Current status and outlook of magnetic data storage devices

Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Tunneling magnetoresistive devices as read heads in hard disk drives

Bor-Yuan Jiang et al.

Summary: Hard Disk Drive read heads switched from GMR to TMR technology to improve signal-to-noise ratio for advanced linear densities. The use of crystalline MgO barriers matched to BCC magnetic layers increased the MR ratios. Enhanced side shielding and reduced shield spacing further improved the track and linear density capabilities of TMR heads. Introduction of two-dimensional recording heads boosted head SNR, but overcoming spin torque noise remains a challenge. Magnetic thermal noise can only be overcome by increasing the moment of the free layer, potentially setting the final density achievable by TMR heads.

JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS (2023)

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Review Engineering, Electrical & Electronic

Revisiting NASA space shuttle challenger magnetic-tape data recovery investigation

Bharat Bhushan

Summary: After a gap of 50 years, NASA is planning to resume manned missions to the moon and beyond with the Artemis program and the Orion spacecraft. The investigation into the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger accident involving magnetic tape data recorders and the recovery of damaged tapes provide important lessons for future missions. An interdisciplinary team from IBM successfully developed a methodology to unwind and replicate the damaged tapes, revealing that the astronauts were conscious for 73 seconds after takeoff and their last words were "Uh-Oh."

MICROSYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES-MICRO-AND NANOSYSTEMS-INFORMATION STORAGE AND PROCESSING SYSTEMS (2023)

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Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Helium sealed hard disk drive

Akihiko Aoyagi et al.

Summary: This paper describes the history and advantages of helium-sealed HDDs, and discusses the future prospects of sealed-drive technology.

JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) and Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR)

Roger Wood

Summary: Data areal-density is a key metric in magnetic recording, influencing capacity and cost. As the growth rate of areal densities slowed down, other approaches such as increasing disk quantity and improving physical recording processes were explored. Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) and Two Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR) were two important innovations that aimed to improve data storage efficiency.

JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Engineering, Chemical