Side Shield Biasing Layer Separated from Air Bearing Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In data storage devices, the positioning of side shields proximal to a magnetic stack can lead to magnetic instability and increased asymmetry, hindering reliable data resolution, especially in reduced form factor environments where increased areal bit density is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic element with a magnetic stack having an air bearing surface (ABS) and side shields biased by a tunable biasing layer, which contacts the side shield but is separated from the ABS, allowing for stabilization of magnetization and optimized performance without increasing shield-to-shield spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If side shields are positioned proximal to the magnetic stack, then data track resolution is improved, but magnetic stability deteriorates due to magnetic instability and increased asymmetry
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic spacer layer is introduced between the side shield and the magnetic stack, serving as an intermediary that physically separates the two components. This spacer prevents direct magnetic interaction while maintaining the beneficial proximity for resolution, thereby stabilizing the magnetization without compromising data track resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful magnetic interaction is extracted or removed by introducing the non-magnetic spacer layer that eliminates the direct magnetic coupling between the side shield and magnetic stack. This extraction of the harmful magnetic field interaction resolves the magnetic instability while preserving the geometric proximity needed for high resolution.
2Quantity of substance
If side shields are positioned proximal to increase areal bit density, then data capacity is improved, but noise increases due to magnetic asymmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic spacer layer acts as a mediator that allows the side shields to remain in close proximity for increased areal bit density while blocking the transmission of harmful magnetic asymmetry and noise to the magnetic stack, thereby enabling high density storage without noise contamination.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shield-to-shield spacing is increased to reduce magnetic interference, then magnetic stability is improved, but device form factor increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing spacing in the lateral dimension, the solution introduces separation in the vertical dimension through the non-magnetic spacer layer. This dimensional shift allows magnetic stability to be achieved without increasing the lateral footprint or overall device form factor, maintaining compactness while resolving magnetic interference.
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 configuration enhances magnetic stability and resolution, improving data access reliability and speed by mitigating errant magnetization vectors and noise, while maintaining the compact form factor of data storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
The side shield can be biased by a biasing layer that contacts the side shield and is separated from the ABS
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments may configure a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack that is configured with an air bearing surface (ABS) and is separated from a side shield. The side shield can be biased by a biasing layer that contacts the side shield and is separated from the ABS.