Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmon generator, in which a surface plasmon is excited by application of light. The plasmon generator extends along one direction. The plasmon generator includes a first end surface that is positioned on one end in the one direction and at which near-field light is generated along with the excitation of the plasmon; and a second cross section that is substantially parallel to the first end surface and is away from the first end surface. The first end surface has a polygonal shape that does not have a substantially acute inner angle. The second cross section has an upper part that has a shape substantially the same as or similar to that of the first end surface and a flare shaped lower part that is connected to the upper part and has a width that increases as it is far from the upper part.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a magnetic pole having an end exposed on an air-bearing surface; a waveguide; a plasmon generator formed essentially of a first metallic material, and having a first region and a second region, the first region extending backward from the air-bearing surface to a first position, and the second region being coupled with the first region at the first position and extending backward from the first position; and a metallic layer filling a part in the second region, and formed essentially of a second metallic material that has a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first metallic material.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a magnetic pole having an end exposed on an air-bearing surface; a waveguide; a plasmon generator formed essentially of a first metallic material, and having a first region and a second region, the first region extending backward from the air-bearing surface to a first position, and the second region being coupled with the first region at the first position and extending backward from the first position; and a metallic layer filling a part in the second region, and formed essentially of a second metallic material that has a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first metallic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmon generator, in which a surface plasmon is excited by application of light. The plasmon generator extends along one direction. The plasmon generator includes a first end surface that is positioned on one end in the one direction and at which near-field light is generated along with the excitation of the plasmon; and a second cross section that is substantially parallel to the first end surface and is away from the first end surface. The first end surface has a polygonal shape that does not have a substantially acute inner angle. The second cross section has an upper part that has a shape substantially the same as or similar to that of the first end surface and a flare shaped lower part that is connected to the upper part and has a width that increases as it is far from the upper part.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head of the invention includes: a waveguide; a magnetic pole; a cladding layer provided between the waveguide and the magnetic pole; and a plasmon generator embedded in the cladding layer. The cladding layer includes a first cladding section located on a side close to an air-bearing surface and a second cladding section located on a side far from the air-bearing surface, and a thermal expansion coefficient of the first cladding section is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient of the second cladding section.