Variable Anisotropy Side Shield for Magnetic Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As data storage devices advance to higher data capacity and faster access times, the increased data bit density leads to inadvertent reading of data bits from adjacent tracks due to magnetic noise and asymmetry, which existing lateral magnetic shields fail to adequately address without introducing magnetic instability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic element is configured with a magnetic stack adjacent to and separated from a side shield on an air bearing surface, where the side shield has a predetermined anisotropy gradient along the down-track direction, allowing for uniform anisotropy distribution across the track and optimized magnetization control to minimize asymmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral magnetic shields are introduced to mitigate side reading, then magnetic shielding is improved, but magnetic asymmetry and instability are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side shield is engineered with a spatially varying anisotropy field, where the magnetic anisotropy parameter changes along the down-track direction. This gradient in anisotropy allows the shield to maintain stable magnetization while providing effective shielding, resolving the contradiction between shielding effectiveness and magnetic stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side shield are assigned different magnetic anisotropy characteristics. The anisotropy varies locally along the down-track direction, with each region optimized to contribute to overall shielding while maintaining local magnetic stability. This local variation prevents the magnetic asymmetry that would occur with uniform shielding.
2Quantity of substance
If data bit density is increased to achieve higher data capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but inadvertent reading from adjacent tracks increases due to magnetic noise
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a gradient in magnetic anisotropy along the down-track direction of the side shield, the magnetic noise profile is modified. The varying anisotropy creates a controlled magnetic environment that suppresses noise from adjacent tracks while allowing high data bit density to be maintained on the target track.
Solution Approach 2:
The side shield with variable anisotropy acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent data tracks. It mediates the magnetic field interactions by providing a controlled magnetic barrier that blocks noise from adjacent tracks while allowing the high-density data on the intended track to be read accurately.
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 stabilizes magnetization and reduces magnetic instability, enabling precise magnetization control and maintaining high data bit density without degrading cross-track or down-track resolution, thus enhancing the accuracy of data sensing in reduced form factor data storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
The side shield can be configured with a predetermined anisotropy variation along a down-track direction
Implementation Method 2
lateral magnetic shields conduct magnetic flux
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments may be generally directed to a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack positioned adjacent to and separated from at least one side shield on an air bearing surface (ABS). The side shield can be configured with a predetermined anisotropy variation along a down-track direction.