Energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive using modulated laser light

Description

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of portion of a conventional heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive 10. For clarity, FIG. 1 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the HAMR disk drive 10 are shown. The HAMR disk drive 10 includes a HAMR head 11 including a slider 12 and a transducer 20. THE HAMR disk drive 10 also includes a laser/light source 14, media 18 and preamplifier and associated circuitry 30. The laser 14 is typically a laser diode. Although shown as mounted on the slider 11, the laser 14 may be coupled with the slider 11 in another fashion. For example, the laser 11 might be mounted on a suspension (not shown in FIG. 1) to which the slider 11 is also attached. The media 18 may include multiple layers, which are not shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity.

The HAMR head 11 includes a HAMR transducer 20. The HAMR head 11 may also include a read transducer (not shown in FIG. 1). The read transducer may be included if the HAMR head 11 is a merged head. The HAMR transducer 20 includes optical components (not shown in FIG. 1) as well as magnetic components (not shown in FIG. 1).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system to provide a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive including a media are described. The HAMR disk drive also includes a slider, at least one laser, at least one HAMR head on the slider and at least one electro-optical modulator (EOM) optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. The at least one laser and the at least one EOM are coupled to provide a modulated energy output. The at least one EOM controls the modulated energy output to have a characteristic waveform shape. The at least one HAMR head includes at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The at least one waveguide receives the modulated energy output and directs the modulated energy output toward the media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a conventional HAMR disk drive.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive that utilizes modulated laser light.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive that utilizes modulated laser light.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for writing using a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 6 is a graph depicting an exemplary embodiment of laser power and the optical energy output by the laser and an electro-absorption modulator combination.

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting an exemplary embodiment of laser power and the optical energy output by the laser and an electro-absorption modulator combination.

FIG. 8 is a graph depicting an exemplary embodiment of the temperature for a particular portion of the media versus time for a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 9 includes graphs depicting an exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 10 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 11 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 12 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 13 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 14 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 15 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 16 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 17 includes graphs depicting exemplary embodiments of relative media temperature at the write peak and the next peak for the same average laser power in a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 18 includes graphs depicting exemplary embodiments of media temperature at the write peak and the next peak for the same writing peak temperature in a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 19 includes graphs depicting another exemplary embodiment of the temperature variation for a portion of HAMR disk drives including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an electro-absorption modulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 also depicts a conventional pre-amplifier 30. The pre-amplifier 30 is typically located remote from the slider 12. For example, the pre-amplifier may reside on a flexible printed circuit board (actuator flex). The actuator flex provides mechanical and electrical connection between a system on a chip (SOC) including other electronics and the slider 12, which is typically mounted on the actuator flex. The conventional pre-amplifier 30 typically provides DC power for the conventional laser diode 14 and power for the transducer 20. For the transducer 20, the pre-amplifier 30 may be connected by two lines for a fly height sensor that helps determine the distance between the ABS and the media, one to two lines for a fly height control heater and ground, two lines for read data, and two lines for the write data.

In operation, the pre-amplifier 30 provides a constant power signal to the laser 14 during writing. Thus, the laser 14 remains on throughout the write operations. The laser 14 provides a constant source of energy, which is used to heat small regions of the media 18. The pre-amplifier 30 also provides write signals to the transducer 20. The write signals selectively energize one or more coils (not shown in FIG. 1). These coils energize a write pole (not shown in FIG. 1). The transducer 20 then magnetically writes to the media 18 in the heated region.

Although the conventional HAMR disk drive 10 functions, it is desirable to reduce power consumption of the HAMR disk drive 10. For example, a conventional near-field transducer (NFT) (not shown) is typically used to focus light from the conventional laser 14 onto the media 18. However, the conventional NFT is subject to overheating during use. The NFT may thus deform, melt, or corrode. Further, the lateral thermal gradient in the media 18 may be lower than desired. Stated differently, the temperature of the media 18 does not fall off sufficiently quickly in the cross track direction from the region being heated. Thus, the track widths recorded by the conventional HAMR transducer 20 may be wider than desired. Consequently, a mechanism for controlling the power consumed by the conventional HAMR disk drive 10 is desired.

Accordingly, what is needed are improved methods and systems for controlling power consumption in HAMR disk drives.

One mechanism for controlling power consumption in a HAMR disk drive is to modulate the current to a laser, such as the conventional laser 14. Thus, instead of providing DC power to the laser, the current is pulsed. Although this technology is promising, there are drawbacks. Circuitry for pulsing current to a laser at sufficiently high frequencies may be more expensive than is desired for disk drive technology. In addition, the pulsed current may introduce jitter into the output of the laser. The jitter is due to the random onset of the avalanche transition once the inverted population of excited/ground state electrons is achieved in the lasing media within the laser. This jitter may be mitigated by ensuring that the laser is operated above the threshold current at all times. However, the jitter may still be larger than desired for operation of the HAMR disk drive.

In addition, a more recently developed HAMR disk drive utilizes an electro absorption modulator (EAM) in connection with a laser to modulate the energy provided to the HAMR transducer. In particular, such a HAMR disk drive includes a media, at least one laser coupled with the slider, at least one HAMR head on the slider, and at least one EAM. The EAM(s) are optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. An EAM is a type of electro-optical modulator (EOM). The combination of the laser(s) and EOM(s) provide a toggled energy output. Stated differently, the EOM may simply function to alternately turn the energy output of the laser on and off. Such HAMR head(s) include at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The waveguide(s) receive the toggled energy output and direct the energy pulses toward the media. Although the pulsed laser output may be provided using the more recently developed system, further improvements may be desired.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive 100 that may be operated using pulsed laser energy. For clarity, FIG. 2 is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the HAMR disk drive 100 are shown. In addition, although the HAMR disk drive 100 is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the HAMR disk drive 100 is not shown. For simplicity, only single components 102, 110, 120, 130 and 140 are shown. However, multiples of each components 102, 110, 120, 130 and/or 140 and their sub-components, might be used.

The HAMR disk drive 100 includes media 102, a slider 110, a HAMR head 120, a laser assembly 130 and an electro-optical modulator (EOM) 140. In some embodiments, the EOM is an EAM. The methods and systems are, therefore, described in the context of an EAM. However, in other embodiments, another type of EOM may be used. Additional and/or different components may be included in the HAMR disk drive 100. Although not shown, the slider 110, and thus the laser assembly 130 and HAMR transducer 120 are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The HAMR transducer 120 is fabricated on the slider 110 and includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media 102 during use.

In general, the HAMR head 120 includes a write transducer and a read transducer. However, for clarity, only the write portion of the HAMR head 120 is shown. The HAMR head 120 includes a waveguide 122, write pole 124, coil(s) 126 and near-field transducer (NFT) 128. In other embodiments, different and/or additional components may be used in the HAMR head 120. The waveguide 122 guides light to the NFT 128, which resides near the ABS. The NFT 128 utilizes local resonances in surface plasmons to focus the light to magnetic recording media 102. At resonance, the NFT 128 couples the optical energy of the surface plasmons efficiently into the recording medium layer of the media 102 with a confined optical spot which is much smaller than the optical diffraction limit. This optical spot can rapidly heat the recording medium layer to near or above the Curie point. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole 124 energized by the coils 126 to a modest magnetic field.

The laser assembly 130 includes a submount 132 and a laser 134. The submount 132 is a substrate to which the laser 134 may be affixed for improved mechanical stability, ease of manufacturing and better robustness. The laser 134 may be a chip such as a laser diode. Thus, the laser 134 typically includes at least a resonance cavity, a gain reflector on one end of the cavity, a partial reflector on the other end of the cavity and a gain medium. For simplicity, these components of the laser 134 are not shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the laser 134 may be an edge emitting laser, a vertical surface emitting laser (VCSEL) or other laser. The laser 134 emits energy on a side/edge facing the waveguide 122.

The HAMR disk drive 100 also includes the EAM 140. In some embodiments, the EAM 140 may include a semiconductor or a multilayer having multiple quantum wells (MQW). In some embodiments, the EAM 140 is a Bragg EAM. The EAM 140 may be integrated onto the same chip as the laser 134 or may be a separate component. When integrated into the same chip as the laser 134 or affixed to the submount 132, the EAM 140 may be part of the laser assembly 130. In other embodiments, the EAM 140 may be integrated into the slider 110. In addition, the EAM 140 may take on a variety of configurations. The EAM 140 may also be small and inexpensive enough to be incorporated into the HAMR disk drive. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the EAM 140 resides between the output of the laser 134 and the waveguide 122. To control operation of the EAM 140, and thus the energy output of the EAM 140-laser 134 combination, a controlled voltage is provided to the EAM 140 via pads (not shown). Depending upon the location of the EAM 140 and the specifics of the embodiment, these pads may be integrated into the laser assembly 130, onto the laser 134, and/or in the slider 110.

The combination of the laser 134 and the EAM 140 provide a modulated energy output to the waveguide 122. More specifically, the EAM 140 and laser 134 may be used to control the energy entering the waveguide not only to be pulsed, but also to have a characteristic waveform shape. For example, the pulsed/modulated output of the EAM 140 and laser 134 may include one or more of an impulse function, various types of square waves, various sawtooth waves, and sine wave(s), including one or more harmonics of a particular wave function. In some embodiments, the EAM 140 modulates the output of the laser 134 by controlling the introduction of charge carriers (e.g. electrons) into the region between the emission exit of the laser 134 and the waveguide 122. The electrons absorb light from the laser 134, which may alternately reduce (or eliminate) energy transmitted to the waveguide 122. As a result, the shape of the waveform for the energy entering the waveguide can be tailored. In other embodiments, such as an MQW EAM, the EAM 140 can alternately change is reflective properties. Thus, the reflection and transmission of light energy is controlled. Some or all of the light may be reflected back to the laser 134 or transmitted to the waveguide 122. In either embodiment, the output of the combination of the laser 134 and EAM 140 is pulsed energy having a desired waveform shape. In some embodiments, the EAM 140 may be capable of operating up to at least the 5-10 GHz range and may have a low insertion loss. The EAM 140 may also require a relatively low voltage and low current for operation. For example, the EAM 140 may operate in the 2-4 volt range. Thus, pulsed energy may be outputted to the waveguide 140 at frequencies of up to at least the 5-10 GHz range and having a particular waveform shape without requiring high voltages to be provided to the EAM 140. Such frequencies are generally considered sufficient for higher density recording.

In operation, the laser 134 emits light, which may be DC emission. The duty cycle of the laser 134 may also be controlled. Thus, the laser 134 need not be on continuously during operation. The laser light is modulated by the EAM 140 to provide modulated light to the waveguide 122. The waveguide 122 directs the modulated light to the NFT 128. The NFT 128 focuses the modulated light to a region of magnetic recording media 102 using surface plasmons. The NFT 128 thus couples the optical energy of the modulated light into the recording medium layer of the media 102 with a confined optical spot that is much smaller than the optical diffraction limit. This optical spot can typically heat the recording medium layer above the Curie point on the sub-nanosecond scale. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole 124 energized by the coils 126 to a modest magnetic field.

The HAMR disk drive 100 may have improved performance and reliability. Using the EAM 140, modulated laser energy may be provided to the waveguide 122 while operating the laser 134 in a DC mode. The laser 134 receives a DC current and provides a constant output that may be less subject to jitter. Further, the waveform shape for the modulated energy may be controlled by the EAM 140. Control over the waveform may allow the HAMR disk drive 100 to have further reduced temperature jitter of the media, an improved temperature versus time profile for the media, reduced heating of the NFT 128, better optimized power of the laser, and/or other desired features. Thus, the temperature of the media may be controlled by tailoring the shape of the pulses output by the laser 134 and EAM 140 combination. For example, harmonics such as the first and third harmonics of a square wave may be used to decrease jitter and provide a flatter temperature profile of the media to allow for more time for writing. The duty cycle of the laser 134 may be reduced using a sawtooth wave. The sawtooth may also lower the heating of the NFT and provide the highest peak media temperature. The lowest average laser power may be achieved using a square wave. Other goals may be achieved using these and/or other waveform shapes. Further, an improved gradient in the thermal spot size on the media 102 may be achieved, resulting in a narrower track width. Consequently, performance and reliability of the HAMR disk drive 100 may be improved.

FIG. 3 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive 100′ that utilizes modulated laser energy. FIG. 3 is not to scale. Although the HAMR disk drive 100′ is depicted in the context of particular components additional, other and/or different components may be used. The HAMR disk drive 100′ is analogous to the HAMR disk drive 100. Consequently, the HAMR disk drive 100′ includes a media 102′, a slider 110′, a head 120′, a laser assembly 130′ and an EAM 140 that are analogous to the media 102, slider 110, HAMR head 120, laser assembly 130, and EAM 140, respectively. For clarity, only a portion of the HAMR disk drive 100′ is shown.

The HAMR head 120′ includes a waveguide 122′, write pole 124′, coil(s) 126′ and NFT 128′ that are analogous to the waveguide 122, write pole 124, coil(s) 126 and NFT 128, respectively. The structure and function of the waveguide 122′, write pole 124′, coil(s) 126′ and NFT 128′ are thus analogous to those of the waveguide 122, write pole 124, coil(s) 126 and NFT 128, respectively. The laser assembly 130′ includes a submount 132′ and a laser 134′. The submount 132′ is analogous to the submount 132 and thus has a similar structure and function.

The laser 134′ may be a chip such as a laser diode and may be analogous to the laser 134. Thus, the laser 134′ includes at least a resonance cavity, a gain reflector on one end of the cavity, a partial reflector on the other end of the cavity and a gain medium. For simplicity, these components of the laser 134′ are not shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the laser 134′ may be an edge emitting laser, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) or other laser. The laser 134′ emits energy on a side/edge facing the waveguide 122′.

The HAMR disk drive 100′ also includes the EAM 140′ that is analogous to the EAM 140. However, the EAM 140′ is incorporated into the laser 134′ rather than between the laser 134 and the waveguide 122 as is shown in FIG. 2. The EAM 140′ thus resides within the cavity of the laser 134′ and modulates the laser 134′ itself. For example, the EAM 140′ may reside within the cavity near the gain mirror. The EAM 140′ may control the introduction and depletion of charge carriers (e.g. electrons) within the cavity of the laser 134′. The electrons absorb energy, which may control the gain for the laser 134′, resulting in the laser 134′ outputting pulses having the desired waveform shape. In other embodiments, the EAM 140′ may alternately change its reflective properties to “spoil” the gain mirror. Again, the output of the laser 134′ is modulated energy. In either embodiment, the EAM 140′ and laser 134′ may be controlled such that the gain media remains in an excited state between pulses. As a result, energy with the laser 134′ may be considered to be conserved and power dissipated by the laser 134′ reduced.

The HAMR disk drive 100′ may have improved performance and reliability. Because the EAM 140′ modulates the cavity of the laser 134′, pulsed energy having the desired waveform is provided to the waveguide 134′ and, therefore, to the NFT 128′. Thus, benefits such as a narrower track width, reduced heating of the NFT 128′, an improved gradient in thermal spot size, reduced temperature jitter of the media 102′, improved temporal profile of the media temperature, better optimized performance of the laser 134′ and/or other features. Using the EAM 140′, the cavity of the laser 134′ is modulated to output pulsed laser energy provided to the waveguide 122. Because the cavity is modulated, the laser 134′ may generate less power/heat as compared to DC operation. In addition, the depth of the modulation provided by the EAM 140′ may be greater than that provided by the EAM 140. However, the laser 134′ may be subject to jitter. Consequently, performance and reliability of the HAMR disk drive 100′ may be enhanced.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR disk drive 150 analogous to the HAMR disk drives 100 and 100′. FIG. 4 is not to scale. Although the HAMR disk drive 150 is depicted in the context of particular components additional, other and/or different components may be used. For clarity, only a portion of the HAMR disk drive 150 is shown. In particular only the laser 160, EAM 154, and power/control unit 170 are shown. The laser 160 is analogous to the laser 134/134′. The HAMR disk drive 150 is analogous to the HAMR disk drives 100/100′. The EAM is thus analogous to the EAM 140/140′ and resides between the output of the laser 160 and the waveguide (not shown). The EAM 154 may thus modulate the output of the laser 160 or the cavity of the laser 160.

The HAMR disk drive 150 includes the power/control block 170, which may be within a preamplifier. The power/control block 170 includes a laser control block 172 and an EAM control block 174. In another embodiment, the laser and EAM control may be combined into a single block. The power/control block 170 thus selectively energizes the laser 160 and EAM 154 to provide energy to the waveguide that is pulsed and has a desired temporal waveform.

The HAMR disk drive 100′ may have improved performance and reliability. Using the power control block 170 the EAM 154 and laser 160 are controlled to provide a pulsed energy that has the desired shape. This pulsed energy output may be provided to a waveguide and NFT. Thus, the benefits of the HAMR disk drives 100 and 100′ may also be attained in the HAMR disk drive 150. For example, a narrower track width, reduced heating of the NFT, an improved gradient in thermal spot size, reduced temperature jitter of the media, improved temporal profile of the media temperature, better optimized performance of the laser 160 and/or other features. Consequently, performance and reliability of the HAMR disk drive 150 may be enhanced.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 of writing using a HAMR disk drive. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, combined, replaced, performed in another sequence, and/or interleaved. The method 200 is described in the context of the HAMR disk drives 100/100′/150. However, the method 200 may be used for other HAMR disk drives. The method 200 is also described in a single EOM, laser, and transducer. However, the method 300 may be used to write multiple bits at substantially the same time and/or to use multiple EOMs, laser(s) and/or transducers at substantially the same time. Further, although the steps of the method 200 are depicted sequentially, one or more of the steps of the method 200 may overlap in time and/or occur at substantially the same time.

The laser 134/134′/160 is energized, via step 202. Step 202 may include providing current to the laser 134/134′/160, for example using power/control block 170 and laser control 172. The current provided to the laser 134/134′/160 in step 202 is sufficient to energize the laser 134/134′/160 to provide the desired energy output.

The EOM 140/140′/154 is controlled to provide a modulated energy output using the laser energy, via step 204. Step 204 may include modulating the power to the EAM 140/140′/154 using the power/control block 170 and EAM control 174. As a result, the energy provided to the waveguide 122/122′ has the desired characteristic waveform shape. For example, the pulsed energy output could include one or more of an impulse function, a square wave, a square wave with leading edge overshoot, a square wave with a trailing edge overshoot, a sawtooth, an inverted sawtooth and a sine wave. Alternatively, step 204 might include simply toggling the pulsed output on or off. Such reduced control over the shape of the waveform may, for example, be used if specific peaks are used to determine the write band as discussed with respect to FIG. 8. The energy provided in step 204 is optically coupled into the waveguide 122/122′ and provided from the waveguide 122/122′ to the media 102/102′. In some embodiments, the modulated energy is provided to the media 102/102′ using the NFT 128/128′.

The write pole 124/124′ is selectively energized to record data to the media 102/102′, via step 206. Step 206 may include writing when the media 102/102 is within a particular temperature range, or write band. In some embodiments, the temperature is desired to be above a particular temperature, termed the blocking temperature. The blocking temperature is a temperature above which the coercivity of the media begins to decrease. The Curie temperature is the temperature at which the coercivity of the media is near zero. The write band may include temperatures at and above the blocking temperature, but below the Curie temperature. In some embodiments, the write band is within a range of temperatures corresponding to peak media temperatures. Finally, although described as corresponding to a particular media temperature range, step 206 may include determining a time during which the write pole 124/124′ is energized based upon the times at which the EAM 140/140′/154 and laser 134/134′/160 are energized. Thus, step 206 may include energizing the pole during the appropriate temperature and time range for recording. The steps of the method 200 may then be repeated for various locations on the media in order to write the desired data to the HAMR disk drive 100/100′/150.

Using the method 200, performance of the HAMR disk drives 100, 100′, and/or 150 may be improved. For example, the write pole may be energized to write at a desired time and temperature of the media 102/102′. In at least some embodiments, the shape of the energy pulses provided to the media may be configured for desired outcomes including but not limited to reducing NFT heating, optimizing laser performance, reducing temperature jitter, controlling media temperature profile, and improved thermal gradient. Thus, performance and reliability of the HAMR disk drives 100, 100′, and/or 150 may be enhanced.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are graphs 250 and 260, respectively, depicting exemplary embodiments of laser power and the optical energy output by the laser and EAM combination using the method 200. FIGS. 6 and 7 are described in the context of the method 200 and HAMR disk drives 100, 100′ and 150. However, the graphs 250 and 260 may be obtained using other embodiments of the method and system not depicted herein. Although termed “graphs”, “plots”, “curves” or the like, the depictions in FIGS. 6 and 7 are for explanatory purposes only and not intended to depict data for a particular embodiment.

In the graph 250 of FIG. 6, DC current is provided to the laser 134/134′/160 during operation. This is shown by laser power plot 252. However, the EAM 140/140′/154 is controlled to modulate the energy provided to the waveguide 122/122′. Thus, although the laser 134/134′/160 operates in the DC regime, the energy input to the waveguide is a series of impulse functions. This is shown by the plot 254. Thus, the desired frequency and shape of the energy input to the waveguide 254 may be obtained.

In contrast, FIG. 7 depicts a graph 260 in which current to the laser is pulsed, as is shown in plot 262. The frequency of the laser pulses is, however, relatively low. In another embodiment, the laser 134/134′/160 might be pulsed at a frequency that is similar to that at which the EAM 140/140′/154 operates. In such embodiments, the period and waveform of the current driving of the laser 134/134′/160 may be selected to match that of the EAM 140/140′/154. The EAM 140/140′/154 is controlled to modulate the energy provided to the waveguide 122/122′. Thus, although the laser 134/134′/160 is on for relatively long periods, the energy input to the waveguide is a series of square waves having a higher frequency. This is shown by the plot 264. Both the waveform shape and the frequency of the energy input to the waveguide have been modified from that provided to the laser. Thus, the desired frequency and shape of the energy input to the waveguide 264 may be obtained. Thus, as is exemplified by the graphs 250 and 260, the laser 134/134′/140 and EAM 140/140′/154 may be separately controlled to provide to the waveguide 122/122′ a modulated energy output having the desired shape and frequency. As a result, the benefits of the HAMR disk drives 100, 100′, and 150 and the method 200 may be achieved.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a curve 265 of the temperature for a particular portion of the media versus time for a HAMR disk drive including a laser and an EOM. FIG. 8 is described in the context of the method 200 and HAMR disk drives 100, 100′ and 150. However, the curve 265 may be obtained using other embodiments of the method and system not depicted herein. Although termed “graphs”, “plots”, “curves” or the like, the depiction in FIG. 8 is for explanatory purposes only and not intended to depict data for a particular embodiment.

The shape of the curve 265 reflects the change in temperature of the media 102/102′ due to heating by the HAMR transducer 120/120′. As the slider 110/110′ approaches the region, the temperature increases and reaches a maximum, T_max. As the slider 110/110′ travels away from the region, the temperature of the region degreases. The curve 265 includes a number of peaks of which only peaks 266, 267 and 268 are labeled. The peaks correspond to pulses of energy of the laser and EAM combination. The peaks include a global maximum peak 266 at which the highest, global maximum temperature, T_max, occurs for the region. The adjoining local peak that occurs after the global maximum peak is peak 267 having a maximum temperature of T₁. The following local peak 268 has a lower maximum temperature of T₂. In general, it is desirable to write to the media after the maximum temperature T_max has occurred. This aids in ensuring that data just written to the media is not inadvertently erased. In some embodiments, the write band is between T₁ and T_max—between the global maximum peak 266 and the adjoining local peak 267. In other embodiments, the write band is between T₁ and T₂—between the local peak 267 that adjoins the global maximum peak 266 and the next adjacent local peak 268. However, in other embodiments, other peaks and/or other combinations of peaks may be used.

By selecting the appropriate write band recording data in the HAMR disk drives 100, 100′, 150 and/or other HAMR drives using pulsed energy may be improved. In particular, a sufficiently high media temperature to facilitate writing may be achieved without the data being inadvertently erased. Thus, performance of the HAMR drive(s) may be improved.

FIGS. 9-16 are graphs depicting exemplary embodiments of the laser power and media temperature versus time for a portion of HAMR disk drive(s) including laser(s) and electro-absorption modulator(s). FIGS. 9-16 are described in the context of the method 200 and HAMR disk drives 100, 100′ and 150. However, the curves depicted may be obtained using other embodiments of the method and system not depicted herein. Although termed “graphs”, “plots”, “curves” or the like, the depictions in FIGS. 9-16 are for explanatory purposes only and not intended to depict data for a particular embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a graph 270 including curves 272 and 274. The curve 272 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 274 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a square wave 272. The resulting temperature peak 274 is substantially triangular in shape.

FIG. 10 depicts a graph 275 including curves 276 and 278. The curve 276 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 278 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a square wave with a leading edge overshoot 277. The resulting temperature curve 278 is substantially triangular in shape.

FIG. 11 depicts a graph 280 including curves 282 and 284. The curve 282 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 284 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a square wave with a trailing edge overshoot 283. The resulting temperature curve 284 is substantially triangular in shape.

FIG. 12 depicts a graph 285 including curves 286 and 288. The curve 286 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 288 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a sawtooth wave 276. The resulting temperature curve 288 is substantially triangular in shape with its peak temperature close in time to the peak power output by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154.

FIG. 13 depicts a graph 290 including curves 292 and 294. The curve 292 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 294 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is an inverted sawtooth wave 292. Thus, the leading edge substantially vertical. The resulting temperature curve 294 has a rounder shape.

FIG. 14 depicts a graph 295 including curves 296 and 298. The curve 296 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 298 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a sine wave 296. The resulting temperature curve 298 is similar to the sine wave 296 and has its peak temperature close in time to the peak power output by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154.

FIG. 15 depicts a graph 300 including curves 302 and 304. The curve 302 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 304 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. The power provided by the laser and EAM combination is a wave form 304 made from the first and third harmonics of a square wave. The resulting temperature curve 304 has a rounder shape.

FIG. 16 depicts a graph 305 including curves 306 and 308. The curve 306 indicates the power provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154. The dashed curve 308 depicts the one peak in the corresponding temperature profile for the media 102/102′. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the power provided by the laser and EAM combination has a waveform 306 that is a combination of the first and third harmonics. However, the first and third harmonics have been configured to provide the curve 308 for the resulting temperature of the media 102/102′. In particular, the temperature curve 308 is more flat in the region of its peak temperature. This may facilitate writing using the HAMR disk drive 100, 100′ and/or 150. It is also noted that the first and third harmonics may be further optimized and other and/or additional harmonics may be included. Thus, the desired temperature profile of the media 102/102′ may be achieved.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9-16 the energy provided by the laser 134/134′/160 may be modulated using the EAM 140/140′/154 to achieve the desired shape of the pulses input to the waveguide 122/122′. In turn, the shape of the energy input to the waveguide 122/122′ and provided to the media 102/102′ may result in particular temperature versus time profiles for the media. Effects such as reduced temperature jitter, a flatter peaks in the temperature profile, desired peak temperatures, reduced heating of the NFT 128/128′, optimized laser power and/or other effects may thus be achieved. Performance and reliability of the HAMR disk drive 100, 100′, and/or 150 may thus be attained.

FIG. 17 is a graph 310 including curves depicting exemplary embodiments of relative media temperature at the write peak and the next peak for the same average laser power in a HAMR disk drive including a laser and electro-absorption modulator. FIG. 18 is a graph 320 including curves depicting exemplary embodiments of media temperature at the write peak and the next peak for the same writing peak temperature in a HAMR disk drive including a laser and electro-absorption modulator. FIGS. 17-18 are described in the context of the method 200 and HAMR disk drives 100, 100′ and 150. However, the curves depicted may be obtained using other embodiments of the method and system not depicted herein. Although termed “graphs”, “plots”, “curves” or the like, the depictions in FIGS. 17-18 are for explanatory purposes only and not intended to depict data for a particular embodiment.

As can be seen in the graph 310, the sawtooth shape for the wave function provides the highest peak temperature. However, the sawtooth waveform alone may have other disadvantages, such as a higher power level than other wave forms. Thus, the shape of the waveform provided by the combination of the laser 134/134′/160 and the EAM 140/140′/154 may be different from the waveforms described herein. The graph 320 indicates that despite differences in the shapes of the curves, the position of the peaks versus time is relatively similar. Thus, the time at which the write pole 124/124′ may be determined for different waveforms.

FIG. 19 is a graph 330 depicting another exemplary embodiment of the temperature variation for a portion of HAMR disk drives including a laser and electro-absorption modulator. FIG. 19 is described in the context of the method 200 and HAMR disk drives 100, 100′ and 150. However, the curves depicted may be obtained using other embodiments of the method and system not depicted herein. Although termed “graphs”, “plots”, “curves” or the like, the depictions in FIG. 19 are for explanatory purposes only and not intended to depict data for a particular embodiment.

The graph 330 includes curves 332, 334, 336 and 338 that correspond to different shapes of the waveform for the energy provided by the laser 134/134′/160 and EAM 140/140′/154 combination. The curves 332, 334, 336 and 338 correspond to the maximum temperature variation in the media 102/102′ along the track for a square wave, a sine wave, a sawtooth wave and a combination of the first and third harmonics of a square wave, respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 19, the amplitude of the curve 338 is smallest, indicating that the first and third harmonics may result in reduced temperature jitter of the media 102/102′. However, as described above, other considerations may be taken into account in selecting the shape of the waveform for the energy provided to the waveguide 122/122′. Thus, the first and third harmonics may or may not be used in particular embodiments of the method and system described herein.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method 350 for fabricating a HAMR disk drive including a laser and electro-absorption modulator. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, combined, replaced, performed in another sequence, and/or interleaved. The method 350 is described in the context of the HAMR disk drives 100/100′/150. However, the method 350 may be used for other HAMR disk drives. The method 350 also may commence after formation of some portions of the HAMR disk drive 100/100′/150. The method 350 is also described in the context of providing a single disk drive. However, the method 350 may be used to fabricate multiple disk drives at substantially the same time.

A slider 110/110′ is provided, via step 352. The HAMR head 120/120′ is provided on the slider 110/110′, via step 354. Step 354 includes fabricating the structures for the HAMR head such as the waveguide 122/122′, the write pole 124/124′, the coil(s) 126/126′ and the NFT 128/128′. In other embodiments, other or different components may be fabricated as part of step 304. The laser 134/134′ is also provided, via step 356. Step 356 may include obtaining the desired laser 134/134′ and affixing the laser to the submount 132/132′. Thus, the laser provided in step 356 may be an edge emitting laser, a VCSEL or other laser.

One or more EAM(s) 140/140′ optically coupled with the laser 134/134′ and with coupled with the slider 110/110′ are provided, via step 358. Step 358 may include integrating the EAM 140′ within the laser 134′. Alternatively, the EAM 140 may be located between the output of the laser 134 and the waveguide 122. The power/control block 170 for the EAM 140/140′/154 and laser 134/134′/160 is provided in step 360 Step 360 may also include coupling the power/control block with the EAM 140 and laser 134.

Thus, using the method 350, the disk drives 100/100′/150 may be provided. These disk drives 100/100′/150 may be used in conjunction with the method 200. As a result, the benefits of the disk drives 100/100′/10 and method 200 may be achieved.