TAMR Slider Laser Shock Protection Standoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic read/write heads employing thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) face challenges in achieving high data densities due to conflicting requirements of strong writing fields and small write head sizes, which can lead to shock-induced damage of exposed lasers used for thermal energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A shock-protected laser is implemented using a metallic stand-off element, either formed from the load beam material or attached separately, to surround and protect the laser from mechanical shocks, ensuring it remains functional during HDD operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the laser is mounted directly on the slider to enable TAMR, then thermal energy transfer to the magnetic medium is achieved, but the laser becomes vulnerable to shock-induced damage
Solution Approach 1:
A shock-absorbing element is introduced between the laser and the slider to provide beforehand cushioning against mechanical shocks. This element is configured to absorb shock forces during impact events, protecting the laser from damage while maintaining the laser's functional connection to the slider for thermal energy transfer to the magnetic medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock-absorbing element serves as an intermediary component between the laser and the slider. It mediates the mechanical connection by providing shock absorption capabilities while allowing the laser to remain mounted on the slider for its intended function of heating the magnetic medium during TAMR operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the write head size is reduced to achieve high areal densities, then recording density improves, but the write field gradient decreases and field profile broadens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the magnetic medium by using thermal energy from the laser to raise the medium's temperature to its Curie temperature. This parameter change temporarily reduces the medium's coercivity and anisotropy, enabling easier magnetic writing with smaller write heads that would otherwise be unable to generate sufficient field gradient for high-density recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical magnetic field writing system with a thermal energy transfer mechanism. Instead of relying solely on the write head's magnetic field to overcome the medium's high coercivity, a laser provides thermal energy to temporarily alter the medium's magnetic properties, substituting mechanical field strength requirements with thermal energy input.
3Stability of the object's composition
If magnetic media with high coercivity and high magnetic anisotropy are used to delay superparamagnetic effect, then thermal stability improves, but the writing field strength requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laser-induced thermal energy to change the temperature parameter of the magnetic medium locally at the write region. By raising the temperature to the Curie temperature, the medium's coercivity and anisotropy parameters are temporarily reduced, allowing writing to proceed with weaker magnetic fields while maintaining thermal stability in non-heated regions through the use of high coercivity and anisotropy materials.
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 effectively prevents damage to the laser and associated optical components from mechanical shocks, maintaining the integrity of the TAMR head structure and enabling continued high data density recording without compromising the existing fabrication processes.
Implementation Method 1
transfer of electromagnetic energy to a small, sub-micron sized region of a magnetic medium through interaction of the magnetic medium with the near field of an edge plasmon excited by an optical frequency laser
Implementation Method 2
edge plasmon excited by an optical frequency laser
Implementation Method 3
The heating effect of TAMR works by raising the temperature of a small region of the magnetic medium to essentially its Curie temperature
Implementation Method 4
A shock-protected laser is implemented using a metallic stand-off element, either formed from the load beam material or attached separately, to surround and protect the laser from mechanical shocks
Data Source
AI summary
An optical laser-activated TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) slider, when normally mounted on a flexure, has an optical laser as well as other elements of its optical system exposed and subject to damage by mechanical shocks. The stand-off protective device disclosed herein, formed separately and attached to the flexure, or formed as part of the flexure itself, can protect the optical elements of such a slider from these shocks, particularly from inadvertent contacts with adjacent sliders or mechanical limiters.