Numerical Simulations on Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR)

Mentor: Randall Victora, Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringComputer hardware continues to shrink every year, and magnetic hard drives are no exception. In January of 2009, Western Digital released the first 2-terabyte drive. High data density is very important for data centers where size, heat, and power are key. My research investigates a method of writing magnetic recording media that some believe promises even higher densities. Through the use of a computer simulated model of a single magnetic grain or "bit," I was able to observe the effect of a circularly polarized, microwave frequency magnetic field on the switching behavior of a bit. By taking advantage of the microwaves, I was able to design a grain system that can be made smaller while still maintaining resistance to thermal noise. To do this, I optimized various parameters of a multilayer composite recording media model that, in conjunction with the microwaves, allows for a decrease in minimum switching magnetic field magnitude of about 30%