Data storage apparatus including optically active nano-patterned media and electric field assisted recording method
View Patent ↗An apparatus comprises a data storage medium including a magnetic recording element and an optically active material positioned adjacent to the magnetic recording element, an electric field source for applying an electric field to a portion of the data storage medium, a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the data storage medium, and a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the portion of the data storage medium.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a data storage medium including a magnetic recording element and an optically active material positioned adjacent to the magnetic recording element;
an electric field source to apply an electric field to a portion of the data storage medium to increase light absorption of a portion of the optically active material;
a source of electromagnetic radiation to irradiate the portion of the optically active material and raise the temperature of the magnetic recording element; and
a magnetic field source to apply a magnetic field to the portion of the data storage medium.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the data storage medium includes additional magnetic recording elements and each of the magnetic recording elements comprises a dot of magnetic material; and
the optically active material is positioned adjacent to the dots of magnetic material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic recording element comprises:
an island embedded in the optically active material, the island including a layer of a first magnetic material and a layer of a second magnetic material, wherein the first and second magnetic materials have different Curie temperatures.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein properties of the first and second magnetic materials, including uniaxial anisotropy constant, magnetic saturation, and/or thickness are adjusted to maximize switching field reduction per degree of temperature rise.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electric field source comprises:
an electrode; and
a voltage source connected between the electrode and the data storage medium.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optically active material comprises:
a liquid crystal, CdTe, or an oxide.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage medium comprises:
a magnetically soft underlayer; and
a thermally conductive layer positioned between the magnetically soft underlayer and the magnetic recording element.
8. A method comprising:
providing a data storage medium including a magnetic recording element and an optically active material positioned adjacent to the magnetic recording element;
applying an electric field to a portion of the data storage medium to increase light absorption of a portion of the optically active material;
irradiating the portion of the optically active material to raise the temperature of the magnetic recording element; and
applying a magnetic field to the portion of the data storage medium.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the data storage medium includes additional magnetic recording elements and each of the magnetic recording elements comprises a dot of magnetic material; and
the optically active material is positioned adjacent to the dots of magnetic material.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic recording element comprises:
an island embedded in the optically active material, the island including a layer of a first magnetic material and a layer of a second magnetic material, wherein the first and second magnetic materials have different Curie temperatures.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein properties of the first and second magnetic materials, including uniaxial anisotropy constant, magnetic saturation, and/or thickness are adjusted to maximize switching field reduction per degree of temperature rise.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the electric field is applied using an electric field source comprising:
an electrode; and
a voltage source connected between the electrode and the data storage medium.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the optically active material comprises:
a liquid crystal, CdTe, or an oxide.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the storage medium comprises:
a magnetically soft underlayer; and
a thermally conductive layer positioned between the magnetically soft underlayer and the magnetic recording elements.