An Integrated Head for Optically Assisted (Hybrid) Magnetic Recording

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT for Proposal No. ECS-0115836 Hybrid recording is a new recording paradigm that seeks to overcome fundamental physical limits of existing magnetic and optical recording technologies. Hybridization combines thermally assisted magnetic writing with giant magnetoresistive readback, to circumvent the physical limits of both magnetic and optical recording. This approach breaks the coupling seen in magnetic recording systems among the size of a bit, the field required to write it and the length of time for which the information is stable. Thus, magnetic grains in the medium smaller than 10 nm can be stabilized, which is a critical advance for reaching densities of 1 terabit/in2 and beyond. These advances will only be possible, however, if a plausible head design is demonstrated that integrates magnetic write poles with a localized source (probably optical) of thermal energy. An essential insight being pursued for this technology is how to apply magnetic write fields and heat, as well as perform MR readback with a single packaged device from a single side of the disk. It is the goal of this project to design, prototype, and test devices suitable for this application. Specific novel devices that will be investigated will include two-dimensional mode-index lenses, and near-field optical antenna structures. The Data Storage Systems Center (DSSC) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and GOALI collaborator, Seagate Technology, has extensive experience in the design and implementation of new head designs. The collaboration on head fabrication will include a program of co-design with Seagate researchers, joint wafer fabrication, and post-fabrication modification of existing heads. It is anticipated that the result of this academic-industrial collaboration will be a demonstration of a plausible integrated head design for hybrid recording, which will remove an important barrier to the advancement and eventual commercialization of this technology.