The present embodiments relate to a pre-assisted microwave assisted magnetic recording (PA-MAMR) write head that utilizes spin-Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs). The SHNO can include a free layer and a spin-hall layer comprising a spin-hall material(s). The SHNO(s) can be disposed in a leading shield (LS) region and can be used to pump energy into the media before the writing process. A spin-torque oscillator (STO) utilized in other write head designs can be replaced with SHNOs, which can pre-excite the media and let the media oscillation damp over time and then switch under the writer field.
The present embodiments relate to a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor structure with an oxide seed layer that can generally promote the magnetic moment of an Iron-Nickel-Rhenium (FeNiRe) junction shield film, and a magnesium oxide (MgO) seed layer can be magnetic moment at the highest level and provide a low Hc. Particularly, the present embodiments can provide a rare earth doped NiFe or CoFe for a junction shield application, such as a FeNiRe material for a junction shield application. Further, an oxide seed layer of a rare earth doped NiFe or CoFe can be used for junction shield application. In some instances, an oxide seed layer of FeNiRe film can be used for junction shield application. Additionally, a MgO seed layer of rare earth doped NiFe or CoFe or a MgO/FeNiRe layer can be used for a junction shield application.
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with an STO element and configured to direct an electric current between elements of the write head. A first example embodiment describes a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head. The PMR write head can include a main pole comprising a tip portion disposed adjacent to an air bearing surface (ABS) and is configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. The PMR write head can also include a spin torque oscillator (STO) element disposed adjacent to the main pole. The PMR write head can also include a side shield layer with a portion of the side shield layer disposed adjacent to the ABS. The PMR write head can also include a metallic side gap layer disposed between the main pole and the side shield layer.
Writer head products for heat-assisted magnetic recording devices and methods of making the same are disclosed. The writer heads include multiple layers including a waveguide blocking layer, a waveguide layer, a near-field transducer layer, a heat sink layer, and a peg layer. Each of the layers may comprise a tapered angle near an air-bearing surface. The writer heads further include a main magnetic pole adjacent to the optical component including the same tapered angle near the air-bearing surface.
The present embodiments relate to a pre-assisting microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) (PA-MAMR) write-head structure where the STO is disposed within a leading shield (LS). The STO can be used to pump energy into the media before the writing process. The STO can also pre-excite the media and let the media oscillation damp over the time and then switch under the writer field. The present embodiments can be easier to increase the magnetic volume and magnetic moment of the free layer, while also achieving a greater oscillation frequency with magnetization oscillations around the axis in the film plane.
Writer head products for heat-assisted magnetic recording devices and methods of making the same are disclosed. The writer heads include multiple layers including a waveguide blocking layer, a waveguide layer, a near-field transducer layer, a heat sink layer, and a peg layer. The peg layer may comprise a small triangular section that extends from an air-bearing surface into the optical component. The writer heads further include a main magnetic pole adjacent to the optical component.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
7.
Asymmetric Side Gap Writer Fabricated By Ion-Beam Etching (IBE) / Ion-Beam Deposition (IBD) Process For Aerial Density Capability (ADC) Improvement
The present embodiments relate to a write head with an asymmetrical side gap (SG) design. In the asymmetrical design, the main pole can be disposed offset to a central axis of the write head such that the main pole is closer to a first side shield (SS) portion than a second SS portion. The asymmetrical design can be achieved using an ion-beam etching (IBE) or ion-beam deposition (IBD) process. The asymmetrical design can provide a narrower side gap width while mitigating any writability limitations or constraints caused by scaling down the SG.
A magnetic recording writer is disclosed. The writer can include a main pole and side shields that have a first sidewall portion proximate to the ABS facing the curved sidewalls of the main pole and formed substantially conformal to the curved sidewalls up to a height of about 10 to 200 nm above the ABS, a second sidewall portion proximate to the corner connecting the first flared sidewalls and the curved sidewalls of the main pole and formed substantially conformal to the curved sidewalls up to the height of about 10 to 200 nm above the ABS, a third sidewall portion connected to the second sidewall portion and formed substantially conformal to the first flared sidewall, and a fourth sidewall portion connected to the third sidewall portion and formed substantially parallel to the ABS; and a side gap separating the main pole from each side shield.
The present embodiments relate to a main pole design comprising a triangular shape and leading edge tapering for maximizing aerial density capacity. The design can include leading edge taper on the LS to create a taper angle on the MP to concentrate the magnetic flux in the MP. The MP can be shifted away from the LG to provide an additional LG portion on a leading side of the MP, and the taper angle can be greater at the additional LG portion than at the LG. The MP design can yield a larger MP surface area at the air bearing surface (ABS) and larger magnetic flux to the media bits.
A method of forming a read head is described where a Tunneling Magnetoresistive (TMR) stack of layers comprised of a free layer (FL) and having sidewalls separated by a cross-track width is formed on a bottom shield. In subsequent steps, a first insulation layer and longitudinal biasing layer are formed on the sidewalls and bottom shield. After a TMR sensor backside is formed that exposes the bottom shield, a second insulation layer and permanent magnet (PM) layer are deposited on exposed portions of the bottom shield. Thereafter, the PM layer magnetization is initialized in a direction that adjusts FL bias point, and shifts sensor asymmetry (Asym) closer to 0% for individual heads at slider or Head Gimbal Assembly level to provide a significant improvement in device yield. Asym is adjusted using different initialization schemes and initialization directions. With individual heads, initialization direction is selected based on a prior asymmetry measurement.
The present embodiments relate to a PMR write-head structure where the spin-orbit torque (SOT) material is in contact with the main pole in the write gap (WG). In addition, with the write shield (WS) electrically isolated from the side shield (SS) in the present designs, the current can be confined in the SOT material near the main pole, and the device resistance can remain within a reasonable range. It can be shown, using simulations, that the main pole switching rise time can be improved by 18˜24% using spin-orbit torque from heavy metals like platinum.
The present embodiments can generally provide a magnetic write head structure with optimized gap current distribution to maximize the current-assisted areal density capacity (ADC) gain in hard-disk-drive storage devices. In a first example embodiment, a non-dual-write-shield (nDWS) write head can include a main pole (MP), a trailing shield (TS), and a write gap (WG) disposed between the MP and the TS. The write head can also include a side shield (SS), a leading shield (LS), and a write shield (WS). The write head can include a side gap (SG) between the MP and the SS on both sides of the MP tip, and a leading gap (LG) between the MP and the LS. The write head can also include a coil wrapped around the MP through a PP3 shield that is configured to direct a time-dependent write current to saturate magnetization of the MP.
The present embodiments relate to a noble metal coating on a parabolic waveguide blocker surface to future improve thermal gradient for HAMR head which can provide an improved thermal spot confinement over other designs. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a component in the near field transducer (NFT), made of a metallic parabolic shaped waveguide blocker (PWB) with noble metal coating on the PWB surface. The designs as described herein can include a noble metal coating (e.g., Au, Rh, Ir, Pt, Aluminum (Al), etc.) which can enable a plasmonic effect on the PWB surface for HAMR thermal gradient improvement.
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
14.
Recessed Write Gap Material For Enhanced Bias Current Injection And Maximizing Aerial Density Capacity In Perpendicular Magnetic Recording
The present embodiments relate to a magnetic write head structure that improves the maximum allowable bias current to maximize the current-assisted areal density capacity (ADC) gain in hard-disk-drive storage device. The write head can include a magnetic main pole (MP) and a trailing shield (TS) made of magnetic material that collects back the magnetic flux and a write gap (WG) between the MP and the TS that is comprised of a non-magnetic electrical conductor. The WG can include a height that is greater than an eTHd height of the HS that can increase an electrical contact area between the HS and MP for a bias current flow. The WG can further include a first part extending an air-bearing surface (ABS) plane of the write head to a top of the eTHd height and a second part extending from the top of the eTHd height.
The present embodiments relate to a near-field transducer (NFT) for a hard disk drive write head with a parabolic waveguide blocker. The waveguide blocker can include a parabolic curved surface in a center portion of a first side of the waveguide blocker and a first side comprising a slope angle of between 10-90 degrees. The waveguide blocker can be configured to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide core and recycle a scattering field emitting from the NFT to mitigate a thermal background in a recording medium and improve a thermal gradient to increase an area density capacity (ADC) of the hard disk drive write head.
The present embodiments relate to write heads implementing microwave-assisted magnetic recording utilizing multiple spin torque oscillators (STOs). Each STO can include a field-generation layer (FGL) that can oscillate in a same frequency and out of phase with one another. The layers in each STO can enable mutual spin transfer torques between adjacent layers, which can drive the FGLs into a large angle oscillation. The oscillation between the FGLs can cause a magnetic field to be generated that can assist in writing to a magnetic recording medium.
G11B 5/11 - Shielding of head against electric or magnetic fields
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
17.
Pre-assisting microwave-assisted magnetic recording with spin-torque nano-oscillators
The present embodiments relate to a pre-assisting microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) (PA-MAMR) write-head structure where the STO is disposed within a leading shield (LS). The STO can be used to pump energy into the media before the writing process. The STO can also pre-excite the media and let the media oscillation damp over the time and then switch under the writer field. The present embodiments can be easier to increase the magnetic volume and magnetic moment of the free layer, while also achieving a greater oscillation frequency with magnetization oscillations around the axis in the film plane.
A PMR read/write head configured for heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), produces a thermally active bulge when a current is passed through a heater element formed on a centrally recessed heat sink mounted on a read shield. When the heater element is activated by a current, a bulge is formed by thermal expansion of the centrally recessed heat sink and symmetric pairs of bumper pads are formed. These thermally activated bumper pads act like symmetrically shaped nano-bumpers and provide enhanced touchdown (TD) protection to a reader (or writer) element. The PMR read/write head is mounted on a slider and the assembly is incorporated into a hard disk drive (HDD).
The present embodiments relate to a near-field transducer (NFT) for a hard disk drive write head with a parabolic waveguide blocker. The waveguide blocker can include a parabolic curved surface in a center portion of a first side of the waveguide blocker and a first side comprising a slope angle of between 10-90 degrees. The waveguide blocker can be configured to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide core and recycle a scattering field emitting from the NFT to mitigate a thermal background in a recording medium and improve a thermal gradient to increase an area density capacity (ADC) of the hard disk drive write head.
The present embodiments relate to a free layer of a sensor (e.g., a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor) for a cobalt-iron (CoFe) and tantalum (Ta) (CFT) to form a layer with a small Hc. A shield material as described with the present embodiments can include a cobalt-iron (CoFe) and tantalum (Ta) (CoFe-25 at %)-Ta material that can give a high magnetic moment, amorphous (low Hc), high Hex, high Jk.
The present embodiments relate to a magnetic write head structure that improves the maximum allowable bias current to maximize the current-assisted areal density capacity (ADC) gain in hard-disk-drive storage device. The write head can include a magnetic main pole (MP) and a trailing shield (TS) made of magnetic material that collects back the magnetic flux and a write gap (WG) between the MP and the TS that is comprised of a non-magnetic electrical conductor. The WG can include a height that is greater than an eTHd height of the HS that can increase an electrical contact area between the HS and MP for a bias current flow. The WG can further include a first part extending an air-bearing surface (ABS) plane of the write head to a top of the eTHd height and a second part extending from the top of the eTHd height.
G11B 5/012 - Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic disks
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
22.
Noble metal coated plasmonic waveguide blocker for heat assisted magnetic recording head
The present embodiments relate to a noble metal coating on a parabolic waveguide blocker surface to future improve thermal gradient for HAMR head which can provide an improved thermal spot confinement over other designs. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a component in the near field transducer (NFT), made of a metallic parabolic shaped waveguide blocker (PWB) with noble metal coating on the PWB surface. The designs as described herein can include a noble metal coating (e.g., Au, Rh, Ir, Pt, Aluminum (Al), etc.) which can enable a plasmonic effect on the PWB surface for HAMR thermal gradient improvement.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
23.
Tapered optical and magnetic elements for improved writing in heat-assisted magnetic recording
Writer head products for heat-assisted magnetic recording devices and methods of making the same are disclosed. The writer heads include multiple layers including a waveguide blocking layer, a waveguide layer, a near-field transducer layer, a heat sink layer, and a peg layer. Each of the layers may comprise a tapered angle near an air-bearing surface. The writer heads further include a main magnetic pole adjacent to the optical component including the same tapered angle near the air-bearing surface.
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with a Two Tunable bias branch design that can electrical separate a WS1/PP3 and a SS/LS to form two tunable bias branches. A write head can include a main pole, a write gap (WG) disposed adjacent to the main pole, and a hot seed (HS) layer connected to the WG. The PMR write head can also include a trailing shield, a side shield and a leading shield. Two tunable bias branches can be formed to electrically separate the trailing shield and the side and leading shields. A first branch can include a first electrical path between the main pole and the trailing shield. The tunable bias branches can also include a second branch forming a second electrical path between the main pole and the side and leading shields.
A method of fabricating a near field transducer (NFT) in a thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) head is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: depositing a dielectric layer and a template layer on a waveguide core; patterning the template layer to form a template; depositing an Au NFT layer; planarizing the Au NFT layer to generate a planar layer; depositing an upper NFT layer; applying a peg patterning mask; etching the upper NFT layer and the planar layer that includes the Au NFT layer; removing the template; and depositing a dielectric material and planarizing an upper surface that includes the upper NFT layer.
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
26.
Parabolic shaped plasmonic waveguide blocker for heat assisted recording head
The present embodiments relate to a near-field transducer (NFT) for a hard disk drive write head with a parabolic waveguide blocker. The waveguide blocker can include a parabolic curved surface in a center portion of a first side of the waveguide blocker and a first side comprising a slope angle of between 10-90 degrees. The waveguide blocker can be configured to reduce electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide core and recycle a scattering field emitting from the NFT to mitigate a thermal background in a recording medium and improve a thermal gradient to increase an area density capacity (ADC) of the hard disk drive write head.
The present embodiments relate to reader designs that incorporate Inverse Spin Hall Effect (ISHE). ISHE can convert part of a longitudinal spin-current into a transversal charge current where a spin-current can be created by flowing a charge current in the perpendicular to plane direction (CPP current) through a sense magnetic layer adjacent to the material with spin orbit interactions. The spintronic reader can include a stack of layers that includes a sense layer with a magnetization configured to be biased primarily in a cross-track direction relative to an air-bearing surface (ABS), a spin-orbit layer characterized by a spin hall angle, and an electrical contact layer disposed adjacent to the spin-orbit layer to enable a current to flow throughout the sense layer and spin orbit layer.
The present embodiments relate to a free layer structure of a sensor (e.g., a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor) with a non-magnetic layer deposited between free layers. For instance, a free layer structure can be created by inserting a subatomic non-magnetic layer with materials such as Tantalum (Ta) or Hafnium (Hf) between a first free layer and a second free layer. Inserting the non-magnetic layer can break the translation of the first free layer crystalline structure to the second free layer, thus making the second free layer more amorphous. The free layer structure can also include inserting an insertion layer before depositing a capping layer, which can reduce the influence of the capping layer crystalline structure to the free layer. Another example free layer structure can include inserting both the non-magnetic layer and the insertion layer to obtain a magnetically softer film.
The present embodiments relate to a near field transducer for thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) with a hybrid plasmonic bottom layer. In a first example embodiment, a thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) write head is provided. The TAMR write head can include a main pole and a near field transducer (NFT). The NFT can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first plasmonic material (e.g., rhodium, iridium, platinum). Further, the first layer can be disposed adjacent to the heat sink. The second layer can include a portion of a second plasmonic material (e.g., gold) and a first plasmonic portion (e.g., comprising rhodium). The first plasmonic portion of the second layer can be disposed adjacent to the ABS. The hybrid second layer (e.g., plasmonic bottom layer) can provide an improved NFT reliability during TAMR writing.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
A PMR read/write transducer head configured for heat assisted recording (HAMR) includes thermally active nano-bumper pads formed from a thermally active bulge that protrudes proximally to each side of a read element to provide enhanced touchdown (TD) protection to the transducer head element where it emerges adjacent to the HAMR apparatus. The bumper pads, which can be multiple, are disposed about the transducer head and absorb heat energy generated by active heating elements, including the write current. Absorption of this energy causes the bulge to expand and vary its shape and protrude proximally outward from the slider ABS to protect the read/write head from both intentional and unanticipated touchdown events. The PMR read/write head is then mounted on a slider and the assembly is incorporated into a hard disk drive (HDD).
The present embodiments relate to a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element. The TMR element can include a free layer comprising a metallic alloy that is doped using a dopant element. In some instances, the metallic alloy comprises a cobalt-iron (CoFe) alloy. The present embodiments relate to doping a small amount of an element (e.g., hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), Yttrium (Y)) in a high flux CoFe layer of a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element. The small amount of dopant can suppress a long-range order in the CoFe film. The amorphous state of a CoFe alloy can be induced by the dopant and result in a magnetically soft layer. A resistance of the TMR element can be modified based on an application of an external magnetic field to the free layer and the pin layer.
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
H01F 10/32 - Spin-exchange-coupled multilayers, e.g. nanostructured superlattices
H01F 41/18 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for applying magnetic films to substrates by cathode sputtering
32.
Method Of Ultra-Fine Critical Dimension Patterning For Magnetic Head Devices
Methods of critical dimension (CD) uniformity control for magnetic head devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method can include providing a film stack, the film stack including a substrate, a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor layer, and a hard mask layer, patterning the hard mask layer using a first mask that defines critical shape patterns other than the CD, forming a mandrel pattern using a second mask that defines the CD, and forming a sidewall spacer pattern on sidewalls of the mandrel pattern, and removing the mandrel pattern.
The present embodiments relate to a near field transducer for thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) with a hybrid plasmonic bottom layer. In a first example embodiment, a thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) write head is provided. The TAMR write head can include a main pole and a near field transducer (NFT). The NFT can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first plasmonic material (e.g., rhodium, iridium, platinum). Further, the first layer can be disposed adjacent to the heat sink. The second layer can include a portion of a second plasmonic material (e.g., gold) and a first plasmonic portion (e.g., comprising rhodium). The first plasmonic portion of the second layer can be disposed adjacent to the ABS. The hybrid second layer (e.g., plasmonic bottom layer) can provide an improved NFT reliability during TAMR writing.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
34.
Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Writer With Tunable Pole Side Bridge Design
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with a Tunable Pole Protrusion or Tunable Pole Performance (TPP) side bridge design. A PMR write head can include a main pole including a tip portion configured to be disposed at an air-bearing surface (ABS) and configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. The PMR write head can also include a hot seed (HS) portion and a first write shield. The PMR write head can also include a first metallic side bridge disposed between the tip portion of the main pole and the HS portion. The PMR write head can also include a bias circuit including at least a first bias electrical pad and a second electrical bias pad directing an electrical current flow along an electrical path between the tip portion of the main pole and the write shield portion via the first metallic side bridge.
The present embodiments relate to MP electroplating processes that eliminate seamlines using a bottom-up MP electroplating process. The MP electroplating process can include, after disposing the side shield, depositing a Ru layer as a side gap layer. The process can further include depositing an insulator layer. The MP bottom-up electroplating process can further include performing an ion-beam-etch (IBE) process to clean the insulator at bottom of the trench. After resist patterning, the electroplating process can include electroplating the MP on Ru seed only from the bottom of the trench. The seamline in the MP can be eliminated in the bottom-up MP electroplating process.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfacesMaterials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresistsApparatus specially adapted therefor
C25D 5/02 - Electroplating of selected surface areas
C25D 5/34 - Pretreatment of metallic surfaces to be electroplated
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
36.
Seamless Main Pole Electroplating For A Magnetic Recording Write Head
The present embodiments relate to methods for manufacturing a write head that prevents seamlines being present in a main pole. An oxide layer can be disposed over a Ruthenium (Ru) layer over a side shield over a first side of a trench formed in the side shield. A photo resist patterning process can clean the oxide layer and expose a portion of the Ru layer for main pole electroplating. The main pole can be electroplated in the trench such that the main pole contacts the Ru layer at a second side of the trench. The photo resist can be stripped and a planarization process can planarize the side shield and main pole surface.
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/127 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
37.
Near field transducer with template layer for improved reliability
A method of fabricating a near field transducer (NFT) in a thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) head is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: depositing a dielectric layer and a template layer on a waveguide core; patterning the template layer to form a template; depositing an Au NFT layer; planarizing the Au NFT layer to generate a planar layer; depositing an upper NFT layer; applying a peg patterning mask; etching the upper NFT layer and the planar layer that includes the Au NFT layer; removing the template; and depositing a dielectric material and planarizing an upper surface that includes the upper NFT layer.
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
38.
Spin-orbit torque assisted magnetic write head structure for perpendicular magnetic recording
The present embodiments relate to a PMR write-head structure where the spin-orbit torque (SOT) material is in contact with the main pole in the write gap (WG). In addition, with the write shield (WS) electrically isolated from the side shield (SS) in the present designs, the current can be confined in the SOT material near the main pole, and the device resistance can remain within a reasonable range. It can be shown, using simulations, that the main pole switching rise time can be improved by 18˜24% using spin-orbit torque from heavy metals like platinum.
The present embodiments relate to a write head design with a patterned hot seed (HS). Particularly, the HS can be patterned as part of a multi-step patterning process that can partially or completely remove portions of the HS at multiple sides to form various designs. For example, the HS can have a two-step cliff design, etching multiple steps around an un-patterned center portion, and a flared angle. The designs of the patterned HS can improve write head performance.
The present embodiments can generally provide a magnetic write head structure with optimized gap current distribution to maximize the current-assisted areal density capacity (ADC) gain in hard-disk-drive storage devices. In a first example embodiment, a non-dual-write-shield (nDWS) write head can include a main pole (MP), a trailing shield (TS), and a write gap (WG) disposed between the MP and the TS. The write head can also include a side shield (SS), a leading shield (LS), and a write shield (WS). The write head can include a side gap (SG) between the MP and the SS on both sides of the MP tip, and a leading gap (LG) between the MP and the LS. The write head can also include a coil wrapped around the MP through a PP3 shield that is configured to direct a time-dependent write current to saturate magnetization of the MP.
The present embodiments relate to magneto-resistive read heads that can utilize read shields to maintain a reference layer magnetization. A magneto-resistive head can include a first shield and a second shield disposed adjacent to the first shield, with a distance between the shields forming a read gap. The magneto-resistive head can also include a first spacer layer disposed in the read gap. The magneto-resistive head can also include a first reference layer disposed in the read gap adjacent to the first spacer layer. A first reference layer magnetization direction can be set based at least by a first shield magnetization direction. The magneto-resistive head can also include a sense layer disposed in the read gap between the first spacer layer and the second shield.
A STRAMR structure is disclosed. The STRAMR structure can include a spin torque oscillator (STO) device in a WG provided between the mail pole (MP) trailing side and a trailing shield. The STO device, includes: a flux guiding layer that has a negative spin polarization (nFGL) with a magnetization pointing substantially parallel to the WG field without the current bias and formed between a first spin polarization preserving layer (ppL1) and a second spin polarization preserving layer (ppL2); a positive spin polarization (pSP) layer that adjoins the TS bottom surface; a non-spin polarization preserving layer (pxL) contacting the MP trailing side; a first negative spin injection layer (nSIL1) between the ppL2 and a third spin polarization preserving layer (ppL3); and a second negative spin injection layer (nSIL2) between the ppL3 and the pxL, wherein the nFGL, nSIL1, and nSIL2 have a spin polarization that is negative.
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with an STO element and configured to direct an electric current between elements of the write head. A first example embodiment describes a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head. The PMR write head can include a main pole comprising a tip portion disposed adjacent to an air bearing surface (ABS) and is configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. The PMR write head can also include a spin torque oscillator (STO) element disposed adjacent to the main pole. The PMR write head can also include a side shield layer with a portion of the side shield layer disposed adjacent to the ABS. The PMR write head can also include a metallic side gap layer disposed between the main pole and the side shield layer.
2+ and a transition metal salt to an aqueous solution comprised of other additives in an electroplating cell that has an Ni or Co as the anode. The plated HD magnetic material as the trailing shield in a PMR writer can minimize a wide area track erasure (WATE). Further, a high moment high damping shield can lower bit error rate (BER) and increase aerial density capability (ADC) of the write head.
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with a self-aligned side gap insulator. A self-aligned SG oxide insulator can reduce or eliminate the current from MP to SS. The SG insulator can force the writer current to go through a writer gap and leading gap, which can improve ATI and TPI performance.
The present embodiments can generally provide a magnetic write head structure with optimized gap current distribution to maximize the current-assisted areal density capacity (ADC) gain in hard-disk-drive storage devices. In a first example embodiment, a non-dual-write-shield (nDWS) write head can include a main pole (MP), a trailing shield (TS), and a write gap (WG) disposed between the MP and the TS. The write head can also include a side shield (SS), a leading shield (LS), and a write shield (WS). The write head can include a side gap (SG) between the MP and the SS on both sides of the MP tip, and a leading gap (LG) between the MP and the LS. The write head can also include a coil wrapped around the MP through a PP3 shield that is configured to direct a time-dependent write current to saturate magnetization of the MP.
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with a Two Tunable bias branch design that can electrical separate a WS1/PP3 and a SS/LS to form two tunable bias branches. A write head can include a main pole, a write gap(WG) disposed adjacent to the main pole, and a hot seed (HS) layer connected to the WG. The PMR write head can also include a trailing shield, a side shield and a leading shield. Two tunable bias branches can be formed to electrically separate the trailing shield and the side and leading shields. A first branch can include a first electrical path between the main pole and the trailing shield. The tunable bias branches can also include a second branch forming a second electrical path between the main pole and the side and leading shields.
The present embodiments relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with a NFT bi-layer structure with a bottom taper, which can be applied to one or both layers of the two layers. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head can include a main pole including a tip portion configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium at an air-bearing surface (ABS). The HAMR write head can further include a near-field transducer (NFT) that includes a dielectric waveguide, a plasmon generator (PG) layer, and a second layer. The second layer can include a thermo-mechanically stable material disposed adjacent to the PG layer. Further, the PG layer and the second layer can form a taper angle relative to the ABS ranging between 30 and 60 degrees.
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
49.
Perpendicular magnetic recording head equipping a spin torque oscillator element with an electric current in side gaps
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with an STO element and configured to direct an electric current between elements of the write head. A first example embodiment describes a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head. The PMR write head can include a main pole comprising a tip portion disposed adjacent to an air bearing surface (ABS) and is configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. The PMR write head can also include a spin torque oscillator (STO) element disposed adjacent to the main pole. The PMR write head can also include a side shield layer with a portion of the side shield layer disposed adjacent to the ABS. The PMR write head can also include a metallic side gap layer disposed between the main pole and the side shield layer.
The present embodiments relate to a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element. The TMR element can include a free layer comprising a metallic alloy that is doped using a dopant element. In some instances, the metallic alloy comprises a cobalt-iron (CoFe) alloy. The present embodiments relate to doping a small amount of an element (e.g., hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), Yttrium (Y)) in a high flux CoFe layer of a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) element. The small amount of dopant can suppress a long-range order in the CoFe film. The amorphous state of a CoFe alloy can be induced by the dopant and result in a magnetically soft layer. A resistance of the TMR element can be modified based on an application of an external magnetic field to the free layer and the pin layer.
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
H01F 10/32 - Spin-exchange-coupled multilayers, e.g. nanostructured superlattices
H01F 41/18 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for applying magnetic films to substrates by cathode sputtering
51.
Perpendicular magnetic recording writer with tunable pole side bridge design
The present embodiments relate to a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head with a Tunable Pole Protrusion or Tunable Pole Performance (TPP) side bridge design. A PMR write head can include a main pole including a tip portion configured to be disposed at an air-bearing surface (ABS) and configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium. The PMR write head can also include a hot seed (HS) portion and a first write shield. The PMR write head can also include a first metallic side bridge disposed between the tip portion of the main pole and the HS portion. The PMR write head can also include a bias circuit including at least a first bias electrical pad and a second electrical bias pad directing an electrical current flow along an electrical path between the tip portion of the main pole and the write shield portion via the first metallic side bridge.
The present embodiments relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with a NFT bi-layer structure with a bottom taper, which can be applied to one or both layers of the two layers. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head can include a main pole including a tip portion configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium at an air-bearing surface (ABS). The HAMR write head can further include a near-field transducer (NFT) that includes a dielectric waveguide, a plasmon generator (PG) layer, and a second layer. The second layer can include a thermo-mechanically stable material disposed adjacent to the PG layer. Further, the PG layer and the second layer can form a taper angle relative to the ABS ranging between 30 and 60 degrees.
G11B 11/105 - Recording on, or reproducing from, the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods or means are covered by different main groups of groups or by different subgroups of group Record carriers therefor using recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation using a beam of light or a magnetic field for recording and a beam of light for reproducing, e.g. light-induced thermomagnetic recording or Kerr effect reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
A spin injection assisted magnetic recording structure is disclosed wherein a ferromagnetic (FM) layer and at least one spin preservation (SP) layer are formed between a main pole (MP) trailing side and a write shield (WS). Current (Ia) flows between the MP and WS, or is injected into the FM layer. As a result, the spin polarized electrons from the FM layer, which flow across one or two SP layers to generate a magnetization that enhances one or both of a local WS magnetization and return field, and a local MP magnetization and write field, respectively. A lead to the FM layer may be stitched to enable lower resistance and improve reliability. The FM layer may be recessed from the ABS to allow more overlap with the SP layer for lower current density while maintaining performance. Higher linear density and area density capability, and better reliability are achieved.
The present embodiments relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with a bi-layer planar plasmon generator (PPG) structure that includes both an iridium film as a plasmon generator (PG) layer and a gold-copper (AuCu) alloy as a bottom plasmonic layer. A HAMR write head can include a main pole including a tip portion disposed adjacent to an air-bearing surface (ABS). The HAMR write head can also include a heat sink disposed adjacent to the main pole and a bi-layer structure planar plasmon generator (PPG) structure. The PPG structure can also include a plasmon generator (PG) layer comprising an Iridium (Ir) film and a bottom plasmonic layer comprising a gold-copper (Au—Cu) alloy.
G11B 5/21 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features the pole pieces being of ferrous sheet metal
55.
Electroplating of high damping material for trailing shield in a perpendicular magnetic recording writer
2+ and a transition metal salt to an aqueous solution comprised of other additives in an electroplating cell that has an Ni or Co as the anode. The plated HD magnetic material as the trailing shield in a PMR writer can minimize a wide area track erasure (WATE). Further, a high moment high damping shield can lower bit error rate (BER) and increase aerial density capability (ADC) of the write head.
The present embodiments relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with an iridium (Ir) film. The Ir film can include a body layer and a plasmon generator (PG) film comprising Iridium with a thin Ir seed layer. The Ir seed layer can be in direct contact with a dielectric (aluminum oxide). The thickness of the Ir film can be 40 nanometers or less including both a body layer and the seed layer. Incorporating Iridium as a material used for a PG can be a high surface plasmon efficient material with also being reliable under high temperature irradiation during a heat-assisted writing process.
A read head includes a permanent magnet (PM) layer formed up to 100 nm behind a free layer where PM layer magnetization may be initialized in a direction that adjusts free layer (FL) bias point, and shifts sensor asymmetry (Asym) closer to 0% for individual heads at slider or Head Gimbal Assembly level to provide a significant improvement in device yield. Asym is adjusted using different initialization schemes and initialization directions. With individual heads, initialization direction is selected based on a prior measurement of asymmetry. The PM layer is CoPt or CoCrPt and has coercivity from 500 Oersted to 1000 Oersted. The PM layer may have a width equal to the FL, or in another embodiment, the PM layer adjoins a backside of the top shield and has a width equal to or greater than that of the FL.
SAE Technologies Development (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. (China)
SAE Magnetics (Hong Kong) Limited (Hong Kong)
Inventor
Jin, Xuhui
Yang, Pengbo
Shimazawa, Koji
Guo, Hong
Guo, Qinghui
Chiah, Vincent Man Fat
Abstract
A near field transducer (NFT) having improved reliability is disclosed. In some embodiments, a NFT includes a resonator body layer having a front side at a first plane that is recessed a first distance from an air bearing surface (ABS), and a peg layer that is a single layer made of a noble metal or alloy thereof. The peg layer includes a peg portion or peg with a front side at the ABS, a back side at the first plane, and two sides aligned orthogonal to the ABS and separated by the first cross-track width. The peg portion or the peg having a single peg grain with or without a desired (111) orientation through laser self-annealing process.
G09G 3/32 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix using controlled light sources using electroluminescent panels semiconductive, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED]
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
59.
Dual-spin torque oscillator designs in microwave assisted magnetic recording
The present embodiments relate to write heads implementing microwave-assisted magnetic recording utilizing multiple spin torque oscillators (STOs). Each STO can include a field-generation layer (FGL) that can oscillate in a same frequency and out of phase with one another. The layers in each STO can enable mutual spin transfer torques between adjacent layers, which can drive the FGLs into a large angle oscillation. The oscillation between the FGLs can cause a magnetic field to be generated that can assist in writing to a magnetic recording medium.
G11B 5/11 - Shielding of head against electric or magnetic fields
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
60.
Perpendicular magnetic recording writer with double driving coil
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer is disclosed. A write current passes through a driving coil and a bucking coil generates a magnetic flux that passes through the main pole tip and is used to write one or more magnetic bits in a magnetic medium. The improved PMR writer includes a double driving coil (DDC) design, in which a second electric current path in parallel with the driving coil through the main pole tip is added to drive the main pole in the same direction as the top driving coil.
A read head is disclosed wherein a Spin Hall Effect (SHE) layer is formed on a free layer (FL) in a sensor and between the FL and top shield (S2). Preferably, the sensor has a seed layer, an AP2 reference layer, antiferromagnetic coupling layer, AP1 reference layer, and a tunnel barrier sequentially formed on a bottom shield (S1). When the stripe heights of the FL and SHE layer are equal, a two terminal configuration is employed where a current flows between one side of the SHE layer to a center portion thereof and then to S1, or vice versa. As a result, a second spin torque is generated by the SHE layer on the FL that opposes a first spin torque from the AP1 reference layer on the FL.
Systems and methods for controlling a critical dimension (CD) uniformity of a magnetic head device are described. A film stack that is part of a system for controlling a critical dimension (CD) uniformity of a magnetic head device can include a substrate, a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor layer, and a hard mask layer. The system can also include a first mask that defines critical shape patterns other than the CD. The hard mask layer can be patterned using the first mask. The system can also include a second mask that defines the CD. A mandrel pattern can be formed on the hard mask layer using the second mask.
A composite hard mask is disclosed. In some embodiments, a first sacrificial hard mask layer comprising an amorphous carbon or silicon nitride and a second sacrificial hard mask layer comprising a silicon nitride, silicon oxide, metal, metal oxide, or metal nitride, wherein the first and second sacrificial hard mask layers are not made of the same material.
The present embodiments relate to a thermally-assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) head. A magnetic assist current can be applied to the TAMR head to assist in reducing timing jitter as the TAMR head interacts with a magnetic recording material. The TAMR head can include a main write pole including a tip portion and configured to direct a magnetic field for interacting with a magnetic recording medium. The TAMR head can include a laser diode to heat the magnetic recording medium and a dynamic fly height (DFH) heating element for dynamically controlling a height of the main write pole. The heating element can be of a parallel bias circuit that directs a direct current (DC) bias current flow along an electrical path from the magnetic yoke element to the tip portion of the main write pole adjacent to an air bearing surface (ABS).
A plurality of conductive via connections are fabricated on a substrate located at positions where MTJ devices are to be fabricated, wherein a width of each of the conductive via connections is smaller than or equivalent to a width of the MTJ devices. The conductive via connections are surrounded with a dielectric layer having a height sufficient to ensure that at the end of a main MTJ etch, an etch front remains in the dielectric layer surrounding the conductive via connections. Thereafter, a MTJ film stack is deposited on the plurality of conductive via connections surrounded by the dielectric layer. The MTJ film stack is etched using an ion beam etch process (IBE), etching through the MTJ film stack and into the dielectric layer surrounding the conductive via connections to form the MTJ devices wherein by etching into the dielectric layer, re-deposition on sidewalls of the MTJ devices is insulating.
A STRAMR structure is disclosed. The STRAMR structure can include a spin torque oscillator (STO) device in a WG provided between the mail pole (MP) trailing side and a trailing shield. The STO device, includes: a flux guiding layer that has a negative spin polarization (nFGL) with a magnetization pointing substantially parallel to the WG field without the current bias and formed between a first spin polarization preserving layer (ppL1) and a second spin polarization preserving layer (ppL2); a positive spin polarization (pSP) layer that adjoins the TS bottom surface; a non-spin polarization preserving layer (pxL) contacting the MP trailing side; a first negative spin injection layer (nSIL1) between the ppL2 and a third spin polarization preserving layer (ppL3); and a second negative spin injection layer (nSIL2) between the ppL3 and the pxL, wherein the nFGL, nSIL1, and nSIL2 have a spin polarization that is negative.
A manufacturing method for a magnetoresistive element includes: a step of forming a stack; a step of forming an insulating film to cover the stack; a step of forming an initial magnetic layer to cover the stack and the insulating film so that a thickness of the initial magnetic layer in a first direction is greater than a thickness of the stack in the first direction; a step of forming an organic material film on the initial magnetic layer; and an etching step of etching a part of the initial magnetic layer and the organic material film by ion beam etching so that the initial magnetic layer becomes a pair of magnetic layers.
A read head is disclosed wherein a Spin Hall Effect (SHE) layer is formed on a free layer (FL) in a sensor and between the FL and top shield (S2). Preferably, the sensor has a seed layer, an AP2 reference layer, antiferromagnetic coupling layer, AP1 reference layer, and a tunnel barrier sequentially formed on a bottom shield (S1). When the stripe heights of the FL and SHE layer are equal, a two terminal configuration is employed where a current flows between one side of the SHE layer to a center portion thereof and then to S1, or vice versa. As a result, a second spin torque is generated by the SHE layer on the FL that opposes a first spin torque from the AP1 reference layer on the FL.
A magnetic recording writer is disclosed. In some embodiments, the writer includes a main pole having a front portion and a back portion, a gap layer surround the main pole at the ABS, and a shield structure. The front portion includes a pole tip at an ABS plane, a pole tip thickness in a down-track direction, and curved sidewalls on each side of a center plane that is orthogonal to the ABS and bisects the main pole. The back portion includes first flared sidewalls extending from the curved sidewalls at an angle between 0 and 25 degrees relative to planes parallel to the center plane. The shield structure includes sidewalls having a sidewall portion facing the main pole and formed substantially conformal to the curved sidewalls up to a height of about 30-200 nm where the sidewall portions no longer follow the shape of the main pole.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/127 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
70.
Magnetic flux guiding device with spin torque oscillator (STO) film having negative spin polarization layers in assisted writing application
A STRAMR structure is disclosed. The STRAMR structure can include a spin torque oscillator (STO) device in a WG provided between the mail pole (MP) trailing side and a trailing shield. The STO device, includes: a flux guiding layer that has a negative spin polarization (nFGL) with a magnetization pointing substantially parallel to the WG field without the current bias and formed between a first spin polarization preserving layer (ppL1) and a second spin polarization preserving layer (ppL2); a positive spin polarization (pSP) layer that adjoins the TS bottom surface; a non-spin polarization preserving layer (pxL) contacting the MP trailing side; a first negative spin injection layer (nSIL1) between the ppL2 and a third spin polarization preserving layer (ppL3); and a second negative spin injection layer (nSIL2) between the ppL3 and the pxL, wherein the nFGL, nSIL1, and nSIL2 have a spin polarization that is negative.
Methods of critical dimension (CD) uniformity control for magnetic head devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method can include providing a film stack, the film stack including a substrate, a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor layer, and a hard mask layer, patterning the hard mask layer using a first mask that defines critical shape patterns other than the CD, forming a mandrel pattern using a second mask that defines the CD, and forming a sidewall spacer pattern on sidewalls of the mandrel pattern, and removing the mandrel pattern.
A waveguide includes a core and a cladding. The core has an inlet on which light is incident. The core includes a front portion and a rear portion located between the front portion and the inlet. The front portion and the rear portion each have a thickness that is a dimension in a first direction and a width that is a dimension in a second direction. The first direction is orthogonal to a propagation direction of the light. The second direction is orthogonal to the propagation direction of the light and the first direction. The thickness of the front portion decreases with increasing distance from the inlet.
G02B 6/122 - Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
G02B 6/136 - Integrated optical circuits characterised by the manufacturing method by etching
G11B 5/012 - Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic disks
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G02B 6/12 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
73.
Magnetic head including main pole having top surface including first inclined portion, second inclined portion, and third inclined portion, and spin torque oscillator
A magnetic head includes a main pole, a trailing shield, and a spin torque oscillator. A top surface of the main pole includes a first inclined portion, a second inclined portion, and a third inclined portion arranged in order of closeness to a medium facing surface. Each of the first to third inclined portions has a front end closest to the medium facing surface and a rear end farthest from the medium facing surface. Each of the first to third inclined portions is inclined relative to the medium facing surface and a direction orthogonal to the medium facing surface so that its rear end is located forward relative to its front end in a direction of travel of a recording medium.
A write shield of a magnetic head includes a pair of first side shields and a pair of second side shields. The pair of first side shields each include a first side wall and a second side wall. The pair of second side shields each include a third side wall. The third side wall of one of the pair of second side shields is continuous with the first side wall of one of the pair of first side shields. The third side wall of the other of the pair of second side shields is continuous with the first side wall of the other of the pair of first side shields.
A read head includes a permanent magnet (PM) layer formed up to 100 nm behind a free layer where PM layer magnetization may be initialized in a direction that adjusts free layer (FL) bias point, and shifts sensor asymmetry (Asym) closer to 0% for individual heads at slider or Head Gimbal Assembly level to provide a significant improvement in device yield. Asym is adjusted using different initialization schemes and initialization directions. With individual heads, initialization direction is selected based on a prior measurement of asymmetry. The PM layer is CoPt or CoCrPt and has coercivity from 500 Oersted to 1000 Oersted. The PM layer may have a width equal to the FL, or in another embodiment, the PM layer adjoins a backside of the top shield and has a width equal to or greater than that of the FL.
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a medium facing surface, a main pole, a waveguide, and a plasmon generator. A second metal layer of the plasmon generator includes a second front end facing the medium facing surface. A third metal layer of the plasmon generator includes a narrow portion located on the second metal layer. The narrow portion includes a front end face located in the medium facing surface and configured to generate near-field light from a surface plasmon, and a rear end opposite the front end face. The rear end is located farther from the medium facing surface than is the second front end.
G11B 11/105 - Recording on, or reproducing from, the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods or means are covered by different main groups of groups or by different subgroups of group Record carriers therefor using recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation using a beam of light or a magnetic field for recording and a beam of light for reproducing, e.g. light-induced thermomagnetic recording or Kerr effect reproducing
G11B 5/127 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
G11B 7/1387 - Means for guiding the beam from the source to the record carrier or from the record carrier to the detector using the near-field effect
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
77.
Perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer with recessed leading shield
A PMR (perpendicular magnetic recording) write head includes a main write pole (MP) that is surrounded by magnetic shields, including laterally disposed side shields (SS), a trailing shield (TS) and a leading shield (LS). The leading shield includes a leading-edge taper (LET) that conformally abuts a tapered side of the write pole. The leading-edge shield and the leading-edge taper can be independently recessed in a proximal direction away from an air bearing surface (ABS) plane so that one or the other of them is recessed and the other remains coplanar with the ABS, or both are recessed by independent amounts. In another configuration the LS is not planar but has a recessed portion in a center track region and two surrounding regions that are coplanar with the ABS plane.
A magnetic head includes a main pole, a trailing shield, a spin torque oscillator, first and second side shields, first and second gap films, and first and second guard films. The first gap film and the first guard film are interposed between the trailing shield and the first side shield. The second gap film and the second guard film are interposed between the trailing shield and the second side shield.
B density is necessary to provide a given amount of FGL magnetization flipping and there is reduced write bubble fringing compared with writers having a FGL with uniform MsT. Lower MsT is achieved by partially oxidizing FGL outer portions. In some embodiments, there is a gradient in outer FGL portions where MsT increases with increasing distance from FGL sidewalls.
A PMR (perpendicular magnetic recording) write head configured for thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) and microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) is made adaptive to writing at different frequencies by inserting thin layers of magnetic material into the material filling the side gaps (SG) between the magnetic pole (MP) and the side shields (SS). At high frequencies, the thin magnetic layers saturate and lower the magnetic potential of the bulky side shields.
2, and thermal stability to 400° C. is realized. The FL comprises two or more sub-layers, and the MIS layer may be formed within at least one sub-layer or between sub-layers. The buffer layer is used to prevent oxygen diffusion to the NL, and nitrogen diffusion from the NL to the FL. FL thickness is from 11 Angstroms to 25 Angstroms while MIS layer thickness is preferably from 0.5 Angstroms to 4 Angstroms.
G11C 11/16 - Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elementsStorage elements therefor using magnetic elements using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
H01L 27/22 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate using similar magnetic field effects
H01L 43/04 - Devices using galvano-magnetic or similar magnetic effects; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof - Details of Hall-effect devices
H01L 43/14 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof for Hall-effect devices
H01L 43/12 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
A read head includes a permanent magnet (PM) layer formed up to 100 nm behind a free layer where PM layer magnetization may be initialized in a direction that adjusts free layer (FL) bias point, and shifts sensor asymmetry (Asym) closer to 0% for individual heads at slider or Head Gimbal Assembly level to provide a significant improvement in device yield. Asym is adjusted using different initialization schemes and initialization directions. With individual heads, initialization direction is selected based on a prior measurement of asymmetry. The PM layer is CoPt or CoCrPt and has coercivity from 500 Oersted to 1000 Oersted. The PM layer may have a width equal to the FL, or a width equal to the cross-track distance between outer sides of the longitudinal bias layers. In another embodiment, the PM layer adjoins a backside of the top shield.
A plasmon generator (PG) is formed between a waveguide and main pole, and has a front portion (Au/Rh bilayer) wherein the upper Rh layer has a peg shape at an air bearing surface (ABS), and a tapered backside that is separated from a PG back portion by a dielectric spacer. The lower Au layer has a front side recessed from the ABS and curved sides self-aligned with the Rh layer sides. A key feature is that the back section of lower Au layer curved side forms a smaller angle with a plane aligned orthogonal to the ABS than a front section thereof thereby selectively enabling a deformation of the back end of the Au layer during a heat treatment to >300° C. at the wafer level. Accordingly, the front end of the lower Au layer is densified and provides an improved heat sink to improve reliability and area density capability (ADC).
G11B 11/105 - Recording on, or reproducing from, the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods or means are covered by different main groups of groups or by different subgroups of group Record carriers therefor using recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation using a beam of light or a magnetic field for recording and a beam of light for reproducing, e.g. light-induced thermomagnetic recording or Kerr effect reproducing
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/012 - Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic disks
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
A read head is disclosed wherein a Spin Hall Effect (SHE) layer is formed on a free layer (FL) in a sensor and between the FL and top shield (S2). Preferably, the sensor has a seed layer, an AP2 reference layer, antiferromagnetic coupling layer, AP1 reference layer, and a tunnel barrier sequentially formed on a bottom shield (S1). In a three terminal configuration, a first current flows between S1 and S2 such that the AP1 reference layer produces a first spin torque on the FL, and a second current flows across the SHE layer thereby generating a second spin torque on the FL that opposes the first spin torque. When the stripe heights of the FL and SHE layer are equal, a two terminal configuration is employed where a current flows between one side of the SHE layer to a center portion thereof and then to S1, or vice versa.
A PMR, TAMR or MAMR (Perpendicular Magnetic Recording, Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording or Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording) slider-mounted read/write head produces less heat during operation by using magnetic read shields in which are embedded a patterned layer of thermally absorbing material. At least one shield includes a heating coil which is used to adjust the fly-height of the slider by creating a thermal protrusion at the slider ABS. When additional sources of energy, such as laser heating, microwave heating or the write coil itself, are applied to the recording medium, the shields can overheat, adversely affecting their performance. The patterned layer of heat absorbing material reduces the flow of heat from the thermal heating coil to the air bearing surface (ABS) thus cooling the region around the write head while not adversely affecting the shape of the thermal protrusion.
A magnetic head includes a medium facing surface, a main pole, a trailing shield, and a spin torque oscillator. A bottom surface of the trailing shield includes a first portion that includes an end located in the medium facing surface and is in contact with the spin torque oscillator at least in part. An element height that is a dimension of the spin torque oscillator in a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface and a writer height that is a dimension of the first portion in the direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface are different from each other.
B density is necessary to provide a given amount of FGL magnetization flipping and there is reduced write bubble fringing compared with writers having a FGL with uniform MsT. Lower MsT is achieved by partially oxidizing FGL outer portions. In some embodiments, there is a gradient in outer FGL portions where MsT increases with increasing distance from FGL sidewalls.
A spin injection assisted magnetic recording structure is disclosed wherein a ferromagnetic (FM) layer and at least one spin preservation (SP) layer are formed between a main pole (MP) trailing side and a write shield (WS). Current (Ia) flows between the MP and WS, or is injected into the FM layer. As a result, the spin polarized electrons from the FM layer, which flow across one or two SP layers to generate a magnetization that enhances one or both of a local WS magnetization and return field, and a local MP magnetization and write field, respectively. A lead to the FM layer may be stitched to enable lower resistance and improve reliability. The FM layer may be recessed from the ABS to allow more overlap with the SP layer for lower current density while maintaining performance. Higher linear density and area density capability, and better reliability are achieved.
2, for example, with a dielectric constant >10. As a result, the writer behaves like a 1+1T writer at lw frequencies substantially below 1 GHz, as a 1+0.xT writer at lw frequencies proximate to 1 GHz, and like a 1+0T writer in an overshoot region of the lw. Accordingly, better trailing shield field gradient, signal-to-noise ratio, and bit error rate during high frequency operation are achieved without compromising saturation speed and adjacent track interference for an overall improvement in performance.
A PMR (perpendicular magnetic recording) write head is configured for measurements at the slider level and wafer-level processing stages that will allow a determination of the pole width at a position A (PWA) using the results of a resistance measurement between a main pole (MP) and surrounding write shields (WS) with a layer of conductor in the write gap and a layer of insulating material replacing the side gaps. Knowledge of an accurate value of PWA allows adjustments to be made in the processing of sliders on each rowbar which, in turn improves the capability of delivering the desired statistical variation (sigma) in the distribution of erasure widths for AC signals (EWACS) in a given design which, in turn, gives better overall performance in hard disk drive (HDD) applications.
A slider-mounted read/write transducer for a hard disk drive (HDD) has a topology that mitigates attraction and accumulation of lubricant and hydrocarbons during the HDD operation. The slider topology may include a pattern of cavities and channels symmetrically disposed about a central longitudinal axis. The slider may also have a transverse channel extending perpendicularly inward from an opening in each side edge of the slider to intersect a channel that extends longitudinally along a middle axis towards a leading-edge pad in which a read/write transducer is embedded. The ends of the transverse channel open into an air-carrying groove extending vertically upward in the side of the slider in which a side flow blocker (SFB) restricts the air flow into the channel portion.
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 21/21 - Supporting the headsSupporting the sockets for plug-in heads while the head is in operative position but stationary or permitting minor movements to follow irregularities in surface of record carrier with provision for maintaining desired spacing of head from record carrier, e.g. fluid-dynamic spacing, slider
A magnetic head includes a medium facing surface, a main pole, a trailing shield, a spin torque oscillator, and a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is interposed between a portion of the main pole and a portion of the spin torque oscillator. The first insulating layer has a first end closest to the medium facing surface. The spin torque oscillator has a rear end farthest from the medium facing surface. The first end of the first insulating layer is located closer to the medium facing surface than the rear end of the spin torque oscillator is.
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/115 - Shielding device arranged between heads or windings
93.
Protective shields under touchdown conditions for thermally assisted perpendicular magnetic recording
A Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) head is configured for use in Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording (TAMR). Two or three contiguous write shields, of various widths and thicknesses, formed on a leading edge side of the write gap (WG), main pole (MP) and near-field transducer (NFT), protect the head during write touchdowns (TD) and signal the approach of such a touchdown. Moreover during a write touchdown the contact with the head is restricted to the large write shields, producing a large touchdown area (TDA) and insuring the lifetime of the head.
G11B 11/105 - Recording on, or reproducing from, the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods or means are covered by different main groups of groups or by different subgroups of group Record carriers therefor using recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation using a beam of light or a magnetic field for recording and a beam of light for reproducing, e.g. light-induced thermomagnetic recording or Kerr effect reproducing
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
94.
Perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer with tunable pole protrusion (TPP) designs for 2 terabytes/platter (TB/P) and beyond
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) writer is disclosed wherein an insulation layer is formed between a top yoke (TY) and an uppermost (PP3) trailing shield to electrically isolate the main pole (MP) from a trailing loop for magnetic flux return. One or both of a first non-magnetic (NM) metal layer and a second NM metal layer are formed between the MP tip and a hot seed layer and side shields, respectively, to form an electrical path that is in parallel to that of a dynamic fly height (DFH) heater circuit. MP tip protrusion is enhanced and writability is improved especially for track widths <40 nm, and is tunable by the volume of the first and second NM layer, and the composition of the NM metals. Existing writer pad layouts may be employed and there is no additional cost to PMR backend processes.
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
G11B 5/60 - Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/245 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features comprising means for controlling the reluctance of the magnetic circuit
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
G11B 5/127 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
95.
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a main pole and a plasmon generator
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a medium facing surface, a main pole, a waveguide, and a plasmon generator. The plasmon generator includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The first metal layer includes a plasmon exciting portion on which surface plasmons are excited. The second metal layer is located on the first metal layer, and includes a bottom surface in contact with the first metal layer, a top surface located on a side opposite to the bottom surface, a front end face that is located in the medium facing surface and generates near-field light from the surface plasmons, and a connecting surface that connects the top surface and the front end face. The connecting surface includes an inclined portion inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface.
A near-field light generator includes a plasmon generator including a plasmon exciting portion on which a surface plasmon is excited, and a near-field transducer including a front end face that generates near-field light from the surface plasmon. The near-field transducer is formed of a first metal material. The plasmon generator includes a first portion formed of the first metal material and a second portion formed of a second metal material. The first portion is in contact with the near-field transducer. The second portion includes at least part of the plasmon exciting portion.
G11B 5/39 - Structure or manufacture of flux-sensitive heads using magneto-resistive devices
G11B 5/48 - Disposition or mounting of heads relative to record carriers
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
97.
RhIr alloy near-field transducer with Rh template layer in a thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) application
A near field transducer (NFT) with an upper RhIr layer having an Ir content from 20-80 atomic % and a lower Au layer is formed between a waveguide and main pole at an air bearing surface (ABS). The RhIr layer has a rod-like front portion (peg) up to height h1, and a substantially triangular shaped back portion (body) from h1 to height h2. In some embodiments, there is a Rh underlayer with a thickness from 10 Angstroms to 200 Angstroms between the upper and lower NFT layers, and extending from the ABS to h2 so that the RhIr layer has a substantially uniform microcrystalline structure throughout to prevent thermally induced rupture defects proximate to h1. Optionally, the Rh underlayer may have a front side at h1, and may further comprise a lower Al or Zr adhesion layer. Accordingly, there is improved device reliability.
G11B 13/08 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
98.
Spin torque reversal assisted magnetic recording (STRAMR) device having a width substantially equal to that of a traililng shield
A spin transfer torque reversal assisted magnetic recording (STRAMR) device is disclosed wherein a flux change layer (FCL) is formed between a main pole (MP) trailing side and a trailing shield (TS). The FCL has a magnetization that flips to a direction substantially opposing the write gap magnetic field when a direct current (DC) of sufficient current density is applied across the STRAMR device thereby increasing reluctance in the WG and producing a larger write field output at the air bearing surface. Heat transfer in the STRAMR device is enhanced and production cost is reduced by enlarging the STRAMR width to be essentially equal to that of the TS, and where the TS and STRAMR widths are formed using the same process steps. Bias voltage is used to control the extent of FCL flipping to a center portion to optimize the gain in area density capability in the recording system.
G11B 5/31 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin film
G11B 5/11 - Shielding of head against electric or magnetic fields
G11B 13/04 - Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods or means covered by different main groupsRecord carriers thereforReproducing simultaneously or selectively therefrom magnetically and optically
G11B 5/127 - Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
G11B 5/187 - Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to, the recording mediumPole piecesGap features
G11B 5/00 - Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrierReproducing by magnetic meansRecord carriers therefor
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is disclosed wherein a nitride diffusion barrier (NDB) has a L2/L1/NL or NL/L1/L2 configuration wherein NL is a metal nitride or metal oxynitride layer, L2 blocks oxygen diffusion from an adjoining Hk enhancing layer, and L1 prevents nitrogen diffusion from NL to the free layer (FL) thereby enhancing magnetoresistive ratio and FL thermal stability, and minimizing resistance x area product for the MTJ. NL is the uppermost layer in a bottom spin valve configuration, or is formed on a seed layer in a top spin valve configuration such that L2 and L1 are always between NL and the FL or pinned layer, respectively. In other embodiments, one or both of L1 and L2 are partially oxidized. Moreover, either L2 or L1 may be omitted when the other of L1 and L2 is partially oxidized. A spacer between the FL and L2 is optional.
H01F 10/32 - Spin-exchange-coupled multilayers, e.g. nanostructured superlattices
H01F 41/34 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for applying conductive, insulating or magnetic material on a magnetic film in patterns, e.g. by lithography
A preamplifier that that is configured for optimizing the write current waveform to achieve the best areal density capability (ADC) and adjacent track interference (ATI) performance of a magnetic recording disk drive. The preamplifier is configured for providing a magnetic head write current with a main pole relaxation zone for providing a buffer zone for main pole relaxation from saturation state to a remanence state before writing the next bit. The preamplifier is further configured for providing a magnetic head write current with a reference main pole relaxation current located at an end region data of each bit. The length of the reference main pole relaxation current is a function of the bit length, frequency, recording velocity, and writer/media switching speed.
patents
