Abstract: There is disclosed a waveguide for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display. The waveguide comprises a plurality of optical structures in a photonic crystal. The plurality of optical structures are arranged in an array to provide at least two diffractive optical elements. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The plurality of optical structures respectively have a shape, when viewed in the plane of the waveguide, comprising twelve substantially straight sides, six of the sides having respective normal vectors at a first angle, and the other six of the sides having respective normal vectors at a second angle which is different to the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider includes an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source. The slider includes a waveguide core tapering along a light propagation direction from a first cross-sectional width to a second cross-sectional width, the waveguide configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate an output end in response to the received light. One or more cladding layers surround the waveguide core. At least one strip of plasmonic material is disposed between the waveguide core and at least one of the one or more cladding layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a waveguide for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display. The waveguide comprises a plurality of optical structures in a photonic crystal. The plurality of optical structures are arranged in an array to provide at least two diffractive optical elements. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The plurality of optical structures respectively have a shape, when viewed in the plane of the waveguide, comprising twelve substantially straight sides, six of the sides having respective normal vectors at a first angle, and the other six of the sides having respective normal vectors at a second angle which is different to the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source and a waveguide. The waveguide comprises a waveguide core tapering along a light propagation direction from a first cross-sectional width to a second cross-sectional width. The second cross sectional width is smaller than the first cross sectional width. The waveguide core comprises a trench at an output end. The waveguide comprises at least one cladding layer surrounding the waveguide core. The waveguide is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the received light.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A near-field transducer comprising a peg is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider, and an optical waveguide of the slider is configured to couple light from a light source to the near-field transducer. The peg comprises a hyperbolic metamaterial, and the near-field transducer may further include an enlarged portion from which the peg extends, where the enlarged portion may also comprise a hyperbolic metamaterial.

Abstract: A recording head has a magnetic write transducer proximate a side of a plasmonic gap waveguide. The magnetic write transducer has a first write pole section that tapers in a crosstrack direction and downtrack direction to form a tapered tip. The first write pole section includes a high-moment, seed layer on one side. A second write pole section is coupled to the first write pole section. The second write pole section extends a second distance away from the media-facing surface less than that of the first write pole section. A tip of the second write pole section is tapered in the crosstrack and downtrack directions.

Abstract: A near-field transducer has an enlarged portion with a peg extending towards a media-facing surface. Two reflectors are located co-planar with near-field transducer and located on either side of the near-field transducer in a crosstrack direction. The two reflectors are separated by a gap proximate the peg of the near-field transducer. The two reflectors each include a first edge at the media facing surface and a second edge at an acute angle to the media-facing surface. The second edge faces the near-field transducer. The two reflectors concentrate the light on the peg of the near-field transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A near-field transducer comprising a peg is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider, and an optical waveguide of the slider is configured to couple light from a light source to the near-field transducer. The peg comprises a hyperbolic metamaterial, and the near-field transducer may further include an enlarged portion from which the peg extends, where the enlarged portion may also comprise a hyperbolic metamaterial.

Abstract: A recording head has a primary waveguide core with an input end at an input surface of the recording head and extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. A secondary waveguide core is separated from the primary waveguide core by a gap such that light is evanescently coupled from the primary waveguide core to the secondary waveguide core. The secondary waveguide core has first and second bends such that an output end of the secondary waveguide core is parallel to and separated from the primary waveguide core in a cross-track direction. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization of light in the secondary waveguide core such that polarization-rotated light exits the secondary waveguide core at the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A dual-slot waveguide receives energy from a coupling waveguide. The dual-slot waveguide includes first and second light propagating regions of low-index material located side-by-side in a direction normal to a light propagation direction. Inner sides of the first and second light propagating regions are separated by a first region of a high-index material. Second and third regions of the high-index material surround outer sides of the first and second light propagating regions. A near-field transducer receives portions of the energy from the first and second light propagating regions.

Abstract: A dual-slot waveguide receives energy from a coupling waveguide. The dual-slot waveguide includes first and second light propagating regions of low-index material located side-by-side in a direction normal to a light propagation direction. Inner sides of the first and second light propagating regions are separated by a first region of a high-index material. Second and third regions of the high-index material surround outer sides of the first and second light propagating regions. A near-field transducer receives portions of the energy from the first and second light propagating regions.