Integration of Novel Materials for Improved HAMR 3.0 ADC and Reliability

Current research project

Plasmonics are a relatively new technology and have a wide range of applications that have not yet been fully realised. We are fast approaching the limit of hard drive data storage capability. By integrating lasers into the hard drive design, it can greatly expand the anount of memory able to be stored through the phenomena of plasmons. Heat Assisted Memory Recording (HAMR) utilises this ‘plasmonic resonance’ behaviour and is an exciting area to be in as it is set to create a new standard for memory storage ability. My research looks at the many different materials needed to integrate plasmons, from heat sinks to plasmonic resonator alloys.

Biography

I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a Masters in Physics. After working as a Process Engineer at Seagate Technology for a year, I joined PIADS in 2019 and am the first to have undertaken an EngD (Doctorate of Engineering) project within my CDT. I wanted to get more involved with the Research and Development side of HAMR technology and through the EngD pathway, I am able to work as a Research Engineer in Seagate Technology: combining my academic interests with valuable industrial experience. I am part of a team in the Seagate factory, with my work being rooted in the material research which overlaps between QUB and Seagate on HAMR development.

Research interests

Beyond plasmonic integration technologies, I hope to enjoy a career in material exploration in other fields (from renewable energy to mobile phone design)

linkedin.com/in/tiernan-mccaughery