Protective Cap for Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of head overcoat (HOC) thickness in magnetic recording sliders improves magnetic spacing and performance but compromises the reliability and lifetime of the slider due to increased oxidation, presenting a challenge in maintaining performance while ensuring longevity.
Innovation Solution
A protective cap is placed on preselected locations of the HOC to increase its thickness, act as a barrier against oxygen migration, and protect critical components, thereby reducing oxidation and extending the slider's lifetime without significantly affecting magnetic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head overcoat (HOC) thickness is reduced to improve magnetic spacing and performance, then magnetic performance is improved, but the reliability and lifetime of the slider deteriorate due to increased oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap segments the HOC into regions of different thicknesses, with the cap providing enhanced protection at critical locations while maintaining thinner HOC elsewhere to preserve magnetic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap applies localized additional protection only where needed (at preselected locations on the HOC) rather than uniformly increasing thickness everywhere, thus protecting critical components while maintaining overall magnetic performance
2Reliability
If a protective cap is added to increase HOC thickness and protect against oxidation, then reliability and lifetime are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is integrated as part of the HOC structure, with the cap being deposited or formed on top of the existing HOC layer, creating a nested configuration that adds protection without requiring a completely separate structural system
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 protective cap effectively increases the HOC thickness at specific locations, enhancing the slider's reliability and lifetime while maintaining minimal impact on thermal fly-height control and magnetic performance, with test results showing more than twice the lifetime of the spin-torque oscillator compared to sliders without the cap.
Implementation Method 1
Reducing the thickness of the HOC can improve the magnetic spacing and performance of the device, but can also reduce the reliability and lifetime of the magnetic recording head or slider due to increased oxidation
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide various magnetic recording slider structures and fabrication methods that can reduce head overcoat (HOC) thickness without significantly reducing the lifetime and reliability of a slider by using a protective cap placed on preselected locations on the outermost surface or HOC of the slider. A slider includes a writer comprising an energy-assisted recording element. The writer is configured to store information on a magnetic medium using the energy-assisted recording element. The slider includes a head overcoat (HOC) layer providing an outermost media facing surface. The slider further includes a protective cap positioned on the HOC layer to at least partially cover the energy-assisted recording element, the protective cap including a preselected shape configured to protect the energy-assisted recording element.