Waveguide Reflective Grating for HAMR Energy Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic storage devices face challenges in achieving high-capacity storage with small bit sizes due to limitations in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, particularly in efficiently focusing optical energy for magnetic media softening.
Innovation Solution
The use of a waveguide with reflective devices and a near-field transducer (NFT) to generate a standing wave with maximum energy intensity at a target region, optimizing energy interaction for heat-assisted magnetic recording by propagating light through a waveguide with a cladding and core, and employing reflective gratings to enhance energy recycling and focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If optical energy is focused by a near field transducer for heat-assisted magnetic recording, then magnetic media softening is achieved, but energy transfer efficiency is insufficient for high-capacity storage
Solution Approach 1:
A waveguide is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical energy source and the near field transducer. The waveguide guides and concentrates the optical energy, acting as a mediator that enhances the coupling efficiency between the laser source and the NFT, thereby improving overall energy transfer efficiency for HAMR operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reflective grating structure that operates in the angular dimension to control and redirect optical energy. By using diffraction grating equations, the system redirects light at specific angles to achieve precise focusing at the target region, adding an angular dimension to the energy transfer process
2Illumination intensity
If reflective devices are used to generate standing waves with maximum energy intensity, then energy focusing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure incorporates reflective devices (mirrors or reflective gratings) at specific locations along the waveguide path. These reflective elements are strategically positioned to create standing waves with maximum intensity at the target region where the near field transducer is located, concentrating energy locally rather than uniformly throughout the waveguide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical focusing systems with an optical-based standing wave generation approach. Instead of using mechanical lenses or mirrors to focus light, the system uses waveguide geometry and reflective surfaces to create standing waves that naturally concentrate energy at the target region, simplifying the overall system
3Productivity
If heat is applied to magnetically soften media surface during recording, then high capacity storage is enabled, but energy delivery precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective grating introduces angular dimension control to the energy delivery system. By designing the grating with specific groove periods and orientations, the system precisely controls the direction and focus point of the optical energy, enabling accurate heating at the desired location on the magnetic media surface
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide with reflective devices creates a resonant cavity that provides feedback on energy distribution. The standing wave pattern formed in the waveguide naturally reinforces energy at the target region while suppressing it elsewhere, providing self-regulating feedback that improves heating precision
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 enhances the efficiency of energy transfer to the magnetic media, allowing for precise heating and improved recording capabilities, enabling higher capacity storage with smaller bit sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide may be formed with a core and cladding... The waveguide is configured to propagate the optical energy from the laser diode to the near field transducer
Implementation Method 2
The NFT is arranged on or near the ABS to transit the focused optical energy to the magnetic media disk surface to produce the heating
Implementation Method 3
employing reflective gratings to enhance energy recycling and focusing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a waveguide with first and second sections, and a junction coupling the first and second waveguide sections together. The first waveguide section has a first reflective device and the second section comprising a second reflective device arranged to generate a standing wave in the waveguide with maximum energy wave intensity at a target region of the waveguide in response to an incident energy wave being provided into at least one of the waveguide sections.