Thermally induced stability issues of head-disk interface in heat-assisted magnetic recording systems

It is widely assumed that heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology can further push magnetic recording technology to and beyond 1 Tb/in(2) in area density. However, one of the major concerns of HAMR technology is the robustness and long-term stability of its head-disk interface. In this paper, we report our efforts in answering the uncertainties of head-disk interface design and stability of HAMR systems. The investigations focuses on (a) heating-induced pressure change by air and evaporation and its possible effects to a slider's flying stability (b) a laser-induced slider's thermal protrusion and its effects to the slider's flying stability. Results suggest that, among the factors under consideration, the thermal protrusion effects are much more severe. Possible solutions on how to reduce such effects are also discussed.