HDI Tribology Challenges and Strategies of Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording Drives

Abstract

Abstract The key features for Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) head-disk interface (HDI) are higher temperature, rougher media grains and harder disk properties. As a result of these features, it is critical for HDI especially the head to remain wear resistance, contamination robustness and chemical stability as much as possible compared to the current Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) technology. This work summarizes new tribology challenges and strategies at the HDI arisen from the HAMR technology, in terms of disk carbon overcoats, lubricants, head overcoats and mechanical design.