduced as an intermediary between different portions of the plasmon generator. This layer acts as a barrier that prevents metal atom diffusion and agglomeration while allowing the plasmon generator to maintain its heating function for continuous recording.
2Power
If metal atoms are used in the plasmon generator for near-field light generation, then surface plasmon generation is enabled, but heat-induced diffusion and migration cause agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The separating layer serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents metal atom diffusion while allowing the plasmon generator portions to maintain their metal atom composition for effective surface plasmon generation and near-field light production.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the plasmon generator have different structural characteristics - the distal end surface portion maintains metal atom composition for plasmon generation, while the separating layer portion provides barrier properties to prevent agglomeration, creating local quality differences that resolve the contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If the distal end surface contacts the magnetic recording medium under load, then recording contact is achieved, but stress and temperature increase cause accelerated agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The plasmon generator is segmented into portions with the separating layer acting as a buffer zone. This segmentation allows the distal end surface to contact the magnetic recording medium under load while the separating layer absorbs stress and prevents temperature-induced agglomeration from affecting the recording surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating layer provides beforehand cushioning against stress and temperature effects. By placing this protective layer between the plasmon generator bulk and the distal end surface, it preemptively prevents agglomeration before it can occur at the recording-contacting surface.
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 separating layer effectively reduces agglomeration, maintaining the performance of the thermal assisted magnetic recording head by preventing void formation at the distal end surface, thus ensuring consistent heating of the magnetic recording medium and improved recording density.
Implementation Method 1
a separating layer situated between the first portion and the second portion and separating the first portion from the second portion... minimizes the migration of atomic vacancies
Implementation Method 2
The plasmon generator is coupled to some of the propagation light propagated through the core in the surface plasmon mode to generate surface plasmon, propagates the surface plasmon to a distal end surface situated on the air bearing surface, and generates near-field light at the distal end surface
Implementation Method 3
generates near-field light at the distal end surface... ensuring consistent heating of the magnetic recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A plasmon generator generates surface plasmon and generates near-field light from the surface plasmon at a distal end surface situated on an air bearing surface facing a magnetic recording medium. The plasmon generator has a first portion including the distal end surface, a second portion situated away from the air bearing surface, and a separating layer situated between the first portion and the second portion and separating the first portion from the second portion.