Spin-Orbit Torque Magnetic Recording Head Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic recording devices face challenges with energy efficiency, complexity in manufacturing, and data erasure due to side shields, which hinder the improvement of areal density and track density in magnetic media devices.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording head incorporating a spin Hall structure recessed from the media-facing surface and a spin-torque structure surrounding the main pole, utilizing spin-orbit torque to induce magnetization switching, which eliminates the need for side and leading shields, thereby enhancing track and linear density without additional process steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If side shields are added to improve track density, then track density increases, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the side shield component entirely and replaces its function with a spin-torque structure that generates magnetic fields through spin-orbit torque, eliminating the need for additional shielding structures while maintaining track density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical side shield structure with a spin-torque structure that uses spin-orbit torque to generate magnetic fields for track definition, substituting a physical mechanical component with a field-based mechanism
2Reliability
If pseudo spin-valve structure is used to generate spin-transfer torque, then magnetization switching is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters from spin-transfer torque (requiring high current through pseudo spin-valve) to spin-orbit torque (using spin Hall angle effects in heavy metal layers), achieving magnetization switching with different physical mechanisms that are easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex pseudo spin-valve structure, replacing it with a simpler spin Hall structure consisting of heavy metal layers coupled to ferromagnetic layers, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining magnetization switching capability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional magnetic recording head is used, then manufacturing process is established, but areal density improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spin-orbit torque as a new dimensional approach to magnetic recording, using spin Hall structures and spin-torque structures that operate in addition to conventional write heads, enabling areal density improvement without completely replacing existing manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional head structure where the spin-torque structure serves multiple purposes: generating magnetic fields for writing, defining track boundaries, and potentially assisting in reading operations, thereby improving areal density while utilizing existing manufacturing capabilities
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 solution increases areal density capability by simplifying the manufacturing process and improving track and linear density, while eliminating the need for side and leading shields, resulting in more efficient data storage.
Implementation Method 1
Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is generated from the spin Hall structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to data storage devices, and more specifically, to a magnetic media drive employing a magnetic recording head. The head includes a main pole, a spin Hall structure surrounding at least a portion of the main pole at a location that is recessed from a media facing surface (MFS), and a spin-torque structure surrounding at least a portion of the main pole at the MFS. Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is generated from the spin Hall structure. The spin-torque structure magnetization switching (or precession) is induced by the SOT. The SOT based head with the spin-torque structure increases both track density (tracks per inch) and linear density (bit per inch). The areal density capability (ADC), which is the product of tracks per inch and bit per inch, can be further improved by removing the side shield and the leading shield, when the spin-torque structure is utilized in the SOT based head.