Thermal Fly Height Control Magnetic Recording Head Heating Element Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal fly height control magnetic write heads face challenges in maintaining consistent touch down detection and minimizing space occupied by heating elements while maximizing heater efficiency to achieve sharp transitions on perpendicular magnetic media.
Innovation Solution
A novel heater element design with a recessed center portion and laterally extending side portions, where the front edge tapers away from the air bearing surface at an angle of 20 to 45 degrees, optimizing heater performance by focusing heat and protrusion in the center of the data track while minimizing adjacent track heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a heating element is added to locally heat the write head, then the write head's ability to write sharp transitions on perpendicular magnetic media is improved, but the consistency of touch down detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element incorporates a recessed center portion with different geometry than side portions, creating localized thermal zones. The recessed center portion (with width W and depth D) generates focused heat for sharp transitions, while the side portions provide broader heating, achieving differential thermal control that resolves the contradiction between sharp transition capability and touch down detection consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element geometry parameters are specifically optimized with the recessed center portion having width W = 1.5-2.5 times depth D, and side portions extending laterally at 20-45 degree angles. These parameter changes create distinct thermal profiles that enable both sharp transitions and consistent touch down detection
2Volume of moving object
If the heating element space is minimized, then the device compactness is improved, but the heater efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed center portion concentrates heating energy in a small, localized volume directly over the write pole, maximizing thermal efficiency in the critical region. The tapered side portions extend laterally to provide additional heating coverage without significantly increasing overall element volume, thus maintaining compactness while improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element utilizes vertical recessing (depth dimension) in addition to lateral extension, creating a three-dimensional heat distribution pattern. The recessed center portion dips below the air bearing surface by depth D, allowing concentrated heating in the vertical dimension while the side portions extend laterally, achieving efficient heating without excessive horizontal space occupation
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 provides optimal heater performance, ensuring consistent touch down detection and improved efficiency by concentrating heat and protrusion in the center of the data track, thereby enhancing writing and reading capabilities on perpendicular magnetic media.
Implementation Method 1
A write head can be incorporated with a heating element to locally heat a portion of the writer to make the writer element and read element closer to the medium during writing and reading
Implementation Method 2
the front edge of each of the first and second side portions defines an angle that is 20 to 45 degrees relative to a plane that is parallel with the air bearing surface... providing optimal protrusion around the center of data track while minimizing heating/protrusion of adjacent track areas
Data Source
AI summary
A heating element for use in a thermal fly height control magnetic recording head of a magnetic data recording system. The heating element has a centrally disposed portion with a straight front edge that is recessed by a substantially constant distance, and has first and second side portions that taper away from the air bearing surface. The side portions preferably taper away from the air bearing surface by an angle of 20 to 45 degrees. The center portion of the front edge is spaced from the air bearing surface by a distance D and has a width W, such that W is 1.5 to 2.5 (or about 2) times D. D is typically 2-6 um to have good heater efficiency while being large enough to not over heat the heater. The heating element has an overall width WW and a overall depth HH from the air bearing surface such that WW is 1.5-2.5 (or about 2) times HH.