U.S. patent application number 14/494559 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for negative-poralization spin-torque-oscillator.
This patent application is currently assigned to HGST Netherlands B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is HGST Netherlands B.V.. Invention is credited to Masukazu IGARASHI, Keiichi NAGASAKA, Susumu OKAMURA, Masashige SATO, Yo SATO, Masato SHIIMOTO.
Application Number | 20160086623 14/494559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54544661 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160086623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAGASAKA; Keiichi ; et
al. |
March 24, 2016 |
NEGATIVE-PORALIZATION SPIN-TORQUE-OSCILLATOR
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a MAMR head.
The MAMR head includes an STO. The STO has a first magnetic layer,
a second magnetic layer and an interlayer disposed between the
first and second magnetic layers. One of the first and second
magnetic layers is made of a negative polarization material while
the other magnetic layer is made of a positive polarization
material. As a result, the magnetizations in the first and second
magnetic layers are in the same direction when in oscillation,
which suppresses the partial cancellation of the magnetizations in
the first and second magnetic layers and strengthens the AC
magnetic field.
Inventors: |
NAGASAKA; Keiichi; (Isehara,
JP) ; SATO; Yo; (Odawara-Shi, JP) ; SHIIMOTO;
Masato; (Odawara, JP) ; SATO; Masashige;
(Atsugi-Shi, JP) ; IGARASHI; Masukazu; (Kawagoe,
JP) ; OKAMURA; Susumu; (Fujisawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HGST Netherlands B.V. |
Amsterdam |
|
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
HGST Netherlands B.V.
|
Family ID: |
54544661 |
Appl. No.: |
14/494559 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/125.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 2005/0024 20130101;
G11B 5/3146 20130101; G11B 5/235 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/31 20060101
G11B005/31 |
Claims
1. A spin torque oscillator, comprising: a first magnetic layer,
wherein the first magnetic layer comprises a negative polarization
material; a second magnetic layer, wherein the second magnetic
layer comprises a positive polarization material; a third magnetic
layer, wherein the third magnetic layer comprises a negative
polarization material; a first interlayer disposed between the
first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and a second
interlayer disposed between the second magnetic layer and the third
magnetic layer.
2. The spin torque oscillator of claim 1, further comprising an
underlayer and a cap layer.
3. The spin torque oscillator of claim 2, wherein the first
magnetic layer is a spin polarization layer, the second magnetic
layer is a field generation layer, and the third magnetic layer is
a spin polarization layer, and wherein the cap layer is disposed
over the second third magnetic layer, the third magnetic layer is
disposed over the second interlayer, the second interlayer is
disposed over the second magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer
is disposed over the first interlayer, the first interlayer is
disposed over the first magnetic layer, and the first magnetic
layer is disposed over the underlayer.
4. (canceled)
5. The spin torque oscillator of claim 1, wherein the negative
polarization material comprises a material selected from the group
consisting of: FeCr having five to thirty five atomic percent of
Cr; CoCr having five to twenty five atomic percent of Cr; NiCr
having five to ten atomic percent of Cr; FeV having ten to twenty
give atomic percent of V; CoMn having five to ten atomic percent of
Mn; and any magnetic material containing FeCr, CoCr, NiCr, FeV, or
CoMn.
6. The spin torque oscillator of claim 1, wherein the positive
polarization material comprises a material selected from the group
consisting of Fe, Co, Ni and alloys thereof.
7. The spin torque oscillator of claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the first interlayer adjacent the first magnetic layer
comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Cr and
alloys thereof.
8-11. (canceled)
12. A microwave assisted magnetic recording system, comprising: a
spin torque oscillator, wherein the spin torque oscillator
comprises: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; a third
magnetic layer; a first interlayer disposed between the first
magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer; and a second
interlayer disposed between the second magnetic layer and the third
magnetic layer, wherein two of the first, second and third magnetic
layers comprises a negative polarization material and one of the
first, second, and third magnetic layers comprises a positive
polarization material.
13. The microwave assisted magnetic recording system of claim 12,
wherein the spin torque oscillator further comprises an underlayer
and a cap layer.
14. The microwave assisted magnetic recording system of claim 13,
wherein the cap layer is disposed over the third magnetic layer,
the third magnetic layer is disposed over the second interlayer,
the second interlayer is disposed over the second magnetic layer,
the second magnetic layer is disposed over the first interlayer,
the first interlayer is disposed over the first magnetic layer, and
the first magnetic layer is disposed over the underlayer.
15. (canceled)
16. The microwave assisted magnetic recording system of claim 14,
wherein the first magnetic layer is a spin polarization layer and
comprises a positive polarization material, the second magnetic
layer is a field generation layer and comprises a negative
polarization material, and the third magnetic layer is a field
generation layer and comprises a negative polarization
material.
17-18. (canceled)
19. A hard disk drive, comprising: a magnetic media; a magnetic
read head; and a magnetic write head, wherein the magnetic write
head comprises a spin torque oscillator, wherein the spin torque
oscillator comprises: a first magnetic layer, wherein the first
magnetic layer comprises a negative polarization material; a second
magnetic layer, wherein the second magnetic layer comprises a
positive polarization material; a third magnetic layer; a first
interlayer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second
magnetic layer; and a second interlayer disposed between the second
magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer, wherein two of the
first, second and third magnetic layers comprises a negative
polarization material and one of the first, second, and third
magnetic layers comprises a positive polarization material.
20. The hard disk drive of claim 19, wherein the spin torque
oscillator further comprises an underlayer and a cap layer.
21-23. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a magnetic
disk device employing a microwave assisted magnetic recording
head.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Over the past few years, microwave assisted magnetic
recording (MAMR) has been studied as a recording method to improve
the areal density of a magnetic read/write device, such as a hard
disk drive (HDD). MAMR enabled magnetic recording heads utilize a
spin torque oscillator (STO) for generating a microwave (high
frequency AC magnetic field). When the magnetic field from the
write head is applied and current is conducted to the STO, the STO
oscillates and may provide an AC magnetic field to the recording
medium. The AC magnetic field may reduce the coercive force of the
recording medium, thus high quality recording by MAMR may be
achieved. Typically the STO includes a spin polarization layer
(SPL), a field generation layer (FGL) and an interlayer disposed
between the SPL and the FGL. The STO generates high frequency
magnetic fields, or microwaves, as a result of the transfer of spin
torque from the SPL through the interlayer to the FGL, and the
in-plane high speed rotation of the magnetization of the FGL serves
as the in-plane free layer.
[0005] In some designs, the magnetization direction in the SPL is
perpendicular to the magnetization direction in the FGL, also known
as the T-mode oscillation mode. The T-mode oscillation utilizes
reflect torque, which has low efficiency. In other designs, the
magnetization direction in the SPL is anti-parallel to the
magnetization direction in the FGL, also known as the AF-mode
oscillation mode. Anti-parallel means that the magnetization
directions in the SPL and the FGL are parallel but in opposite
directions. AF-mode oscillation utilizes both reflect torque and
direct torque so oscillation with small bias current can be
obtained. However, anti-parallel magnetization directions may
partially cancel the magnetizations in the SPL and FGL, leading to
weak AC magnetic field. Therefore, there is a need in the art for
an improved recording head for MAMR.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a MAMR
head. The MAMR head includes an STO. The STO has a first magnetic
layer, a second magnetic layer and an interlayer disposed between
the first and second magnetic layers. One of the first and second
magnetic layers is made of a negative polarization material while
the other magnetic layer is made of a positive polarization
material. As a result, the magnetizations in the first and second
magnetic layers are in the same direction, which suppresses the
partial cancellation of the magnetizations in the first and second
magnetic layers and strengthens the AC magnetic field.
[0007] In one embodiment, an STO is disclosed. The STO includes a
first magnetic layer, and the first magnetic layer includes a
negative polarization material. The STO further includes a second
magnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer includes a positive
polarization material. The STO further includes a first interlayer
disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic
layer.
[0008] In another embodiment, a MAMR system is disclosed. The MAMR
system includes an STO, and the STO includes a first magnetic
layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first interlayer disposed
between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. One
of the first and second magnetic layers includes a negative
polarization material and one of the first and second magnetic
layers includes a positive polarization material.
[0009] In another embodiment, a hard disk drive is disclosed. The
hard disk drive includes a magnetic media, a magnetic read head,
and a magnetic write head. The magnetic write head includes an STO,
and the STO includes a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic
layer includes a negative polarization material. The STO further
includes a second magnetic layer, and the second magnetic layer
includes a positive polarization material. The STO further includes
a first interlayer disposed between the first magnetic layer and
the second magnetic layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features can
be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to
embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments in any
field involving magnetic sensors.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a disk drive system, according to
embodiments described herein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a MAMR read/write head
and magnetic disk of the disk drive system of FIG. 1, according to
embodiments described herein.
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3B are media facing surface views of an STO
according to embodiments described herein.
[0014] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements
that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements
disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other
embodiments without specific recitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following, reference is made to embodiments. However,
it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to
specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the
following features and elements, whether related to different
embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the
disclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure may
achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the
prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a
given embodiment is not limiting of the disclosure. Thus, the
following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely
illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the
appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).
[0016] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a MAMR
head. The MAMR head includes an STO. The STO has a first magnetic
layer, a second magnetic layer and an interlayer disposed between
the first and second magnetic layers. One of the first and second
magnetic layers is made of a negative polarization material while
the other magnetic layer is made of a positive polarization
material. As a result, the magnetizations in the first and second
magnetic layers are in the same direction, which suppresses the
partial cancellation of the magnetizations in the first and second
magnetic layers and strengthens the AC magnetic field.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a disk drive 100 according to embodiments
described herein. As shown, at least one rotatable magnetic media,
such as a magnetic disk 112, is supported on a spindle 114 and
rotated by a disk drive motor 118. The magnetic recording on each
disk is in the form of annular patterns of concentric data tracks
(not shown) on the magnetic disk 112.
[0018] At least one slider 113 is positioned near the magnetic disk
112, each slider 113 supporting one or more magnetic head
assemblies 121 that may include an STO for applying an AC magnetic
field to the disk surface 122. As the magnetic disk rotates, the
slider 113 moves radially in and out over the disk surface 122 so
that the magnetic head assembly 121 may access different tracks of
the magnetic disk 112 where desired data are written. Each slider
113 is attached to an actuator arm 119 by way of a suspension 115.
The suspension 115 provides a slight spring force which biases the
slider 113 toward the disk surface 122. Each actuator arm 119 is
attached to an actuator means 127. The actuator means 127 as shown
in FIG. 1 may be a voice coil motor (VCM). The VCM comprises a coil
movable within a fixed magnetic field, the direction and speed of
the coil movements being controlled by the motor current signals
supplied by control unit 129.
[0019] During operation of the MAMR enabled disk drive 100, the
rotation of the magnetic disk 112 generates an air bearing between
the slider 113 and the disk surface 122 which exerts an upward
force or lift on the slider 113. The air bearing thus
counter-balances the slight spring force of suspension 115 and
supports slider 113 off and slightly above the disk 112 surface by
a small, substantially constant spacing during normal operation.
The AC magnetic field generated from the magnetic head assembly 121
lowers the coercivity of the high-coercivity media so that the
write elements of the magnetic head assemblies 121 may correctly
magnetize the data bits in the media.
[0020] The various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled
in operation by control signals generated by control unit 129, such
as access control signals and internal clock signals. Typically,
the control unit 129 comprises logic control circuits, storage
means and a microprocessor. The control unit 129 generates control
signals to control various system operations such as drive motor
control signals on line 123 and head position and seek control
signals on line 128. The control signals on line 128 provide the
desired current profiles to optimally move and position slider 113
to the desired data track on disk 112. Write and read signals are
communicated to and from write and read heads on the assembly 121
by way of recording channel 125.
[0021] The above description of a typical magnetic disk storage
system and the accompanying illustration of FIG. 1 are for
representation purposes only. It should be apparent that disk
storage systems may contain a large number of disks and actuators,
and each actuator may support a number of sliders.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a fragmented, cross sectional side view through
the center of a MAMR read/write head 200 facing a magnetic disk
202. The read/write head 200 and magnetic disk 202 may correspond
to the magnetic head assembly 121 and magnetic disk 112,
respectively in FIG. 1. The read/write head 200 includes a media
facing surface (MFS) 212, such as an ABS, a magnetic write head 210
and a magnetic read head 211, and is mounted such that the MFS 212
is facing the magnetic disk 202. In FIG. 2, the disk 202 moves past
the write head 210 in the direction indicated by the arrow 232 and
the read/write head 200 moves in the direction indicated by the
arrow 234.
[0023] In some embodiments, the magnetic read head 211 is a
magnetoresistive (MR) read head that includes an MR sensing element
204 located between MR shields S1 and S2. In other embodiments, the
magnetic read head 211 is a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) read
head that includes a MTJ sensing device 204 located between MR
shields Si and S2. The magnetic fields of the adjacent magnetized
regions in the magnetic disk 202 are detectable by the MR (or MTJ)
sensing element 204 as the recorded bits.
[0024] The write head 210 includes a return pole 206, a main pole
220, a trailing shield 240, an STO 230 disposed between the main
pole 220 and the trailing shield 240, and a coil 218 that excites
the main pole 220. A recording magnetic field is generated from the
main pole 220 and the trailing shield 240 helps making the magnetic
field gradient of the main pole 220 steep. The main pole 220 may be
a magnetic material such as a CoFe alloy. In one embodiment, the
main pole 220 has a saturated magnetization (Ms) of 2.4 T and a
thickness of about 300 nanometers (nm). The trailing shield 240 may
be a magnetic material such as NiFe alloy. In one embodiment, the
trailing shield 240 has an Ms of about 1.2 T.
[0025] The main pole 220, the trailing shield 240 and the STO 230
all extend to the MFS 212, and the STO 230 disposed between the
main pole 220 and the trailing shield 240 is electrically coupled
to the main pole 220 and the trailing shield 240. The STO 230 may
be surrounded by an insulating material (not shown) in a
cross-track direction (into and out of the paper). During
operation, the STO 230 generates an AC magnetic field that travels
to the magnetic disk 202 to lower the coercivity of the region of
the magnetic disk 202 adjacent to the STO 230. The write head 210
further includes a heater 250 for adjusting the distance between
the read/write head 200 and the magnetic disk 202. The location of
the heater 250 is not limited to above the return pole 206, as
shown in FIG. 2. The heater 250 may be disposed at any suitable
location.
[0026] FIGS. 3A-3B are MFS views of an STO 300 according to
embodiments described herein. The STO 300 may be the STO 230 shown
in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3A, the STO 300 may be disposed between
the main pole 220 and the trailing shield 240. The STO 300 may
include a first magnetic layer 304, a second magnetic layer 308 and
an interlayer 306 disposed between the first magnetic layer 304 and
the second magnetic layer 308. The interlayer 306 may be a
non-magnetic metal having long spin diffusion length. The first
magnetic layer 304 may be an SPL and the second magnetic layer 308
may be an FGL, or vice versa. Conventionally, both the SPL and FGL
include positive polarization materials. Positive polarization
materials have same magnetization and spin directions. With the SPL
and FGL both having positive polarization materials, the
magnetizations of the SPL and FGL are both in oscillation with
anti-parallel configuration in some proper conditions by passing an
electrical current through the materials. This is called AF-mode
oscillation. This anti-parallel magnetization oscillation partially
cancels the magnetizations of the SPL and FGL, leading to weaker AC
magnetic field generated by the STO. To suppress the cancellation
of the magnetizations of the SPL and FGL and to strengthen the AC
magnetic field generated by the STO, a negative polarization
material may be used for one of the SPL and FGL, while the other
layer includes a positive polarization material. Negative
polarization materials have opposite directions of magnetization
and spin. With one of the SPL and FGL being positive polarization
material and the other being negative polarization material, the
magnetization directions of the SPL and FGL in oscillation are
parallel, meaning the magnetization directions of the SPL and FGL
are the same when in oscillation with an electrical current is
passing through the materials. Parallel magnetization directions of
the SPL and FGL suppress the cancellation of magnetizations in the
SPL and FGL, which leads to a strengthened AC magnetic field
generated by the STO 300.
[0027] In one embodiment, the first magnetic layer 304 is an SPL
which includes a negative polarization material and the second
magnetic layer 308 is an FGL which includes a positive polarization
material. In another embodiment, the first magnetic layer 304 is an
SPL which includes a positive polarization material and the second
magnetic layer 308 is an FGL which includes a negative polarization
material. In another embodiment, the first magnetic layer 304 is an
FGL which includes a positive polarization material and the second
magnetic layer 308 is an SPL which includes a negative polarization
material. In another embodiment, the first magnetic layer 304 is an
FGL which includes a negative polarization material and the second
magnetic layer 308 is an SPL which includes a positive polarization
material. Examples of negative polarization materials include: FeCr
having five to thirty five atomic percent of Cr; CoCr having five
to twenty five atomic percent of Cr; NiCr having five to ten atomic
percent of Cr; FeV having ten to twenty give atomic percent of V;
CoMn having five to ten atomic percent of Mn; and any magnetic
material containing these materials. Examples of positive
polarization materials include Fe, Co, Ni and alloys thereof.
Examples of at least a portion of the interlayer 306 adjacent the
magnetic layer having negative polarization includes Cr and alloys
thereof.
[0028] The STO 300 may include an underlayer 302 disposed between
the main pole 220 and the first magnetic layer 304 and a cap layer
310 disposed between the trailing shield 240 and the second
magnetic layer 308, as shown in FIG. 3A. The underlayer 302 and the
cap layer 310 may be electroconductive metal materials. In one
embodiment, the underlayer 302 includes Ta and the cap layer 310
includes Cr. In one embodiment, the cap layer 310 is disposed over
the second magnetic layer 308, the second magnetic layer 308 is
disposed over the interlayer 306, the interlayer 306 is disposed
over the first magnetic layer 304, and the first magnetic layer 304
is disposed over the underlayer 302.
[0029] FIG. 3B is a MFS view of an STO 330 according to another
embodiment. The STO 330 may be the STO 230 shown in FIG. 2. The STO
330 may include a first magnetic layer 314, a second magnetic layer
318, a third magnetic layer 322, a first interlayer 316 and a
second interlayer 320. The first interlayer 316 may be disposed
between the first magnetic layer 314 and the second magnetic layer
318, and the second interlayer 320 may be disposed between the
second magnetic layer 318 and the third magnetic layer 322. The
interlayers 316, 320 may be a non-magnetic metal having long spin
diffusion length. The first magnetic layer 314 may be an SPL, the
second magnetic layer 318 may be an FGL and the third magnetic
layer 322 maybe another SPL. In this configuration, both AF-mode
oscillation and another oscillation mode in which the SPL
magnetization stays perpendicular to the film plane, called T-mode
oscillation, may be utilized.
[0030] In one embodiment, the first magnetic layer 314 may include
a negative polarization material, the second magnetic layer 318 may
include a positive polarization material and the third magnetic
layer 322 may include a positive polarization material. In this
configuration, the first magnetic layer 314 and the second magnetic
layer 318 utilize AF-mode oscillation and the second magnetic layer
318 and the third magnetic layer 322 utilize T-mode oscillation. In
another embodiment, the first magnetic layer 314 may include a
positive polarization material, the second magnetic layer 318 may
include a positive polarization material and the third magnetic
layer 322 may include a negative polarization material. In this
configuration, the first magnetic layer 314 and the second magnetic
layer 318 utilize T-mode oscillation and the second magnetic layer
318 and the third magnetic layer 322 utilize AF-mode oscillation.
Both configurations utilize two SPL layers, since both the first
magnetic layer 314 and the third magnetic layer 322 may be SPL. The
dual-SPL structure improves spin torque efficiency which leads to
improved oscillation state. To further strengthen the AC magnetic
field generated by the STO 330, at least one of the three magnetic
layers 314, 318, 322 may include negative polarization material and
at least one of the three magnetic layers 314, 318, 322 may include
positive polarization material. In one embodiment, at least one of
the first and third magnetic layers 314, 322 includes negative
polarization material and the second magnetic layer 318 includes
positive polarization material. In other words, at least one SPL
includes negative polarization material and the FGL includes
positive polarization material, and the SPL having negative
polarization material and the FGL having positive polarization
material utilize AF-mode oscillation. As a result, the
magnetization directions of the SPL having negative polarization
material and the FGL having positive polarization material are the
same, i.e., the magnetization directions of the SPL and the FGL are
parallel. Parallel magnetization directions helps suppressing
cancellation of magnetization in the SPL and FGL, which leads to a
stronger AC magnetic field generated by the STO 330.
[0031] The STO 330 may include an underlayer 312 disposed between
the main pole 220 and the first magnetic layer 314 and a cap layer
324 disposed between the trailing shield 240 and the third magnetic
layer 322, as shown in FIG. 3B. The underlayer 312 and the cap
layer 324 may be the same as the underlayer 302 and the cap layer
310 described in FIG. 3A. In one embodiment, the cap layer 324 may
be disposed over the third magnetic layer 322, the third magnetic
layer 322 may be disposed over the second interlayer 320, the
second interlayer 320 may be disposed over the second magnetic
layer 318, the second magnetic layer 318 may be disposed over the
first interlayer 316, the first interlayer 316 may be disposed over
the first magnetic layer 314, and the first magnetic layer 314 may
be disposed over the underlayer 312.
[0032] In summary, a MAMR enabled magnetic head is disclosed. The
MAMR head includes an STO disposed between a main pole and a
trailing shield. The STO includes at least one SPL and one FGL, and
at least one of the layers includes negative polarization material
and at least one of the layers includes positive polarization
material. The configuration allows the magnetization directions of
the SPL and FGL to be parallel, which suppressing the cancellation
of magnetizations of the SPL and FGL. In turn, the AC magnetic
field generated by the STO is strengthened.
[0033] While the foregoing is directed to exemplary embodiments,
other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised
without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope
thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *