AIR Option 1: Technology Translation - Nanoscale Optical Antenna for Next Generation Ultra-high Density Data Storage

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译纳米光学天线的科学和技术，以填补热辅助磁记录（HAMR）的差距。纳米光学天线的转化科学技术具有以下独特的特点：纳米光学天线将光高效地聚焦到纳米尺寸，并且可以使用工业标准技术进行大规模生产。 HAMR已被确定为下一代数据存储技术。HAMR的关键部件是近场传感器（NFT），用于产生数十纳米大小的光斑以进行局部加热。与其他NFT设计相比，所提出的纳米级光学天线是用作NFT以提供高效率和小光斑的理想候选者。该项目通过验证概念设计和分析，原型开发以及全功能NFT的演示来实现这一目标。我们的合作伙伴关系涉及高级存储技术联盟（ASTC），数据存储公司的联盟，在原型开发和商业化方面提供指导，因为它们涉及将技术沿着一条可能导致竞争性商业现实的道路转化的潜力。潜在的经济影响预计将影响下一代硬盘驱动器，目前每年有6亿台的市场，这将有助于美国在数据存储行业的竞争力。长期的社会影响将是科学和工程以及人力资源开发。该项目的成果将直接影响下一代数据存储技术的发展。该项目还将推动相关科学和工程的发展。高效地将光集中到纳米级光斑的能力不仅对HAMR技术的发展有着重大影响，而且对从生物/化学传感到纳米光子器件的许多其他领域也有着重大影响。基础研究的结果将通过期刊出版物、会议演示和网站（包括普渡大学的nanoHUB门户网站）广泛传播。拟议的研究还将有助于人力资源开发，包括为研究生和本科生提供跨学科领域的培训和技术转让经验，将研究成果与课程相结合，向高中生推广，以及从代表性不足的群体中招募和教育学生。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating science and technology in nanoscale optical antenna to fill the gap for Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR). The translated science and technology in nanoscale optical antenna has the following unique features: the nanoscale optical antenna focuses light into nanoscale size with high efficiency, and moreover, can be manufactured using industrial standard technology for mass production. HAMR has been identified as the next generation data storage technology. The key component in HAMR is a near field transducer (NFT) for producing a light spot of tens of nanometers in size for localized heating. The proposed nanoscale optical antenna is an ideal candidate for being used as the NFT to provide high efficiency and a small light spot when compared to the other NFT designs. The project accomplishes this goal by proof-of concept design and analysis, prototype development, and demonstration of a fully functional NFT. Our partnership engages Advanced Storage Technology Consortium (ASTC), the consortium of the data storage companies, to provide guidance in the prototype development and commercialization as they pertain to the potential to translate the technology along a path that may result in a competitive commercial reality. The potential economic impact is expected to affect the next generation hard disk drives which currently have a market of 600 million units per year, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in the data storage industry. The societal impact, long term, will be on science and engineering and human resource development. The outcome of this project will have direct impact on the development of the next generation data storage technology. The project will also advance the relevant science and engineering. The ability to concentrate light into a nanoscale spot with high efficiency has significant impact not only on the HAMR technology development but also many other areas, from biological/chemical sensing to nano-photonics devices. Results of fundamental research will be broadly disseminated by journal publications, conference presentations, and websites, including Purdue's nanoHUB web portal. The proposed research will also contribute to human resource development, including providing graduate and undergraduate students with trainings in interdisciplinary areas and experience in technology transfer, integrating research outcomes with curriculum, outreaching to high school students, and recruiting and educating students from under-represented groups.