Thermally-Assisted Magnetic Recording Head Plasmon Generator Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording heads face challenges in maintaining the reliability of plasmon generators, achieving precise alignment of the end faces of the plasmon generator and main pole, and allowing for desired sizing of the main pole width without limitations imposed by the plasmon generator width, while also dealing with heat-related deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head design featuring a plasmon generator with a first material portion and a second material portion of different metals, where the second material portion is exposed and has a higher Vickers hardness, and a surrounding layer with adjustable gap film end faces to ensure precise alignment and desired sizing of the main pole width, along with a separating film to manage heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plasmon generator is exposed in the medium facing surface to generate near-field light, then data writing capability is improved, but the plasmon generator deforms or breaks due to heat, shortening device life
Solution Approach 1:
The plasmon generator is divided into two material portions: a first material portion (soft metal like Au or Ag) that is not exposed and a second material portion (hard metal like Ru or Rh) that is exposed in the medium facing surface. This segmentation allows the soft first material to generate plasmons while the hard second material withstands thermal stress and mechanical wear, resolving the contradiction between functionality and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasmon generator uses a composite structure combining two different metal materials with complementary properties. The first material (Au/Ag) provides excellent plasmon generation capability, while the second material (Ru/Rh) provides high hardness and heat resistance. This composite material approach allows the device to simultaneously achieve high reliability and resistance to heat damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If the end face of the plasmon generator and the end face of the main pole are aligned precisely, then recording precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap film is formed beforehand to define the precise position of the plasmon generator relative to the main pole. By establishing this positional reference in advance through the gap film structure, the alignment precision is ensured before final assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving high precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the main pole width is sized independently of the plasmon generator width, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gap film end faces are positioned in another dimension (lateral direction) relative to the plasmon generator and main pole widths, allowing independent sizing of the main pole while maintaining precise alignment through the gap film's positional definition in the vertical direction.
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 reliability of the plasmon generator, allows for precise alignment and desired sizing of the main pole width, and improves heat management, leading to improved performance and longevity of the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the core and the surface of the plasmon generator face each other with a gap interposed therebetween. This head is configured to excite surface plasmons on the plasmon generator by using evanescent light that occurs on the surface of the core based on the light propagating through the core
Implementation Method 2
excite surface plasmons on the plasmon generator by using evanescent light that occurs on the surface of the core based on the light propagating through the core, and to cause near-field light to be generated from the end face of the plasmon generator based on the excited surface plasmons
Implementation Method 3
cause near-field light to be generated from the end face of the plasmon generator based on the excited surface plasmons
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a main pole and a plasmon generator. The plasmon generator includes a first material portion and a second material portion formed of different materials. The first material portion is located away from the medium facing surface. The second material portion includes a near-field light generating surface. The main pole has a front end face including a first end face portion and a second end face portion. The near-field light generating surface, the first end face portion and the second end face portion are arranged in this order along the direction of travel of a recording medium.