Read/write head and method for magnetic reading and magneto-optical writing on a data storage medium
US5986978A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/3996
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A read/write head is structurally significantly less complicated than optical reading devices, requires minimal or no optical alignment, capable of writing at higher track densities, and has better control of the data and servo tracks than conventional magnetic heads. The head is also capable of using an available heat source and a relatively weak magnetic field, such as 300 Oersteds, to write data on a data storage medium. The combination of a magnetic read sensor with a near field magneto-optical (MO) write element creates a hybrid read/write head capable of high density recording with a high signal to noise ratio. The integration of the MO write element can be accomplished by various alternative or complementary methods. One method is to mount a heat source, such as a laser or light source on a slider with minimal or no additional optical components. Another method is to form an optical channel (or waveguide) in the slider and/or in the magnetic write element for directing a laser beam onto a target spot on, or within the data storage medium. Since magneto-optical recording requires a magnetic field of a few hundred Oersteds, the head utilizes write poles of magnetic materials o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.