Abstract: An apparatus including a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, the near field transducer including an electrically conductive nitride; a first magnetic pole; and a heat sink, a diffusion barrier layer, or both positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the heat sink, the diffusion barrier or both include rhodium (Rh) or an alloy thereof; ruthenium (Ru) or an alloy thereof titanium (Ti) or an alloy thereof tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof tungsten (W) or an alloy thereof borides; nitrides; transition metal oxides; or palladium (Pd) or an alloy thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus including a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, the near field transducer comprising silver (Ag) and at least one other element or compound; a first magnetic pole; and a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the heat sink includes: rhodium (Rh) or an alloy thereof; ruthenium (Ru) or an alloy thereof; titanium (Ti) or an alloy thereof; tantalum (Ta) or an alloy thereof; tungsten (W) or an alloy thereof; borides; nitrides; transition metal oxides; or palladium (Pd) or an alloy thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus illustratively includes a return pole (RP) and a shield. The RP has a first RP magnetic layer, a second RP magnetic layer, and a RP non-magnetic layer. The RP non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the RP first and second magnetic layers. The shield has a first shield magnetic layer, a second shield magnetic layer, and a shield non-magnetic layer. The shield non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the shield first and second magnetic layers. A method illustratively includes generating magnetic flux and collecting the magnetic flux through an inner magnetic shell.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first magnetic pole, a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, and a diffusion barrier positioned between the near field transducer and the first magnetic pole. The diffusion barrier can be positioned adjacent to the magnetic pole or the near field transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide having a core layer, a near field transducer having an end positioned adjacent to a first surface, a first magnetic pole having an end positioned adjacent to the first surface, and a side lobe blocker adjacent to the first surface and having portions on opposite sides of the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the side lobe blocker forms an aperture at an end of the core layer adjacent to the first surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transducer including a plasmonic funnel having first and second ends with the first end having a smaller cross-sectional area than the second end, and a first section positioned adjacent to the first end of the plasmonic funnel, and a first waveguide having a core, positioned to cause light in the core to excite surface plasmons on the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first magnetic pole, a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, and a diffusion barrier positioned between the near field transducer and the first magnetic pole. The diffusion barrier can be positioned adjacent to the magnetic pole or the near field transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide having a core layer, a near field transducer having an end positioned adjacent to a first surface, a first magnetic pole having an end positioned adjacent to the first surface, and a side lobe blocker adjacent to the first surface and having portions on opposite sides of the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the side lobe blocker forms an aperture at an end of the core layer adjacent to the first surface.

Abstract: An electrical lap guide having a first layer, the first layer including a material having a first resistivity, the first layer having first and second contact regions for electrically connecting the electrical lap guide to electrical leads; a second layer, the second layer including a material having a second resistivity, wherein the electrical lapping guide has a lapping axis and a layered axis, the layered axis being perpendicular to the lapping axis, the electrical lapping guide has an air bearing plane, the air bearing plane being perpendicular to the lapping axis, the second layer is disposed adjacent to a portion of the first layer in the direction of the layered axis, and the first layer extends farther in the lapping axis than does the second layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a planar waveguide having a core layer and a cladding layer adjacent to the core layer, the waveguide being shaped to direct light to a focal point; a magnetic pole adjacent to the cladding layer; and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion and a peg having a first end positioned adjacent to an end of the waveguide and a second end positioned adjacent to a side of the enlarged portion. A data storage device that includes the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method, including depositing a layer of material onto a base portion of a wafer, is disclosed. The layer of material has a first surface adjacent the base portion. The method also includes depositing a pattern of masking material onto a portion of a second surface of the layer. Material from the layer of material that is unprotected by the pattern of masking material is removed from the layer of material. By removing such material a portion of the layer of material is suspended from the base portion.

Abstract: A method, including depositing a layer of material onto a base portion of a wafer, is disclosed. The layer of material has a first surface adjacent the base portion. The method also includes depositing a pattern of masking material onto a portion of a second surface of the layer. Material from the layer of material that is unprotected by the pattern of masking material is removed from the layer of material. By removing such material a portion of the layer of material is suspended from the base portion.

Abstract: A magnetic writer comprises a write pole and a near field transducer. The write pole has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a notch at the leading edge of the write pole. The near field transducer produces near field radiation. The near field transducer positioned in front of or at least partially within the notch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first magnetic pole, a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, and a diffusion barrier positioned between the near field transducer and the first magnetic pole. The diffusion barrier can be positioned adjacent to the magnetic pole or the near field transducer.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a magnetic head has a coil, which has a lead coil turn positioned between a yoke and an air-bearing surface. In certain embodiments, a magnetic head has a coil, which has a lead coil turn minimally spaced from a main write pole.

Abstract: An apparatus illustratively includes a return pole (RP) and a shield. The RP has a first RP magnetic layer, a second RP magnetic layer, and a RP non-magnetic layer. The RP non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the RP first and second magnetic layers. The shield has a first shield magnetic layer, a second shield magnetic layer, and a shield non-magnetic layer. The shield non-magnetic layer separates and magnetically decouples the shield first and second magnetic layers. A method illustratively includes generating magnetic flux and collecting the magnetic flux through an inner magnetic shell.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first magnetic pole, a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, and a diffusion barrier positioned between the near field transducer and the first magnetic pole. The diffusion barrier can be positioned adjacent to the magnetic pole or the near field transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a planar waveguide having a core layer and a cladding layer adjacent to the core layer, the waveguide being shaped to direct light to a focal point; a magnetic pole adjacent to the cladding layer; and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion and a peg having a first end positioned adjacent to an end of the waveguide and a second end positioned adjacent to a side of the enlarged portion. A data storage device that includes the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method, including depositing a layer of material onto a base portion of a wafer, is disclosed. The layer of material has a first surface adjacent the base portion. The method also includes depositing a pattern of masking material onto a portion of a second surface of the layer. Material from the layer of material that is unprotected by the pattern of masking material is removed from the layer of material. By removing such material a portion of the layer of material is suspended from the base portion.

Abstract: A magnetic writer comprises a write pole and a near field transducer. The write pole has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a notch at the leading edge of the write pole. The near field transducer produces near field radiation. The near field transducer positioned in front of or at least partially within the notch.