Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR write apparatus includes a pole, at least one coil, a waveguide, a near-field transducer (NFT) and at least one antireflective mechanism. The pole writes to a region of the media and includes a media-facing surface. The coil(s) energize the pole. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and includes a core and cladding. The waveguide is for directing a portion of the energy toward the NFT, which is located in a transmission direction from the core of the waveguide. The antireflective mechanism(s) are in at least one of a first position in the waveguide, a second position in the NFT and a third position between the waveguide and the NFT.

Abstract: A focusing structure including an array of localized optical alterations that alter the propagation of light through the waveguide to diffractively focus the light as it exits the focusing structure. The array of optical alterations may be formed along either a straight or a curved line within a cross section of the focusing structure. In energy assisted magnetic recording apparatus a laser beam propagates through the waveguide to a near field transducer. The waveguide comprises a focusing element that includes an array of localized optical alterations that alter the propagation of the laser beam through the waveguide to diffractively focus the laser beam approximately at the near field transducer.