Local extension of head overcoat with a near-field transducer extending toward the media-facing surface
A HAMR data storage device may include a magnetic media and a slider comprising: a main pole, a waveguide, and a near-field transducer (NFT) situated between the main pole and the waveguide, wherein an air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider comprises a transparent overcoat layer situated over the main pole, the waveguide, and the NFT, and wherein the transparent overcoat layer has a particular thickness such that, during an operational phase of the HAMR data storage device, a gap between a media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media is less than about 0.5 nm.
1. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) data storage device, the HAMR data storage device comprising:
a magnetic media; and
a slider comprising:
a main pole;
a waveguide; and
a near-field transducer (NFT) situated between the main pole and the waveguide,
wherein an air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider comprises a transparent overcoat layer situated over the main pole, the waveguide, and the NFT, and
wherein the transparent overcoat layer has a particular thickness such that, during an operational phase of the HAMR data storage device, a gap between a media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media is less than about 0.5 nm.
2. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 1 , wherein the particular thickness of the transparent overcoat layer is between about 0.5 nm and about 3 nm.
3. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 1 , wherein the slider further comprises a read head.
4. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 3 , wherein the ABS of the slider further comprises a protective layer over the read head.
5. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 4 , wherein the protective layer comprises diamond-like carbon (DLC).
6. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 4 , wherein a thickness of the protective layer is less than the particular thickness of the transparent overcoat layer.
7. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 6 , wherein the particular thickness of the transparent overcoat layer is between about 0.5 nm and about 3 nm.
8. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 6 , wherein a difference between the particular thickness of the transparent overcoat layer and the thickness of the protective layer is between approximately 0.1 nm and approximately 5 nm.
9. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 1 , wherein the gap between the media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media is greater than zero.
10. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 1 , wherein the transparent overcoat layer consists essentially of silicon nitride.
11. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to execute one or more machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
detect or estimate the gap between the media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media; and
adjust or set a fly height of the slider based at least in part on the gap between the media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media.
12. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) data storage device, the HAMR data storage device comprising:
a magnetic media;
a slider comprising:
a write head, and
a transparent overcoat layer situated over the write head, the transparent overcoat layer having a selected thickness; and
a processor configured to execute one or more machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the slider to fly over the magnetic media at a fly height that substantially eliminates smear buildup between a media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media,
wherein the selected thickness of the transparent overcoat layer is between about 0.5 nm and about 3 nm.
13. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 12 , wherein the slider further comprises a read head.
14. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 13 , wherein the slider further comprises a protective layer over the read head.
15. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 14 , wherein the protective layer comprises diamond-like carbon (DLC).
16. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 14 , wherein a thickness of the protective layer is less than the selected thickness of the transparent overcoat layer.
17. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 16 , wherein a difference between the selected thickness of the transparent overcoat layer and the thickness of the protective layer is between approximately 0.1 nm and approximately 5 nm.
18. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 12 , wherein a gap between the media-facing surface of the transparent overcoat layer and the magnetic media is greater than zero.
19. The HAMR data storage device recited in claim 12 , wherein the transparent overcoat layer consists essentially of silicon nitride.