Optimal Sizing of CPP-GMR Read Sensors for Magnetic Recording Densities of 1–4 Tb/in²

Several studies have confirmed that current-perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) technology is appropriate for next-generation read sensors for ultrahigh areal densities (ADs) of data storage applications. Since the physical dimension of the read sensor is a crucial factor for developing the reader to overcome its limitations, this paper proposes an optimal sizing prediction of the CPP-GMR read heads for ADs of 1-4 Tb/in 2 . Micromagnetic modelling was performed in the simulations. The appropriate length of the stripe height (SH) and the read width (RW) of the readers was estimated based on a consideration of sensor outputs including the readback signal, asymmetry parameter, dibit response and power spectral density (PSD) profile. It was found that a variation of SH and RW lengths had an influential impact on the readback signal waveform. Those affectations were further characterized through the echoes of dibit response showing that shortening the SH length or increasing the RW length could improve the resolution and reduce the distortion occurring in the readback signal. Moreover, the PSD profile indicated that the reader operation became more stable at shorter SH lengths or longer RW lengths. The head response spectrum was also examined. In addition, the magnitude of the bias current was studied in relation to the head response. Lastly, the optimal physical dimension (SH × RW) of the CPP-GMR readers for ADs of 1-4 Tb/in 2 was predicted to be ( 40×48 ) nm, ( 28×29 ) nm, ( 25×26 ) nm and ( 19×20 ) nm, respectively. The results can be utilized to design the CPP-GMR sensors at ultrahigh magnetic recording capacities.

*Published in the IEEE Magnetics Society Section within IEEE Access.

View this article on IEEE Xplore

 

Design and Fabrication of Magnetic System Using Multi-Material Topology Optimization

This paper presents the design and fabrication schemes of a magnetic system consisting of segmented permanent magnet (PM) blocks, back-iron and frame structures. Here, a frame structure aims to bind PM blocks and iron structure. Non-intuitive design of segmented PMs and back-iron are obtained using multi-material topology optimization formulation. Subsequently, a non-magnetic frame structure is designed through a post-processing procedure, which is proposed using the smoothed fields of optimized PM and back-iron densities. Final design results are converted into computer-aided design (CAD) models and fabricated using conventional or additive manufacturing techniques. Segmented PM blocks, and back-iron structures are processed using water-jet cutting and wire electrical discharge machining, respectively. A frame structure is fabricated by additive manufacturing using a multi-jet printing machine. Using the proposed schemes, two magnetic systems are successfully designed and fabricated, respectively, for maximizing the magnetic field inside a rectangular cavity, and maximizing the magnetic force generated with a C-core electromagnet.

Published in the IEEE Magnetics Society Section within IEEE Access.

View this article on IEEE Xplore