Abstract: An external cavity laser of a recording head includes a channel waveguide that delivers light towards a media-facing surface of the recording head. The laser includes an externally mounted part with an active region having a longitudinal axis corresponding to a light propagation direction of the channel waveguide. The externally mounted part has a reflective back facet and anti-reflective front facet. The laser includes a near-field transducer at an end of the channel waveguide proximate the media facing surface. The reflective back facet and the near-field transducer define a resonator of the external cavity laser.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a write pole extending to an air-bearing surface. A near-field transducer is positioned proximate a first side of the write pole in a down-track direction. A heatsink structure is proximate the near-field transducer and positioned between the near-field transducer and the write pole. The heatsink structure extends beyond the near-field transducer in a cross-track direction and extends in a direction normal to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a write pole extending to an air-bearing surface. A near-field transducer is positioned proximate a first side of the write pole in a down-track direction. A heatsink structure is proximate the near-field transducer and positioned between the near-field transducer and the write pole. The heatsink structure extends beyond the near-field transducer in a cross-track direction and extends in a direction normal to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A recording head includes an external cavity laser with an externally mounted part having an active region. The external cavity laser also includes a channel waveguide that delivers light towards a media-facing surface. A near-field transducer functions as a reflector, either alone or in combination with a Bragg grating in the channel waveguide. A reflective back facet of the externally mounted part and the reflector define a resonator of the external cavity laser.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a write pole extending to an air-bearing surface. A near-field transducer is positioned proximate a first side of the write pole in a down-track direction. A heatsink structure is proximate the near-field transducer and positioned between the near-field transducer and the write pole. The heatsink structure extends beyond the near-field transducer in a cross-track direction and extends in a direction normal to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a write pole extending to an air-bearing surface. A near-field transducer is positioned proximate a first side of the write pole in a down-track direction. A heatsink structure is proximate the near-field transducer and positioned between the near-field transducer and the write pole. The heatsink structure extends beyond the near-field transducer in a cross-track direction and extends in a direction normal to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A recording head comprises a write pole extending to an air-bearing surface. A near-field transducer is positioned proximate a first side of the write pole in a down-track direction. A heatsink structure is proximate the near-field transducer and positioned between the near-field transducer and the write pole. The heatsink structure extends beyond the near-field transducer in a cross-track direction and extends in a direction normal to the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a media-facing surface. One or more reader elements are positioned in a reader region of the slider, and the one or more reader elements have an average first elevation at the media-facing surface. One or more writer elements are positioned in a writer region of the slider, and the one or more writer elements have an average second elevation at the media-facing surface. The average second elevation is less than the average first elevation.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording comprises an optical sensor coupled to first and second bond pads. The optical sensor comprises a bolometer and a reference sensor. The bolometer is situated at a location of the slider that receives at least some of the light and exposed to an ambient temperature at the slider. The bolometer produces a signal in response to a change in the ambient temperature and the change in output optical power. The reference sensor is situated at a location of the slider unexposed to the light and exposed to the ambient temperature. The reference sensor is coupled to the bolometer and configured to produce a signal in response to the change in the ambient temperature. The optical sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of changes in output optical power of a laser source without contribution due to ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, and a modulator coupled to the light source and configured to modulate the light above a predetermined frequency. A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and to receive the modulated light. A resistive sensor is integral to the slider and subject to heating by absorption of electromagnetic radiation and conduction of heat. Measuring circuitry is coupled to the resistive sensor and configured to measure a response of the resistive sensor due to absorbed electromagnetic radiation and not from the heat conduction. The measuring circuitry may further be configured to determine output optical power of the light source using the measured resistive sensor response.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, and a modulator coupled to the light source and configured to modulate the light above a predetermined frequency. A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and to receive the modulated light. A resistive sensor is integral to the slider and subject to heating by absorption of electromagnetic radiation and conduction of heat. Measuring circuitry is coupled to the resistive sensor and configured to measure a response of the resistive sensor due to absorbed electromagnetic radiation and not from the heat conduction. The measuring circuitry may further be configured to determine output optical power of the light source using the measured resistive sensor response.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, and a modulator coupled to the light source and configured to modulate the light above a predetermined frequency. A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and to receive the modulated light. A resistive sensor is integral to the slider and subject to heating by absorption of electromagnetic radiation and conduction of heat. Measuring circuitry is coupled to the resistive sensor and configured to measure a response of the resistive sensor due to absorbed electromagnetic radiation and not from the heat conduction. The measuring circuitry may further be configured to determine output optical power of the light source using the measured resistive sensor response.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording comprises an optical sensor coupled to first and second bond pads. The optical sensor comprises a bolometer and a reference sensor. The bolometer is situated at a location of the slider that receives at least some of the light and exposed to an ambient temperature at the slider. The bolometer produces a signal in response to a change in the ambient temperature and the change in output optical power. The reference sensor is situated at a location of the slider unexposed to the light and exposed to the ambient temperature. The reference sensor is coupled to the bolometer and configured to produce a signal in response to the change in the ambient temperature. The optical sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of changes in output optical power of a laser source without contribution due to ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a slider and a detector coupled to the slider. The slider is configured for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic recording medium. The slider comprises a heater configured to receive a modulated signal and cause oscillation in a spacing between the slider and the medium. At least one heat generating component of the slider is configured to receive a modulated signal. A contact sensor is situated on the slider to receive heat generated by the at least one heat generating component. The detector is configured to measure a response signal of the heated contact sensor as the slider approaches the medium. The detector is further configured to detect contact between the slider and the medium in response to the response signal reaching a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording comprises an air bearing surface (ABS), a writer, and a close point of the writer. A plurality of heat producing or dissipating components are situated a predetermined distance from a vertical plane that is normal to the ABS and aligned with the close point. A location of the writer close point remains substantially consistent irrespective of which of the plurality of heat producing or dissipating components are energized.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface (ABS) and a near-field transducer (NFT) at or near the ABS. An optical waveguide is configured to couple light from a laser source to the NFT. A resistive sensor comprises an ABS section situated at or proximate the ABS and a distal section extending away from the ABS to a location at least lateral of or behind the NFT. The resistive sensor is configured to detect changes in output optical power of the laser source and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface (ABS) and a near-field transducer (NFT) at or near the ABS. An optical waveguide is configured to couple light from a laser source to the NFT. A resistive sensor comprises an ABS section situated at or proximate the ABS and a distal section extending away from the ABS to a location at least lateral of or behind the NFT. The resistive sensor is configured to detect changes in output optical power of the laser source and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A solid-immersion mirror has two reflective portions surrounding a focal region. A thermal sensor that senses temperature as a function of resistance is proximate at least one of the two reflective portions of the solid-immersion mirror. A near-field transducer is located proximate the focal region of the solid-immersion mirror. The near-field transducer directs optical energy to a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air-bearing surface (ABS), a write pole at or near the ABS, and a reader at or near the ABS and connected to a pair of reader bond pads of the slider. A near-field transducer (NFT) is formed on the slider at or near the ABS, and an optical waveguide is formed in the slider and configured to receive light from a laser source. A sensor is situated proximal of the write pole at a location within the slider that receives at least some of the light communicated along the waveguide. The sensor may be electrically coupled to the reader bond pads in parallel with the reader, and configured to generate a signal indicative of output optical power of the laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, and a modulator coupled to the light source and configured to modulate the light above a predetermined frequency. A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and to receive the modulated light. A resistive sensor is integral to the slider and subject to heating by absorption of electromagnetic radiation and conduction of heat. Measuring circuitry is coupled to the resistive sensor and configured to measure a response of the resistive sensor due to absorbed electromagnetic radiation and not from the heat conduction. The measuring circuitry may further be configured to determine output optical power of the light source using the measured resistive sensor response.