Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a magnetic head having: a near field transducer, an optical waveguide for illumination of the near field transducer, and an anti-reflection block positioned along the optical waveguide farther from a media facing side of the magnetic head than the near field transducer. The anti-reflection block is positioned a distance from the near field transducer to destructively interfere with light reflected away from the near field transducer. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a near field transducer; an adhesion layer on a media facing side of the near field transducer, the adhesion layer comprising Ni and Cr; and a protective layer on a media facing side of the adhesion layer. Other systems and methods are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes a main pole, a waveguide and a NFT disposed between the main pole and the waveguide. The NFT includes an antenna, and the antenna includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be made of a material having a higher melting point than the material of the first portion. Having the second portion helps reduce the temperature rise of the NFT and reduce the laser power applied to the NFT.

Abstract: A near field transducer (NFT) for heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) having a dual waveguide excitation system located adjacent to opposite sides of a plasmonic antenna. The light to one of the waveguides can be passed through a phase shifter so that its electric field is 180 degrees out of phase with that of the other waveguide. In this way, the energy from each of the waveguides can be delivered to the plasmonic antenna in an additive manner while heat-sinking schemes can be implemented in the orthogonal direction for greatly improving the optical efficiency and thermal stability of the NFT.

Abstract: A method for annealing a metal antenna of a near field optical transducer of a magnetic write element without inadvertently heat damaging the read element. A heating element is placed within a write head build in a cerf region outside of the active area of the read and write heads. A layer of thermally conductive, electrically insulating material is formed over the heating element to separate the heating element from the antenna. The thermally conductive, electrically insulating layer is preferably in contact with the antenna. A current can be applied to the heating element to heat the antenna to a temperature that is at or above the operating temperature of the optical transducer. After annealing, the heater element can be removed by the lapping process that is used to define the media facing surface of the head.

Abstract: A method for annealing a metal antenna of a near field optical transducer of a magnetic write element without inadvertently heat damaging the read element. A heating element is placed within a write head build in a cerf region outside of the active area of the read and write heads. A layer of thermally conductive, electrically insulating material is formed over the heating element to separate the heating element from the antenna. The thermally conductive, electrically insulating layer is preferably in contact with the antenna. A current can be applied to the heating element to heat the antenna to a temperature that is at or above the operating temperature of the optical transducer. After annealing, the heater element can be removed by the lapping process that is used to define the media facing surface of the head.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR device for use in a magnetic reading system. The HAMR device has a primary waveguide extending from a media facing surface to a surface opposite the media facing surface. In one embodiment, the HAMR head has a secondary waveguide having a first and second end positioned within the HAMR head. The secondary waveguide is positioned near the primary waveguide, and the first and second ends of the secondary waveguide are non-reflecting. A thermal sensor is coupled to the secondary waveguide, and responds only to optical power fluctuations in the primary waveguide. In another embodiment, the HAMR head has a second thermal sensor rather than a secondary waveguide. The first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor are coupled together to act as one optical power sensor and are disposed on the primary waveguide.

Abstract: An NFT is used in a HAMR magnetic write head. The NFT functions as a resonant circuit when in operation. The resonant circuit, which comprises the NFT, is a split-ring resonator (SRR) that has a capacitive portion and an inductive portion. The inductance and the capacitance results in a very well focused ultra-small spot-size concentrated on the magnetic media. The focus occurs at the capacitive area of the NFT with minimal to no impact upon the write pole of the HAMR magnetic head.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR device for use in a magnetic reading system. The HAMR device has a primary waveguide extending from a media facing surface to a surface opposite the media facing surface. In one embodiment, the HAMR head has a secondary waveguide having a first and second end positioned within the HAMR head. The secondary waveguide is positioned near the primary waveguide, and the first and second ends of the secondary waveguide are non-reflecting. A thermal sensor is coupled to the secondary waveguide, and responds only to optical power fluctuations in the primary waveguide. In another embodiment, the HAMR head has a second thermal sensor rather than a secondary waveguide. The first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor are coupled together to act as one optical power sensor and are disposed on the primary waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a HAMR head having not only a tapered core for the SSC, but additionally a secondary confinement material in the cladding surrounding the core taper. The secondary confinement material prevents diverging light from the laser diode from spreading so that the light is coupled into the core of the SSC. The secondary confinement material is a symmetric structure that surrounds the core of the SSC on all sides so that high conversion efficiency is achieved for short taper lengths.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a magnetic head having a write portion having a main pole, a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having outer regions extending from an active region, and an optical waveguide for illumination of the near field transducer, wherein the conductive metal film extends in a cross track direction for a width at least 200% greater than a width of the active region of the conductive metal film, wherein a portion of the main pole extends along the conductive metal film in a cross track direction for a width at least 200% greater than the width of the active region of the conductive metal film.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a write pole, and a near field transducer adjacent the write pole. The near field transducer includes a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. The notch diffusion barrier layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of Rh, W, Mo, Ru, Ir, Co, Ni, Pt, B, and alloys thereof. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a write pole, and a near field transducer adjacent the write pole. The near field transducer includes a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. The notch diffusion barrier layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of Rh, W, Mo, Ru, Ir, Co, Ni, Pt, B, and alloys thereof. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a HAMR head. An insulating layer isolates the NFT from the magnetic lip of the magnetic pole. A noble metal alloy diffusion barrier layer is present between the insulating layer and the magnetic lip to prevent diffusion from the insulating layer into the magnetic lip. The noble metal alloy has a melting point of greater than about 1065 degrees Celsius, and the noble metals may be selected from Au, Pt, Ir, Re and Ru. The alloying elements comprise less than 10 percent of the alloy. The alloying elements can include Rh, W, Mo, Ni, Pt, Co, B, Ru and combinations thereof. The diffusion barrier layer may surround the magnetic lip, may surround the insulating layer, or may simply be at the interface of the insulating layer and the magnetic lip.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a write pole, a near field transducer, a waveguide for delivering light to the near field transducer, and a first heating device positioned between the write pole and at least one of the waveguide and the near field transducer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a HAMR head having not only a tapered core for the SSC, but additionally a secondary confinement material in the cladding surrounding the core taper. The secondary confinement material prevents diverging light from the laser diode from spreading so that the light is coupled into the core of the SSC. The secondary confinement material is a symmetric structure that surrounds the core of the SSC on all sides so that high conversion efficiency is achieved for short taper lengths.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a HAMR head. An insulating layer isolates the NFT from the magnetic lip of the magnetic pole. A noble metal alloy diffusion barrier layer is present between the insulating layer and the magnetic lip to prevent diffusion from the insulating layer into the magnetic lip. The noble metal alloy has a melting point of greater than about 1065 degrees Celsius, and the noble metals may be selected from Au, Pt, Ir, Re and Ru. The alloying elements comprise less than 10 percent of the alloy. The alloying elements can include Rh, W, Mo, Ni, Pt, Co, B, Ru and combinations thereof. The diffusion barrier layer may surround the magnetic lip, may surround the insulating layer, or may simply be at the interface of the insulating layer and the magnetic lip.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a magnetic write head including a media facing surface and a surface opposite the media facing surface. The magnetic write head also includes a SSC having a first end extending to the surface opposite the media facing surface. The first end of the SSC has at least two tips. The multiple-tipped first end of the SSC is configured to receive a laser beam and the laser beam coupling efficiency is improved by having the multiple-tipped first end.

Abstract: An NFT is used in a HAMR magnetic write head. The NFT functions as a resonant circuit when in operation. The resonant circuit, which comprises the NFT, is a split-ring resonator (SRR) that has a capacitive portion and an inductive portion. The inductance and the capacitance results in a very well focused ultra-small spot-size concentrated on the magnetic media. The focus occurs at the capacitive area of the NFT with minimal to no impact upon the write pole of the HAMR magnetic head.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a HAMR device having two temperature sensors. The first temperature sensor is disposed adjacent a waveguide and is about two or more micrometers away from an air bearing surface. The first temperature sensor has a length, a width and a thickness, and the length is greater than the width and the thickness. The length of the first temperature sensor is substantially perpendicular to the waveguide.