Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk include a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to direct received incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) configured to focus light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each of the PSPP elements has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment. Each metal bar has a width at least twice the width of the heating spot generated on the storage disk.

Abstract: An apparatus includes dielectric waveguide cores operating in transverse electric (TE) mode configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source and direct the incident light energy to a target. A near field transducer (NFT) is configured to focus the light energy received from the waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto a storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each PSPP element has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a surface of a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment with the waveguide core, a first end that receives the light energy from the waveguide core, and a second end exposed to the air bearing surface. The width of each metal bar tapers toward the first end.

Abstract: An HAMR NFT pin and main body structure comprising a pin material with high index of refraction and low absorption coefficient is disclosed. The disclosed NFT pin provides a comparable media absorption efficiency to the conventional Au pin while improving on overall NFT reliability. The protrusion of the NFT pin is reduced and overall life of the writer is prolonged. The main body may comprise any noble metal or metal alloy suitable for achieving optical resonance in an HAMR NFT. The cladding material may be selected such that its coefficient of thermal expansion closely matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pin material.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source and direct the incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) formed at an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. The NFT is configured to focus the light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements configured as plasmonic metal ridges. Each of the PSPP elements has a width approximately equivalent to the width of the heating spot and is disposed above a surface of a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores disposed near an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. Each waveguide core has a fine ridge feature on a first surface of the waveguide core and configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source. A near field transducer (NFT) is formed at the air bearing surface for focusing light energy received from the waveguide core and transmitting the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes at least one plasmonic metal element disposed above the fine ridge features of the waveguide cores to form an interface for delivering propagating surface plasmon polaritons (PSPPs) to the air bearing surface. Each fine ridge feature is configured with a width approximately equivalent to a width of the heating spot.

Abstract: A disk drive internal temperature control system is disclosed. The internal temperature control system includes a disk drive temperature monitor for determining a temperature of the disk drive and for providing a measure of the temperature of the disk drive and a disk drive temperature manager for managing the temperature of the disk drive based on the measure of the temperature of the disk drive. A temperature control component controls the temperature of the disk drive.

Abstract: A load/unload ramp spoiler for a hard disk drive is disclosed. One embodiment provides a load/unload ramp body having at least one load/unload ramp associated therewith, the at least one load/unload ramp for receiving at least one slider coupled with an actuator assembly. In addition, at least one spoiler is integrated with the load/unload ramp body to reduce detrimental local excitation of an airflow encountering the load/unload ramp body.

Abstract: A disk drive internal temperature control system is disclosed. The internal temperature control system includes a disk drive temperature monitor for determining a temperature of the disk drive and for providing a measure of the temperature of the disk drive and a disk drive temperature manager for managing the temperature of the disk drive based on the measure of the temperature of the disk drive. A temperature control component controls the temperature of the disk drive.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods that permit actuation of a tuning element via a magnetically coupled drive assembly, and which provide for isolation of contamination-sensitive optical surfaces within a hermetically sealed enclosure with a magnetically coupled drive assembly that is external to the enclosure. The apparatus of the invention comprises a tuning element positioned in a light beam, and a drive element magnetically coupled to the tuning element. The apparatus may further comprise a hermetically sealed enclosure, with the tuning element positioned within the hermetically sealed enclosure, and the drive element located outside the hermetically sealed enclosure. The methods comprise positioning a tuning element in a light beam, magnetically coupling a drive element to the tuning element; and actuating the tuning element via magnetic coupling between the tuning element and the drive element. The methods may further comprise enclosing the tuning element in a hermetically sealed container.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method that uses active thermalization of a reflective element to minimize losses and provide wavelength stability. The laser comprises first and second reflectors defining an external cavity, and a compensating member coupled to at least one of the reflectors and configured to thermally position one reflector with respect to the other reflector. The compensating member may be coupled directly to the first reflector and configured to position first reflector with respect to said second reflector. The thermal positioning may be carried out by a thermoelectric controller operatively coupled to the compensating member and configured to thermally adjust the compensating member by heating or cooling thereof. The laser apparatus may comprise a gain medium having first and second output facets and emitting a coherent beam from the first output facet along an optical path.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method that uses active thermalization of a reflective element to minimize losses and provide wavelength stability. The laser comprises first and second reflectors defining an external cavity, and a compensating member coupled to at least one of the reflectors and configured to thermally position one reflector with respect to the other reflector. The compensating member may be coupled directly to the first reflector and configured to position first reflector with respect to said second reflector. The thermal positioning may be carried out by a thermoelectric controller operatively coupled to the compensating member and configured to thermally adjust the compensating member by heating or cooling thereof. The laser apparatus may comprise a gain medium having first and second output facets and emitting a coherent beam from the first output facet along an optical path.

Abstract: Laser apparatus and methods that permit actuation of a tuning element via a magnetically coupled drive assembly, and which provide for isolation of contamination-sensitive optical surfaces within a hermetically sealed enclosure with a magnetically coupled drive assembly that is external to the enclosure. The apparatus of the invention comprises a tuning element positioned in a light beam, and a drive element magnetically coupled to the tuning element. The apparatus may further comprise a hermetically sealed enclosure, with the tuning element positioned within the hermetically sealed enclosure, and the drive element located outside the hermetically sealed enclosure. The methods comprise positioning a tuning element in a light beam, magnetically coupling a drive element to the tuning element; and actuating the tuning element via magnetic coupling between the tuning element and the drive element. The methods may further comprise enclosing the tuning element in a hermetically sealed container.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method that uses active thermalization of a reflective element to minimize losses and provide wavelength stability. The laser comprises first and second reflectors defining an external cavity, and a compensating member coupled to at least one of the reflectors and configured to thermally position one reflector with respect to the other reflector. The compensating member may be coupled directly to the first reflector and configured to position first reflector with respect to said second reflector. The thermal positioning may be carried out by a thermoelectric controller operatively coupled to the compensating member and configured to thermally adjust the compensating member by heating or cooling thereof. The laser apparatus may comprise a gain medium having first and second output facets and emitting a coherent beam from the first output facet along an optical path.

Abstract: A head disk assembly file has a tub-type basecasting with side walls, a floor and a pack of hard disks. The file also comprises an actuator having a set of head gimbal assemblies with magnetic heads. The actuator is secured to the file and is rotatable from a pre-merge position outside of the disks to an inner diameter position near the centers of the disks. A head merge tool comprising a merge comb with fingers interfaces with the file at a home position. In the home position, the merge comb is surrounded by but free of contact with the side walls, the floor and the head gimbal assemblies. The floor has a recess located beneath the merge comb. The recess extends from one side wall to the inner diameter of the disks and provides a clearance for a lowermost finger of the merge comb. A flexible cable extends from the actuator to the floor. A depression in the floor adjacent to the recess accommodates the flexible cable.