Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording device is disposed in a hermetically sealed enclosure. The device includes a slider comprising a reader, a writer, and an optical waveguide configured to couple light from a light source to a near-field transducer situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider. The near-field transducer comprises an enlarged portion and a peg extending from the enlarged portion in a direction of the air bearing surface. A fill gas is provided within the enclosure. The fill gas comprises a mixture of a low-density, inert gas and at least one gas that oxidizes carbon, where the total carbon oxidizing gas concentration of the fill gas is 3-50% by volume. In certain embodiments, the fill gas comprises a hydrogen concentration sufficient to retard oxidation of the peg when the peg is at an operating temperature associated with write operations.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording device is disposed in a hermetically sealed enclosure. The device includes a slider comprising a reader, a writer, and an optical waveguide configured to couple light from a light source to a near-field transducer situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider. The near-field transducer comprises an enlarged portion and a peg extending from the enlarged portion in a direction of the air bearing surface. A fill gas is provided within the enclosure. The fill gas comprises a mixture of a low-density, inert gas and at least one gas that oxidizes carbon, where the total carbon oxidizing gas concentration of the fill gas is 3-50% by volume. In certain embodiments, the fill gas comprises a hydrogen concentration sufficient to retard oxidation of the peg when the peg is at an operating temperature associated with write operations.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording device is disposed in a hermetically sealed enclosure. The device includes a slider comprising a reader, a writer, and an optical waveguide configured to couple light from a light source to a near-field transducer situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider. The near-field transducer comprises an enlarged portion and a peg extending from the enlarged portion in a direction of the air bearing surface. A fill gas is provided within the enclosure. The fill gas comprises a mixture of a low-density, inert gas and at least one gas that oxidizes carbon, where the total carbon oxidizing gas concentration of the fill gas is 3-50% by volume. In certain embodiments, the fill gas comprises a hydrogen concentration sufficient to retard oxidation of the peg when the peg is at an operating temperature associated with write operations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider comprising an air bearing surface (ABS) and configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider includes a writer and a reader at the ABS, a near-field transducer (NFT) proximate the writer, and an optical waveguide optically coupled to a laser source and the NFT. The slider further includes a sensor configured to contact and sense thermal asperities of a magnetic recording medium. The sensor is formed from one of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt.

Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT) the NFT includes a bulk of at least one plasmonic material and at least one sacrificial metal; and a surface layer that includes an oxide of the at least one sacrificial metal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider comprising an air bearing surface (ABS) and configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider includes a writer and a reader at the ABS, a near-field transducer (NFT) proximate the writer, and an optical waveguide optically coupled to a laser source and the NFT. The slider further includes a sensor configured to contact and sense thermal asperities of a magnetic recording medium. The sensor is formed from one of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having a media-facing surface and that is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a write pole, a heatsink layer, and a diffusing metal. The write pole includes two or more sides extending into the slider and a pole tip at the media-facing surface. The heatsink layer is proximate at least part of the two or more sides of the write pole, and a first portion of the heatsink layer is proximate the pole tip. The diffusing metal is disposed proximate the write pole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming one or more transducer elements in a transducer region of a slider by electrodepositing one or more metal ions from an ionic liquid solvent, and related sliders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming one or more transducer elements in a transducer region of a slider by electrodepositing one or more metal ions from an ionic liquid solvent, and related sliders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming one or more transducer elements in a transducer region of a slider by electrodepositing one or more metal ions from an ionic liquid solvent, and related sliders.