Discrete Track Magnetic Medium Using Si Alloy Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic recording media face challenges in increasing track density while maintaining high recording and reproducing properties, as higher track density leads to interference between adjacent tracks, thermal fluctuation issues, and complex production processes, particularly in discrete track-type media, which complicates the formation of a flat surface and increases the risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A discrete track-type magnetic recording medium is developed with a nonmagnetic substrate and a magnetic recording track and servo signal pattern, where a nonmagnetic Si alloy is formed by diffusing Si into the magnetic layer to physically separate tracks, simplifying the production process and enhancing head-floating stability and track separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If track density is increased to enhance surface recording density, then recording capacity is improved, but interference between adjacent tracks occurs and SNR deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic recording medium is divided into discrete tracks separated by nonmagnetic regions. This segmentation physically isolates adjacent magnetic tracks, preventing magnetic interference while maintaining high track density for enhanced surface recording capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The medium features localized nonmagnetic regions between tracks that provide magnetic isolation. These nonmagnetic portions create distinct magnetic domains in the magnetic layer, ensuring that magnetization in one track does not interfere with adjacent tracks, thus maintaining high SNR even at increased track density.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete track method is used to physically separate adjacent tracks, then track interference is reduced, but production process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Nonmagnetic portions are formed in the substrate before the magnetic layer is deposited. This preliminary structuring allows the magnetic layer to be formed continuously over the entire surface without requiring subsequent complex patterning or etching steps, significantly simplifying the production process while achieving discrete track separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate structure and magnetic layer are combined into an integrated structure where the nonmagnetic substrate portions directly provide the track separation function. This merging eliminates the need for separate track formation processes and reduces the number of production steps required.
3Quantity of substance
If recording bits are reduced in size to increase surface recording density, then more bits can be stored, but thermal fluctuation causes magnetization reversal and data extinction
Solution Approach 1:
Each magnetic recording bit is confined to a discrete magnetic region separated from adjacent bits by nonmagnetic portions. This spatial segmentation creates independent magnetic domains that prevent thermal fluctuations in one bit from affecting neighboring bits, maintaining data stability even as bit size decreases.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonmagnetic portions create localized magnetic domains with distinct magnetization directions. This local magnetic isolation ensures that each bit maintains its magnetization state independently, preventing thermal-induced magnetization reversal from propagating between adjacent bits and preserving data reliability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If nonmagnetic portions are formed by dry etching to create discrete tracks, then track separation is achieved, but contamination risk increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Nonmagnetic portions are formed in the substrate before magnetic layer deposition, eliminating the need for dry etching of the magnetic layer. This preliminary formation of track structures prevents contamination of the magnetic layer and removes complex etching steps, thereby increasing production efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry etching step for forming nonmagnetic portions is extracted from the production process. Instead of etching the magnetic layer after deposition, the nonmagnetic portions are created in the substrate beforehand, removing the contaminating etching operation from the magnetic layer formation sequence and improving overall production efficiency.
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 allows for higher recording density with reduced signal interference, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and stable head floatation, while simplifying the production process by omitting the dry etching step, thus enhancing productivity and achieving a high recording density.
Implementation Method 1
a nonmagnetic part consisting of a nonmagnetic alloy containing Si for physically separating the magnetic recording track and the servo signal pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A discrete track-type magnetic recording medium (30) includes a nonmagnetic substrate (1), a magnetic recording track and a servo signal pattern which are provided on at least one side of the nonmagnetic substrate, and a nonmagnetic part (4) consisting of a nonmagnetic alloy containing Si for physically separating the magnetic recording track and the servo signal pattern. A magnetic recording and reproducing device comprising, in combination, the magnetic recording medium (30), a driving part (26) serving to drive the magnetic recording medium in a direction of recording, a magnetic head (27) composed of a recording part and a reproducing part, a device (28) to impart motion to the magnetic head relative to the magnetic recording medium, and a recording and reproducing signal processing device (29) for entering a signal into the magnetic head and reproducing an output signal from the magnetic head.