Readback Process Research Articles

Topology optimization of a heat-assisted magnetic recording write head to reduce transition curvature using a binary optimization algorithm utilizing the adjoint method

In this work, the possibility to reduce transition curvature in heat-assisted magnetic recording, using a conventional write head design, by shaping the recording field to counteract the circular profile of the heat pulse is investigated. Topology optimization of the head tip is performed in order to create the desired cross-track field profile for increasing distances from the write head tip. For the topology optimization, the adjoint method is utilized to calculate the necessary gradients and a binary optimization scheme is proposed. The optimizations are performed considering linearized material parameters reducing the computational complexity and the results are compared to optimizations incorporating the full non-linear material behavior. The optimized field profiles are evaluated for their influence on the read-back process. To do so, switching probability phase diagrams are calculated and the curvature parameter, the signal to noise ratio and the channel bit density are extracted. The presented results show that while transition curvature can be reduced by shaping the cross-track profile of the write field, this alone does not consequently lead to an improvement of the read back process. Therefore, completely new head designs, considering additional parameters have to be investigated.

Statistical analysis of read-back signals in magnetic recording on granular media

The comprehensive simulation of magnetic recording, including the write and read-back process, on granular media becomes computationally expensive if the magnetization dynamics of each grain are explicitly computed. In addition, in heat-assisted magnetic recording, the writing of a single track becomes a random process since the temperature must be considered and thermal noise is involved. Further, varying grain structures of various granular media must also be taken into account to obtain correct statistics for the final read-back signal. Hence, it requires many repetitions of the write process to investigate the mean signal as well as the noise. This work presents a method that improves the statistical evaluation of the whole recording process. The idea is to avoid writing the magnetization to one of its binary states. Instead, we assign each grain its probability of occupying one of its stable states, which can be calculated in advance in terms of a switching probability phase diagram. In the read-back process, we combine the probabilities to calculate a mean signal and its variance. Afterwards, repetitions on different media lead to the final read-back signal. Using a recording example, we show that the statistical behavior of the evaluated signal-to-noise ratio can be significantly improved by applying this probability mapping method, while the computational effort remains low.

Deep Learning-Aided Dynamic Read Thresholds Design for Multi-Level-Cell Flash Memories

The practical NAND flash memory suffers from various non-stationary noises that are difficult to be predicted. For example, the data retention noise induced channel offset is unknown during the readback process, and hence severely affects the reliability of data recovery from the memory cell. In this paper, we first propose a novel recurrent neural network (RNN)-based detector to effectively detect the data stored in the multi-level-cell (MLC) flash memory without the prior knowledge of the channel. However, compared with the conventional threshold detector, the proposed RNN detector introduces much longer read latency and more power consumption. To tackle this problem, we further propose an RNN-aided (RNNA) dynamic threshold detector, whose detection thresholds can be derived based on the outputs of the RNN detector. We thus only need to activate the RNN detector periodically when the system is idle. Moreover, to enable soft-decision decoding of error-correction codes, we first show how to obtain more read thresholds based on the hard-decision read thresholds derived from the RNN detector. We then propose integer-based reliability mappings based on the designed read thresholds, which can generate the soft information of the channel. Finally, we propose to apply density evolution (DE) combined with the differential evolution algorithm to optimize the read thresholds for low-density parity-check (LDPC) coded flash memory channels. Computer simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed RNNA dynamic read thresholds design, for both the uncoded and LDPC-coded flash memory channels, without any prior knowledge of the channel.

Efficiently reducing transition curvature in heat-assisted magnetic recording with state-of-the-art write heads

Curvatures of bit transitions on granular media are a serious problem for the read-back process. We address this fundamental issue and propose a possibility to efficiently reduce transition curvatures with state-of-the-art heat-assisted magnetic recording heads. We compare footprints of conventional with those of the proposed head design on different media, consisting of exchange coupled and single phase grains. Additionally, we investigate the impact of various recording parameters, such as the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the applied heat pulse and the coercivity gradient near the write temperature of the recording grains. The footprints are calculated with a coarse grained model, based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation. The presented simulations show a transition curvature reduction of up to 40%, in the case of a medium with exchange coupled grains and a heat pulse with a FWHM of 40 nm. We further give the reason for the straightening of the bit transitions, by means of basic considerations with regard to the effective recording time window of the write process. Besides the transition curvature reduction, the proposed head design yields an improvement of the transition jitter in both down-track and off-track directions.

Improving Communication During Cardiac ICU Multidisciplinary Rounds Through Visual Display of Patient Daily Goals.

To improve communication during daily cardiac ICU multidisciplinary rounds. Quality improvement methodology. Twenty-five-bed cardiac ICUs in an academic free-standing pediatric hospital. All patients admitted to the cardiac ICU. Implementation of visual display of patient daily goals through a write-down and read-back process. The Rounds Effectiveness Assessment and Communication Tool was developed based on the previously validated Patient Knowledge Assessment Tool to evaluate comprehension of patient daily goals. Rounds were assessed for each patient by the bedside nurse, nurse practitioner or fellow, and attending physician, and answers were compared to determine percent agreement per day. At baseline, percent agreement for patient goals was only 62%. After initial implementation of the daily goal write-down/read-back process, which was written on paper by the bedside nurse, the Rounds Effectiveness Assessment and Communication Tool survey revealed no improvement. With adaptation of the intervention so goals were written on whiteboards for visual display during rounds, the percent agreement improved to 85%. Families were also asked to complete a survey (1-6 Likert scale) of their satisfaction with rounds and understanding of daily goals before and after the intervention. Family survey results improved from a mean of 4.6-5.7. Parent selection of the best possible score for each question was 19% at baseline and 75% after the intervention. Visual display of patient daily goals via a write-down/read-back process improves comprehension of goals by all team members and improves parent satisfaction. The daily goal whiteboard facilitates consistent development of a comprehensive plan of care for each patient, fosters goal-directed care, and provides a checklist for providers and parents to review throughout the day.

Writer and Reader Head-to-Media Spacing Sensitivity Assessment in HAMR

We collate multiple experimental measurements of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) near-field transducer (NFT) and reader sensitivity measurements on spinstand to compare and contrast with the conventional perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR). The readback process shares many similarities, but differences appear due to the increased measured curvature of the prewritten track, which increases the observed pulsewidth (Pw50), lower readback amplitude due to reduced flux from the media transition (MrT), and increased coating thicknesses. We find that the reader head-to-media spacing (HMS) sensitivities and requirements converge toward the conventional scaling requirements. The HAMR write process is more complex due to the uncertainties associated with the optical properties and protrusion position of the NFT. However, accumulating multiple studies varying write HMS with coatings, NFT changes, and media changes, we consistently observe lower sensitivities compared with the conventional writer HMS, in line with modeled comparisons, leading to more relaxed requirements on the NFT clearance than the PMR write HMS. A 1.5 Tbpsi basic technology demonstration demo is shared using the HMS numbers in the bounds of the claims.

2-D Write/Read Channel Model for Bit-Patterned Media Recording With Large Media Noise

A 2-D write/read channel model, which can accurately capture the media, writer, and reader characteristics, is proposed and investigated for very-high-density bit-patterned media recording (BPMR) system with large media noise. For the write process, a 2-D data-dependent write channel combined with a micromagnetic model of the writer is investigated for BPMR. In order to better understand the proposed channel model, several 2-D patterns are investigated, and the corresponding write failure events are studied. It is observed that the write error rates (WERs) are different for different 2-D patterns due to the 2-D data-dependent nature of the write-in errors, even though the write failure rates are the same for these different 2-D patterns. For the readback process, a read channel, including media noise, is combined with the write channel, and the bit error rates (BERs) are studied for various 2-D patterns as a function of media jitter and write clock phase drift. It is observed that the 2-D pattern corresponding to four identical bits in a square pattern provides the best performance at a target BER of $10^{\mathrm {-2}}$ , because it can provide adequate tolerance to media noise and interference in down-track and cross-track (CT) directions. The difference between the WER and the BER after readback is studied for various 2-D patterns, and the pattern corresponding to 4 bits with transitions in the CT direction is found to exhibit the largest difference among the studied patterns due to the fact that inter-track interference is more severe than the inter-symbol interference. These results motivate possible inclusion of 2-D modulation codes in BPMR channel to avoid certain bit patterns.

A new kind of non-linear distortion in hard disk drives

This paper introduces a form of non-linear distortion (NLD) in rotating magnetic storage. This NLD is inherent to the read back process, and is caused by a non-linear field versus amplitude response in the read element. This is different than traditional NLD inherent to the write process, or non-linear “saturation” effects in the read back process. Because of these differences, standard methods of mitigating NLD performance losses do not work on magneto-resistive non-linear distortion (MR-NLD). As of today there is no method of mitigating performance losses due to MR-NLD in any shipping hard drive.

Measuring and understanding write width and off-track as a function of linear density in perpendicular recording

Multiple techniques have been developed and used to characterize the width of a written track in perpendicular recording. This work investigates written tracks using the WPE (write plus erase) test based on writing the main track at a given density and trimming both sides of the track multiple times with another density. The edge of the original track, after each trimming step, is characterized by a narrow band measurement of the read-back signal as a function of cross-track position. The use of a narrow band filter improves the test SNR and helps separate the track into 2 sections: A good region (track center) and a degraded region (track edge). Test and micro-magnetic analysis were used under multiple linear densities for the main track and for the trimming tracks. The results indicate that the WPE value decreases as the density increased between 200 kfci and 1500 kfci. For densities lower than 200 kfci and higher than 1500 kfci, the WPE value does not change significantly. When the main track was fixed at 200 kfci, increasing the trimming density resulted in a higher WPE. Using a micro-magnetic model and spin-stand tests, it is demonstrated that the apparent increase in WPE is caused by a region with opposite polarity at the edge of the main track (in the media) produced by the magneto-static (demagnetization) field generated by the main track. The section with opposite polarity is found to be coherent with the main track. During the read-back process, the field from the opposite polarity region in the media is integrated by the reader (read sensitivity function) and subtracted from the main track signal. The result is a loss in signal at the track edge that yields a larger WPE value. This phenomenon could have a direct impact on shingled recording.

Relaxed Head Media Spacing by High Resolution DDSV Reader at Multi- $\hbox{Tb/in}^2$ Areal Density

At 10 Tb/in2 areal density and bit aspect ratio (BAR) of 4, the 1 T bit length is only 4 nm. By proportional scaling, it requires the head media spacing (HMS) to be around 2 nm. In such a small spacing, it is extremely hard to squeeze in the medium overcoat and lubricant for having a reliable head disk interface. This small HMS demand is mainly determined by the readback process for the reader to have large signal intensity and high signal resolution. The differential dual spin valve (DDSV) reader incorporates a metallic gap layer between the free layers of two spin valves. The opposite pinned reference layers generate the differential operation and reproduce the pulse signal from the transition of perpendicular magnetizations. With the readback resolution defined by the thicknesses of gap layer and two free layers, the DDSV reader gains more resolution than the conventional reader. Unlike conventional reader also using two shields to define signal resolution, the shields of DDSV reader is only for the elimination of inter-symbol interference. This allows the shield to shield spacing of DDSV reader to be much larger, which has smaller shunting effect and promotes the signal strength. With stronger signal intensity and higher readback resolution, the DDSV reader is able to reproduce good quality signal at much higher HMS than the conventional reader.

Effect of Interlayer on Read Write Processes in Perpendicular Recording

The interlayer in perpendicular recording affects the distance between the head and the soft underlayer (SUL, or keeper) and thus plays an important role in overall recording performance. We investigate the effect of interlayer thickness on read write processes in perpendicular recording. We show that different media designs lead to different responses during the write process. On the other hand, the effect of the interlayer thickness on the read-back process is more complicated; reducing the interlayer thickness may not necessarily lead to better performance.

Analysis of waveform from perpendicular magnetic printed media

Edge printing is one of the perpendicular magnetic printing methods for writing servo signals with high speed, high accuracy and low cost. Sub-peaks of waveform from edge printed media are concerned as the sub-peaks can cause errors during the read-back process. In this study, in order to reduce sub-peaks, the influence of printing field, bit length and patterned magnetic layer thickness of master medium on sub-peaks is investigated by using a metal-evaporated (ME) tape as a slave medium. The results show that sub-peak to main peak ratio decreases with stronger printing field, smaller bit length and thicker patterned magnetic layer of master media.

Read and write processes, and head technology for perpendicular recording

In this paper, we present a review of the write and read processes in perpendicular magnetic recording. We also discuss their impact, based on recording physics aspects, on design considerations for writers and readers. For the write process, we discuss fundamental write-ability limitations as well as possible paths to ultra-high areal density perpendicular recording. The impacts of different medium designs, geometrical scaling, and the breakdown of scaling, both in terms of write-ability and transition curvature, are shown based on different modeling techniques, including analytical formulas, finite element modeling (FEM), and micromagnetic simulations. Basic design rules as well as alternative designs that enable high areal density are briefly explained. For the read-back process, the relation between reader signal to noise ratio (SNR) and resistance, as well as reader resistance shunt and spacing loss, are discussed. Finally, we use a simple example to illustrate, both from a write as well as a read-back perspective, the complicated nature of perpendicular recording systems, and how different medium designs impact recording head technology for ultra high density perpendicular recording.

Effect of soft underlayer magnetic anisotropy on perpendicular recording process

The presence of the soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) in perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media is essential for the application. It is commonly understood that the SUL provides the return flux path and enhances the writing field by enhancing the recording field from the write pole. However, SUL increases the magnetic noise during the read back process due to magnetic domain walls in the SUL. Hence, it is common to grow SUL with large uniaxial or unidirectional magnetic anisotropy field ( H k ) to reduce domain wall noise. In this paper, we explore the effect of increasing SUL H k on the recording process. We studied this effect by using the finite element micromagnetic simulation. Our simulation results show that the contribution of SUL to the writing field amplitude is reduced with increasing H k . This reduction in magnetic field from high H k SUL actually improves the recording performance due to the better field gradient at SUL. The simulation results are qualitatively consistent with the actual experimental data obtained from the Guzik measurement.

The role of SUL in readback and effect on linear density performance for perpendicular recording

We present a micromagnetic modeling on the readback process of perpendicular recording with soft underlayer (SUL). The effect of the SUL on readback has been investigated. The SUL imaging effect enhances the readback signal amplitude differently for high density and low density, making the rolloff of the readback signal faster with the linear density and, thus, deteriorating the readback performance by lowering the maximum achievable linear density. Most approaches for increasing the density limit via making the SUL imaging less effective are accompanied by the tradeoff of the write field loss. Reducing the head-medium spacing and the reader gap with an optimized spin valve reader stripe height are essential for maximizing the linear density limits imposed by the rolloff of the readback.

Millipede-a MEMS-based scanning-probe data-storage system

Ultrahigh storage densities of up to 1 Tb/in./sup 2/ or more can be achieved by using local-probe techniques to write, read back, and erase data in very thin polymer films. The thermomechanical scanning-probe-based data-storage concept called Millipede combines ultrahigh density, small form factor, and high data rate. After illustrating the principles of operation of the Millipede, a channel model for the analysis of the readback process is introduced, and analytical results are compared with experimental data. Furthermore, the arrangement of data-storage fields as well as dedicated fields for servo and timing control is discussed, and system aspects related to the readback process, multiplexing, synchronization, and position-error-signal generation for tracking are introduced. Finally, the application of (d,k) modulation coding as a means to further increase areal density is presented, and the effect on the user data rates discussed.

Media-to-sensor demagnetization matrix and its applications in micromagnetic simulation of readback process

Summary form only given. In a micromagnetic model for shielded GMR heads, it is necessary to calculate the media magnetic field inside the GMR sensor stack. It has been shown that the magnetic field in-between the two shields from magnetic charges underneath can be expressed as a Fourier series. In this work, we extend this method to derive a so-called media-to-sensor demagnetization matrix. The media magnetic field inside the GMR sensor stack is calculated from the convolution of the media-to-sensor demagnetization matrix and the media magnetization. The media-to-sensor demagnetization matrix is given by four-fold integrals of the scalar Green's function which can be expressed as a Fourier series. This matrix can be applied to both longitudinal and perpendicular recording. The media magnetization pattern is calculated by a media micromagnetic model. All examples here are for perpendicular recording. It can be seen that the AC background is much noisier than DC backgrounds. Also the effect of the soft underlayer on readback signal is studied by including the domain wall region of the soft underlayer in the micromagnetic simulation. It is seen that the magnetization ripple pattern in soft underlayer contributes a small part of the total signal but generates most of the noise.

Study on requirements for shielded current perpendicular to the plane spin valve heads based on dynamic read tests

Shielded current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) spin valve heads with about 20 Gbit/in.2 dimensions were fabricated and tested both quasistatically and dynamically. Dual synthetic spin valves with 2.3 mΩ μm2 of resistivity change and area product (dRA) was used. Quasistatic tests were conducted to determine the current efficiency loss caused by the specific CPP head structure. Dynamic tests were performed to examine the flux efficiency of the readback process in the spin valve element, in order to confirm the calculation results which take into account the increase of effective anisotropy field caused by the circular sense current field. Output voltage of about 260 μV (peak to peak) was successfully obtained from the dynamic tests. Finite element modeling analysis of current distribution and temperature rise, together with degradation experiments with excessive sense current, was conducted to predict the maximum allowable current density in the 200 Gbit/in.2 dimension, where read track width and stripe height are assumed to be 100 nm. With these results, requirements of spin valve material properties (dRA, RA) and the CPP structure was predicted. Essential issues to satisfy the requirements and possible solutions are also discussed.

Write induced instability in spin-valve heads

The output amplitude variation of a spin-valve (SV) head, induced by a write operation, was investigated. The characteristics well depended on the sign of the write current just before a readback process started. It indicated that the write-induced instability should come from a magnetization hysteresis of somewhere magnetic materials. The magnetic core, which consisted of shields and a yoke, was under suspicion as a candidate of the hysteretic origin by sense current, medium and external field excitation tests. Magnetization modeling of a head core revealed a possible mechanism of the instability, which was a shield-related hysteresis.

Magnetoresistive read nonlinearity correction by a frequency-domain approach

The readback process of a magnetoresistive (MR) head is intrinsically nonlinear. To correct the nonlinearity, a new technique based on a frequency-domain measurement is proposed. In this technique, square-wave patterns of certain frequencies are written as probing signals. The harmonics of the readback signals are then measured and used to derive the coefficients of a correction polynomial. Experimental results show that the correction method significantly reduces the effect of MR saturation on other parametric measurement such as nonlinear transition shift.