A simple and effective semi-circle resonator system for bit-patterned HAMR

• Published in: Physics letters. A Vol. 391; p. 127129
• Main Authors: Chen, Wei, Chen, Jincai, Gan, Zongsong, Ma, Yaxiong, Luo, Ke, Huang, Zhenxing, He, Yang, Lu, Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.03.2021
• Subjects: Bit-patterned media; Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR); High areal density; Light delivery system; Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR); High areal density; Light delivery system; Bit-patterned media
• ISSN: 0375-9601; 1873-2429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2020.127129

The light delivery system with a light spot is the key component of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). We proposed a semi-circle resonator system as the light delivery system for HAMR. It consists of only a semi-circle resonator, a reflecting mirror, and a near-field transducer (NFT). The resonator can provide a stable enhanced optical field to excite the localized surface plasmon of NFT without complex focusing lenses or external controls. Numerical results show that the size of light spots can be 20–40 nm with a good field enhancement. Combined with bit-patterned media, the performance can be improved several times than the thin-film structure. The thermal profile of the light spot shows that the areal density of HAMR can further improve beyond the limit size of light spots, and the recording bit can be reduced to 12×12 nm2 corresponding to the areal density of about 4 Tb/in2. •The semi-circle resonator system for HAMR is simple without complex focusing lenses or external controls.•The profile of light spots can be shrunk to 20-30 nm with a good field enhancement for the high areal density.•The potential areal density can further improve beyond the limit size of light spots in the bit-patterned HAMR.