Self-Aligned Magnetic Insulating Feature for Shield Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fabrication of reduced form factor magnetic elements with varying thickness shields is challenging due to alignment issues and process variations, which degrades the performance of data storage devices by affecting the magnetic response and shielding characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligned magnetic insulating feature comprising first and second insulating layers is used to separate the bias magnet from the magnetic stack and shields, allowing for precise alignment of varying thickness portions and improving magnetic element performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional deposition techniques are used to fabricate magnetic elements with varying thickness shields, then manufacturing process is simpler, but alignment precision of shields deteriorates due to process variations
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic shield structure serves itself by using its own varying thickness portions as alignment references. The transition regions at different thicknesses automatically align with each other through self-reference, eliminating the need for external alignment markers or complex alignment processes. This self-aligning mechanism compensates for deposition variations and achieves precise alignment without increasing fabrication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shield is fabricated with predetermined varying thickness portions and transition regions before final assembly. These pre-formed geometric features serve as built-in alignment references that guide subsequent deposition and assembly steps, ensuring precise alignment of shield components while simplifying the overall fabrication process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shield thickness is increased to improve shielding characteristics, then magnetic shunting is reduced, but device form factor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic shield employs varying thickness portions with different local qualities - thicker regions provide enhanced shielding and magnetic shunting prevention where needed, while thinner regions reduce overall device volume. The transition regions smoothly connect these varying thickness portions, optimizing the balance between shielding performance and compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing shield thickness in one dimension, the invention varies thickness across multiple dimensions and locations. The shield transitions from uniform thickness to non-uniform varying thickness, utilizing dimensional variation to achieve both reduced magnetic shunting and minimized device volume simultaneously.
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 self-aligned insulating feature simplifies the fabrication of magnetic elements, enhances alignment accuracy, and maintains strict shielding characteristics while allowing efficient interaction between the magnetic stack and biasing magnet, thereby improving data storage device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic stack positioned on an air bearing surface and biased to a predetermined magnetization by a bias magnet
Implementation Method 2
a self-aligned magnetic insulating feature that is comprised of first and second insulating layers
Data Source
AI summary
Various apparatus and associated method embodiments are generally directed to a magnetic stack positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS) and biased to a predetermined magnetization by a bias magnet. The bias magnet can be separated from the magnetic stack and at least one magnetic shield by a self-aligned magnetic insulating feature that is comprised of first and second insulating layers.