For a long time, WDC opposed the use of laser-assisted magnetic plate heating (HAMR) technology, which was actively but not very successfully promoted by rival Seagate Technology. Western Digital Corporation relied on MAMR - the technology of microwave exposure to a magnetic plate in order to increase recording density. Now company representatives admit that being tied to one or another technology is not so important, and both have the right to be implemented in the WDC production program.
It should be recalled that in mid-September, in comments to the German publication Representatives of Western Digital made it clear that the company is not yet ready for mass use of even MAMR, and the previously announced 18 TB hard drives will not use this technology, but some carefully hidden alternative.
The situation changed again at the event for investors, which took place this week. Western Digital was represented by CFO Bob Eulau and President of Technology and Strategy Siva Sivaram. The latter told the event host that the 18 TB hard drives being prepared for mass deliveries already use a derivative version of MAMR technology, combining it with a magnetic platter structure that implies perpendicular magnetic particle orientation (PMR). Samples of these hard drives will begin shipping to customers two to three weeks before Gregorian Christmas.
Along the way, WDC is preparing to begin shipping samples of 20 TB hard drives, which will also use a derivative version of MAMR, but in combination with a βtiledβ magnetic platter (SMR) structure. Company representatives explain that MAMR requires lower costs for development on a mass production scale, since the use of HAMR requires other components, other magnetic plates, laser heads and other expensive innovations.
In the long term, WDC sees no obstacles to using HAMR in its hard drives. Customers donβt care what technology the hard drive they purchase uses, what matters is the quality and characteristics of the product itself. The company expects to increase the capacity of hard drives to 50 TB, and it does not particularly care whether it will have to use MAMR or HAMR technology to achieve this. In the near future, however, it is looking to squeeze the full potential out of the combination of PMR and MAMR.
Source: 3dnews.ru