Patent Application
20130279310
Laser mounted write devices are sometimes used to record information on storage media. For example, in the technology of magnetic storage media, a technique known as heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) can utilize a laser or other light source to heat a portion of the magnetic media prior to a write operation being performed. The light source heats the targeted storage location and thus makes the write operation more efficient and accurate. In order to direct the light to a targeted spot on the magnetic media, a waveguide can be used.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following more particular written Detailed Description of various implementations and implementations as further illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.
In accordance with one embodiment an apparatus is disclosed that comprises a slider and an antireflection material in juxtaposition with a top surface of the slider. A method may be utilized to manufacture a slider by disposing an antireflection material in juxtaposition with a top surface of a slider, in accordance with yet another embodiment. Also, an antireflective material may be disposed between a facet edge of a laser and an incident surface of a waveguide, in accordance with yet another embodiment.
These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present technology may be realized by reference to the figures, which are described in the remaining portion of the specification.
Embodiments of the present technology are disclosed herein in the context of a disc drive system. However, it should be understood that the technology is not limited to a disc drive system and could readily be applied to other technology systems as well.
With reference now to
Information may be written to and read from recorded magnetic domains 112 on the disc 102 in different data tracks 110. A transducer head 124 is mounted on an actuator assembly 120 at an end distal to an actuator axis of rotation 122. The transducer head 124 flies in close proximity above the surface of the disc 102 during disc operation. The actuator assembly 120 rotates during a seek operation about the actuator axis of rotation 122 positioned adjacent to the disc 102. The seek operation positions the transducer head 124 over a target data track of the data tracks 110.
The exploded view 140 shows slider 120 attached to a laser submount assembly having a laser light source 130 (e.g., a laser diode) or other light source (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)). The laser submount assembly 134 is shown integrated with the slider 120. In one implementation, the integration can be accomplished utilizing a bonding pad and/or bonding cavity (designated by the dashed lines).
The slider 120 can include a write section (not shown) having a main write pole magnetically coupled to a return or opposing pole by a yoke or pedestal. A magnetization coil surrounds the yoke or pedestal to induce magnetic write pulses in the write pole. In other implementations, the slider 120 may be constructed without a yoke or return pole. The slider 120 may also include one or more read sensors (not shown) for reading data off of the media.
Light “λ” (lambda) from the laser light source 130 is shown passing through an antireflective coating 125 so as to be incident on a waveguide 132 on the trailing edge of the slider 120. Using the waveguide, the light can then be redirected and/or focused on a point on the media in close proximity to the write pole on the slider 120. A near-field transducer (NFT) may also be mounted on the slider 120 to further concentrate the light on the point on the media 108. In another implementation, one or more of the laser light source 130, waveguide 132, mirrors (not shown), and/or NFTs (not shown) are mounted on an area of the slider 120 other than the trailing surface.
By using a laser coupled with the write head, a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) recording technique can be utilized. A HAMR system allows the light from the laser to heat a portion of the magnetic recording medium prior to a write operation being performed. The light from the laser can be focused via a waveguide on a precise location of the magnetic medium prior to the write head performing a write operation. This allows improved areal density to be achieved. A HAMR head thus allows the laser to be situated precisely so that the laser can be directed at the desired location on the magnetic recording medium. One way of mounting the laser on the write head is to utilize a submount device. This allows the laser to be mounted on the slider. A laser diode can be utilized as the laser in accordance with one embodiment.
In accordance with one embodiment and as discussed in more detail below, an antireflective material can be utilized on the surface of the slider to allow the light emitted from the light source (e.g., laser or LED) to be utilized by the waveguide. Referring now to
Referring now to
One characteristic of the waveguide that can diminish the quality and effectiveness of the device is a reflective surface of the waveguide. The reflective surface of the waveguide causes some of the incident light from the laser to be reflected from the surface of the waveguide rather than transmitted through the waveguide material. This can lead to diminished efficiency for the device.
In accordance with one embodiment, the problems caused by reflection at the surface of the waveguide can be diminished by utilizing an anti-reflection coating in juxtaposition with the surface of the waveguide. For purposes of this disclosure, the slider 320 shown in
The coating process can take place prior to mounting the laser submount assembly. The coating can be achieved utilizing photolithography to deposit layers in order to fabricate the anti-reflection coating. For example, the process could include the steps of: bar mount, photo lithograph, deposition, and resist lift-off.
A variety of coatings could be utilized for their antireflective properties. For example, one might utilize MgF2, SiO2, or Al2O3 as the antireflective coating.
Once the antireflective coating is disposed on the slider, the laser submount assembly can be positioned on the slider. This allows the laser to be positioned over the waveguide portion of the slider. Moreover, it allows the laser to be positioned above the antireflective coating of the slider.
In accordance with one embodiment, one might choose to utilize an intermediate layer of material between the antireflective coating and the top surface of the waveguide. Therefore, it should be understood that the antireflective coating need only be placed in juxtaposition with the waveguide surface so as to be operative to reduce reflection. It is not a requirement in all embodiments that the antireflective material be placed directly on the waveguide surface itself.
Referring now to
A more detailed embodiment is illustrated by the flowchart in
Operation block 510 shows that a laser submount assembly can be positioned above the anti-reflection material. The laser of the laser submount assembly can be configured to direct light at the waveguide during operation. Operation block 512 shows that MgF2, SiO2, or Al2O3, ZnSe (moth eye), silicon monoxide, yttrium fluoride, or PE-CVD DLC can be utilized as the antireflection material. In one embodiment, one might choose to use two or more layers of these materials so as to utilize two or more of these materials. For example, one can use alternating layers of high and low index materials.
Referring now to
It is noted that many of the structures, materials, and acts recited herein can be recited as means for performing a function or step for performing a function. Therefore, it should be understood that such language is entitled to cover all such structures, materials, or acts disclosed within this specification and their equivalents, including any matter incorporated by reference.
It is thought that the apparatuses and methods of embodiments described herein will be understood from this specification. While the above description is a complete description of specific embodiments, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the patent as defined by the claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. section 119 of U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/637,459 filed on Apr. 24, 2012 and entitled “Slider Antireflection Coating for HAMR Light Delivery Efficiency” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61637459 | Apr 2012 | US |
