Thermally Assisted Magnetic Head with Integrated Light Source and Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermally assisted magnetic recording technologies face challenges in producing high-yield magnetic heads with integrated light sources and magnetic recording elements, due to issues like reduced propagation efficiency, complex structures, and difficulties in applying conventional production methods, which affect the recording density and thermostability of magnetization.
Innovation Solution
A thermally assisted magnetic head design where the magnetic recording element is fixed to the slider substrate and the light source is separately fixed to a support substrate, allowing independent testing and integration, with a waveguide to guide light to the medium-facing surface, reducing heat transfer and simplifying the structure, enabling the use of conventional production methods and improving yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light source is located at a position apart from the slider with optical fiber and lens for light guidance, then the magnetic recording element can be separately optimized, but the propagation efficiency of light is reduced and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source and magnetic recording element into an integrated unit mounted on the slider, eliminating the need for separate optical fiber and lens components. This integration simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to separately optimize both functions during the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the magnetic head into distinct functional modules: the magnetic recording element, the light source, and the slider substrate. This segmentation allows independent optimization and testing of each component before final integration, improving overall yield while maintaining a relatively simple structure.
2Device complexity
If the light source is integrated on the slider with the magnetic recording element, then the structure is simplified, but the yield is reduced due to synergistic effect of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integration process into distinct stages: first optimizing and testing the magnetic recording element separately, then integrating the light source in a controlled manner. This segmented integration approach maintains structural simplicity while improving yield by allowing systematic optimization of each component before final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary optimization and testing of the magnetic recording element before integrating the light source. This preliminary action ensures that the magnetic component is fully optimized independently, and the light source is then integrated in a controlled manner that minimizes yield reduction.
3Quantity of substance
If the size of fine magnetic particles is decreased to increase recording density, then the recording density increases, but the thermostability of magnetization degrades due to decreased volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by applying heat to the recording medium temporarily during the writing process. This temperature parameter change reduces the coercive force of the magnetic particles, allowing writing of high-density recordings without requiring permanent changes to the particle size or composition that would compromise thermostability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by applying heat only during the writing process and then allowing the medium to cool back to its original temperature. This periodic heating and cooling cycle enables high-density recording while maintaining the original thermostability of the magnetic particles, as the heating is temporary and reversible.
4Reliability
If heat is applied to the recording medium before writing to decrease coercive force, then writing becomes feasible with high KU materials, but the structure becomes more complex due to additional heating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the integrated light source unit that is already mounted on the slider with the magnetic recording element. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating components and structures, as the same integrated unit that contains the magnetic recording element also provides the thermal assistance for writing.
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 yield of thermally assisted magnetic heads, allows for high-density recording, and simplifies the structure by reducing propagation losses and heat effects, while maintaining the thermostability of magnetization, thus enabling efficient thermally assisted magnetic recording.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed on the light source support substrate; wherein the slider has a slider substrate and a magnetic head portion disposed on a side of the medium-facing surface in the slider substrate; wherein the magnetic head portion comprises a magnetic recording element for generating a magnetic field, and a waveguide for receiving light through an end face thereof opposite to the medium-facing surface, and guiding the light to the medium-facing surface
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic recording element for generating a magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
heat is applied to the recording medium immediately before application of the writing magnetic field, to decrease the coercive force
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally assisted magnetic head has a slider having a medium-facing surface, and a light source unit having a light source support substrate, and a light source disposed on the light source support substrate. The slider has a slider substrate and a magnetic head portion disposed on a side of the medium-facing surface in the slider substrate; the magnetic head portion includes a magnetic recording element for generating a magnetic field, and a waveguide for receiving light through an end face opposite to the medium-facing surface, and guiding the light to the medium-facing surface; the light source support substrate is fixed to a surface opposite to the medium-facing surface in the slider substrate so that light emitted from the light source can enter the end face of the waveguide.