Bonding agent for heat-assisted magnetic recording and method of application
Magnetic write heads for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) are disclosed that include a laser diode having a light emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider, an optical waveguide, and a printed bonding agent disposed in an air gap between the laser diode and the slider. The printed bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing. Also included is a method that includes attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head and depositing a bonding agent into the air gap using a focused stream of bonding agent. A light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide. The light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction and an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction. The bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.
1. A magnetic write head comprising:
a laser diode having a light-emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider;
an optical waveguide; and
a printed bonding agent disposed on at least one corner between the laser diode and the slider, wherein the printed bonding agent fills an air gap therebetween.
2. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the printed bonding agent is applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.
3. A magnetic write head according to claim 2 , wherein the printed bonding agent is applied by aerosol jet printing.
4. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the laser diode, optical waveguide, and bonding agent are components of a laser-on-slider device.
5. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the laser diode, optical waveguide, and bonding agent are components of a laser-in-slider device.
6. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a dielectric or adhesive.
7. A magnetic write head according to claim 6 , wherein the bonding agent has an average transmission of about 90% or greater at wavelengths emitted by the laser diode.
8. A magnetic write head according to claim 7 , wherein the bonding agent comprises inorganic nanoparticles.
9. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a polyimide polymer.
10. A magnetic write head according to claim 9 , wherein the polyimide polymer is fluorinated.
11. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the air gap has dimensions that range from between about 0.25 μm and about 1.0 μm.
12. A magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the air gap has an aspect ratio of between about 5 and about 6.
13. A method comprising:
attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head, wherein a light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide, wherein the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction, and wherein an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction; and
depositing a focused stream of bonding agent on at least one corner between the laser diode and the slider after the attachment, wherein the bonding agent fills the air gap therebetween.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the focused stream is focused aerodynamically.
15. A method according to claim 13 , wherein after depositing the bonding agent, the laser diode is optically coupled to the optical waveguide coupler through the bonding agent.
16. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the aerodynamically focused stream of bonding agent is deposited through an aerosol jet dispenser.
17. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the bonding agent is surrounded by a sheath gas.
18. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the aerodynamically focused stream of bonding agent comprises droplets with diameters of between about 1 μm and 5 μm.
19. A method according to claim 13 , wherein aerodynamically focused stream of bonding agent is dispensed at an angle of about 45 degrees from the aligned direction.
20. A method according to claim 13 , further comprising curing the bonding agent.