Exchange break layer for heat-assisted magnetic recording media
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium having improved signal-to-noise ratio capabilities includes a high-temperature exchange break layer (EBL) inserted between magnetic recording layers, where the high-temperature exchange break layer material is capable of maintaining its chemical properties at temperatures exceeding 300° C. The high-temperature EBL may include a non-metallic compound including at least one of an oxide, a carbide, and a nitride.
1. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium comprising:
a substrate;
a heat sink layer over said substrate;
a first magnetic recording layer over said heat sink layer;
a high-temperature exchange break layer over said first magnetic recording layer, said high-temperature exchange break layer capable of maintaining its chemical properties at temperatures exceeding 300° C.; and
a second magnetic recording layer over said exchange break layer.
2. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises a non-metallic compound including at least one of an oxide, a carbide, and a nitride.
3. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises a compound that can withstand a temperature exceeding around 400° C. without substantial diffusion into said first and second magnetic recording layers.
4. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said first and second magnetic recording layers each comprise an L1 0 phase FePt compound.
5. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers are configured to increase the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to said recording medium.
6. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers are configured to decrease the jitter corresponding to said recording medium.
7. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers are configured to decrease the surface roughness corresponding to said recording medium.
8. The HAMR medium of claim 1 , comprising:
an adhesion layer over said substrate;
at least one intermediate layer over said adhesion layer, said intermediate layer including said heat sink layer, wherein said adhesion layer and said intermediate layer are below said first and second magnetic recording layers;
an overcoat layer over and adjacent to said second magnetic recording layer; and
a lubricant layer over said overcoat layer.
9. A data storage device comprising:
a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk medium rotatably mounted on a spindle, said HAMR disk medium comprising:
a substrate,
a heat sink layer over said substrate,
a first magnetic recording layer over said heat sink layer,
a high-temperature exchange break layer over said first magnetic recording layer, said high-temperature exchange break layer capable of maintaining its chemical properties at temperatures exceeding 300° C., and
a second magnetic recording layer over said exchange break layer;
a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head slider comprising a magnetic write head configured to write to said HAMR disk medium;
a heat source coupled with said HAMR head slider; and
a voice coil motor configured to move said HAMR head slider to access portions of said HAMR disk medium.
10. The data storage device of claim 9 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises a non-metallic compound including at least one of an oxide, a carbide, and a nitride.
11. The data storage device of claim 9 , wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises a compound that can withstand a temperature exceeding around 400° C. without substantial diffusion into said first and second magnetic recording layers.
12. The data storage device of claim 9 , wherein said first and second magnetic recording layers of said HAMR disk medium each comprise an L1 0 phase FePt compound.
13. A method of manufacturing a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium, the method comprising:
forming a heat sink layer over a substrate;
forming a first magnetic recording layer over said heat sink layer;
forming a high-temperature exchange break layer over said first magnetic recording layer, said high-temperature exchange break layer capable of maintaining its chemical properties at temperatures exceeding 300° C.; and
forming a second magnetic recording layer over said exchange break layer;
wherein said high-temperature exchange break layer is formed separating said first magnetic recording layer from said second magnetic recording layer to affect the extent of exchange coupling between said first magnetic recording layer and said second magnetic recording layer.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises forming a non-metallic exchange break layer including at least one of an oxide, a carbide, and a nitride.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said high-temperature exchange break layer comprises forming an exchange break layer that can withstand a temperature exceeding around 400° C. without substantial diffusion into said first and second magnetic recording layers.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said first and second magnetic recording layers comprises forming said first magnetic recording layer comprising an L1 0 phase FePt compound at a temperature exceeding around 400° C. and forming said second magnetic recording layer comprising an L1 0 phase FePt compound at a temperature exceeding around 400° C.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said high-temperature exchange break layer, said first magnetic recording layer, and said second magnetic recording layer comprises forming said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers that increase the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to said recording medium as compared to a recording medium without said high-temperature exchange break layer.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said high-temperature exchange break layer, said first magnetic recording layer, and said second magnetic recording layer comprises forming said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers that decrease the jitter corresponding to said recording medium as compared to a recording medium without said high-temperature exchange break layer.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming said high-temperature exchange break layer, said first magnetic recording layer, and said second magnetic recording layer comprises forming said high-temperature exchange break layer and said first and second magnetic recording layers that decrease the surface roughness corresponding to said recording medium as compared to a recording medium without said high-temperature exchange break layer.