Suspension-Mounted Laser for EAMR Transducer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of laser diodes and optical components in conventional energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drives is time-consuming and prone to errors, affecting manufacturing throughput and yield, as well as the performance of the disk drives due to potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a slider with an air-bearing surface and a laser-facing surface, where the EAMR transducer is coupled with the slider, and the laser is mounted on the suspension with its optic axis parallel to the suspension, allowing energy to be provided directly to the transducer via free space, enabling accurate alignment and improved manufacturability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laser diode is coupled in proximity to the EAMR transducer on the trailing edge of the slider with a nonzero angle orientation, then the light can be provided to the transducer via optical components, but the alignment process becomes time-consuming and prone to error
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the laser on the slider at an angle to the transducer, the patent inverts the conventional approach by mounting the laser on the suspension with its optic axis parallel to the suspension. This reversal of the mounting location and orientation eliminates the need for complex angular alignment procedures while maintaining effective optical coupling between the laser and transducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alignment marks that are copies or references positioned on the suspension and slider to facilitate precise alignment. These alignment marks serve as templates or guides that enable quick and accurate positioning of the laser relative to the transducer without requiring complex measurement and adjustment procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If the laser is mounted on the slider with nonzero angle orientation, then the optical component can direct light to the transducer, but the manufacturing throughput and yield are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by placing the laser on the suspension rather than on the slider. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating complex angular orientations and allows for more straightforward assembly procedures, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assembly process by allowing the laser to be mounted on the suspension independently of the slider assembly. This segmentation enables parallel manufacturing operations and simplifies quality control, as the laser alignment can be performed separately using alignment marks before final assembly, thus improving manufacturing efficiency and yield.
3Loss of time
If the laser is mounted on the suspension with optic axis parallel to the suspension, then the alignment efficiency is enhanced, but the laser must be optically coupled via free space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical component from the conventional configuration by eliminating the need for intermediate optical elements between the laser and transducer. By mounting the laser on the suspension with its optic axis parallel to the suspension, the system uses free space optical coupling directly, removing complex optical components and simplifying the overall optical path while maintaining alignment 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 configuration enhances the alignment efficiency, improves manufacturing processes, and increases the performance of EAMR disk drives by allowing for precise alignment of the laser with the transducer, reducing errors and increasing throughput.
Implementation Method 1
The laser provides energy substantially along the optic axis and is optically coupled with the EAMR transducer via free space. The EAMR transducer(s) receive the energy from the laser(s) and write to the media using the energy.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive comprises a suspension and a slider having a back side, a laser-facing surface, and an air-bearing surface (ABS) opposite the back side. The slider is mounted to the suspension on the back side. The disk drive further comprises an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, a portion of the EAMR transducer residing in proximity to the ABS and on the laser-facing surface of the slider. The disk drive further comprises a laser coupled with the suspension and having a light emitting surface facing the laser-facing surface of the slider. The laser has an optic axis substantially parallel to the suspension. The laser provides energy substantially along the optic axis and is optically coupled with the EAMR transducer via free space. The EAMR transducer receives the energy from the laser and writes to the media using the energy.