Nano-scale simulation technologies

Physical simulation technologies are employed in various areas of HDD development and design. These include structural analysis (vibration, impact shock), thermal fluid analysis (thermal deformation, heat dissipation), fluid analysis (head flight, airflow within a drive, contamination behavior), magnetic field analysis (read heads, write heads, motors), electromagnetic field analysis (signal transmission, EMI, immunity), and manufacturing process analysis (plating, ion milling, deposition). Thermal fluid analysis and manufacturing process analysis require nano-order precision to further increase HDD recording density. To meet this requirement, Fujitsu has developed and is actively using simulation techniques for analyzing head element protrusion and the ion milling and deposition processes. This paper focuses on the analysis of head element protrusion to minimize head flying height and the analysis of ion milling and deposition processes to further reduce the size of head element structures, with the overall aim of further increasing HDD recording density.