Side Shield Pedestal Magnetic Reader Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic data readers face reliability issues due to reduced magnetic shielding in high-density data storage devices, where minimized magnetic shields increase magnetic flux proximity, degrading performance and stability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic reader configuration with a magnetic stack positioned laterally adjacent a side shield and non-magnetic pedestal on an air bearing surface, where the pedestal has a greater stripe height than the side shield, allowing for tuned thickness and stripe height to balance magnetic bias and stability, reducing soft magnetic material and minimizing adverse magnetic field influence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If magnetic shields are minimized in size for high-density data storage, then device density increases, but magnetic flux proximity increases causing degraded performance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic pedestal is introduced as an intermediary structure between the magnetic stack and the side shield. This pedestal elevates the magnetic stack, increasing its separation from the side shield and reducing adverse magnetic field influence. The pedestal acts as a mediator that maintains spatial separation without requiring larger magnetic shields, thus preserving both high density and reliability.
2Loss of substance
If side shield thickness is reduced to decrease soft magnetic material, then magnetic bias on magnetic stack is reduced, but magnetic shielding effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on increasing side shield thickness in the horizontal dimension, the solution introduces a vertical dimension by elevating the magnetic stack on a pedestal. This vertical separation compensates for the reduced horizontal shielding thickness, maintaining magnetic flux containment while using less soft magnetic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position (height) of the magnetic stack is changed by placing it on a pedestal of specific thickness. This parameter change in vertical positioning compensates for the reduced side shield thickness, optimizing the balance between magnetic bias and shielding effectiveness without increasing material quantity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If non-magnetic pedestal thickness is increased to reduce magnetic bias, then magnetic stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedestal is integrated into the existing magnetic reader structure as a unified component rather than an separate addition. It is formed as part of the substrate structure and works in conjunction with the magnetic stack and side shield as a cohesive system, minimizing overall device complexity while achieving magnetic stability.
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 shielding in high-density data storage environments, reducing data reading errors and latency while maintaining magnetic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The ability to tune the thickness of the pedestal and the stripe height of the side shield provides reduced magnetic field bias on the magnetic stack
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments may be generally directed to a magnetic element capable of reading magnetic data bits. Such a magnetic element may have at least a magnetic stack laterally adjacent a side shield and non-magnetic pedestal on an air bearing surface (ABS). The non-magnetic pedestal can be configured to have a greater stripe height from the ABS than the side shield.