Thermally-Assisted Magnetic Recording Head Heat Radiation Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermally assisted magnetic heads face issues with the medium-opposing surface projecting and colliding with the magnetic recording medium due to self-expansion and heat generation, leading to potential melting and deformation of the plasmon antenna, which affects the ability to intensely heat small recording regions.
Innovation Solution
A thermally assisted magnetic head design featuring a near-field light generating layer in a triangle shape with a heat radiating layer and an optical waveguide, where the heat generated is efficiently radiated away, preventing self-expansion and maintaining the structural integrity of the plasmon antenna, and a protective insulating layer prevents projection during polishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a plasmon antenna is used to generate near-field light for heating the magnetic recording medium, then the ability to intensely heat small recording regions is improved, but the medium-opposing surface projects and collides with the magnetic recording medium due to self-expansion and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The head structure is divided into functionally independent layers: the plasmon antenna layer for light generation, the heat radiating layer for thermal management, and the medium-opposing surface layer for mechanical stability. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing the plasmon antenna from deforming due to heat while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat radiating layer acts as an intermediary between the plasmon antenna and the external environment. It absorbs excess heat from the plasmon antenna and dissipates it laterally, preventing the medium-opposing surface from projecting due to thermal expansion while ensuring the recording region receives sufficient heating for data recording.
2Productivity
If the plasmon antenna generates intense heat for high-density recording, then recording density is improved, but the antenna may melt or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The heat that could potentially damage the plasmon antenna is converted into a beneficial function by the heat radiating layer. This layer captures the excess heat and dissipates it laterally, transforming what would be a harmful thermal accumulation into an effective thermal management mechanism that enables high-density recording without compromising antenna integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter is enhanced by introducing the heat radiating layer with high thermal conductivity material. This changes the heat distribution pattern from concentrated (which would cause melting) to distributed (which enables safe high-density recording). The layer modifies the thermal field parameters to prevent antenna deformation while maintaining recording effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If the medium-opposing surface is positioned close to the recording medium for high precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the surface is likely to collide with the recording medium due to projection
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiating layer is positioned between the plasmon antenna and the medium-opposing surface to provide thermal cushioning before thermal expansion can cause projection. By managing heat in advance, the layer prevents the medium-opposing surface from colliding with the recording medium, enabling the surface to be positioned close to the medium for high precision without collision risk.
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 design enhances the ability to intensely heat small recording regions without risking the plasmon antenna's structure, preventing failures in hard disk drives due to projection or melting, and maintains high recording density and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a method using a plasmon antenna (also called a plasmon probe) that is a minute metal piece. In this method, the near-field light is generated by guiding laser light to the plasmon antenna via an optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
When light enters an opening smaller than the wavelength of light, the light slightly seeps from the opening and locally exists near the opening. The light locally existing near the opening is called near-field light. The near-field light is confined in a region much smaller than that of a spot light obtained by collecting light using a lens, so that use of the near-field light makes it possible to heat only a limited extremely small recording region of the magnetic recording medium
Implementation Method 3
the optical waveguide is formed to be opposed to a ridge part of the near-field light generating layer via an interposed layer... and a heat radiating layer is provided on a side of the near-field light generating layer opposite to the optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The near-field light generating layer has a near-field light generating part in a triangle shape with the generating end part being one vertex, and is formed in a triangle pole shape. The optical waveguide is formed to be opposed to a ridge part of the near-field light generating layer via an interposed layer. The main magnetic pole layer is formed to be opposed to the generating end part via the interposed layer. The thermally assisted magnetic head further includes a heat radiating layer in contact with an opposite side of the near-field light generating layer from the optical waveguide.