Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a near-field light transducer having multiple apexes including a trailing-side apex positioned on a trailing side of the near-field light transducer. The device also includes a first material positioned near the trailing-side apex of the near-field light transducer, and a second material positioned near another apex of the near-field light transducer. The first material is physically characterized as etching more slowly than the second material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a near-field light transducer having multiple apexes including a trailing-side apex positioned on a trailing side of the near-field light transducer. The device also includes a first material positioned near the trailing-side apex of the near-field light transducer, and a second material positioned near another apex of the near-field light transducer. The first material is physically characterized as etching more slowly than the second material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a light source, a near-field light transducer including an electroconductive scattering body configured for generating near-field light when irradiated by light from the light source, the near-field light transducer including a triangular shape at a media-facing surface thereof having three apexes including a trailing-side apex positioned on a trailing side of the near-field light transducer, a main pole configured for writing data to a magnetic medium, the main pole being positioned in a down-track direction from the near-field light transducer, a first material positioned near the trailing-side apex of the near-field light transducer, and a second material positioned near other apexes of the near-field light transducer, the first material being more difficult to etch than the second material, wherein the near-field light transducer is configured to assist the main pole in writing data to the magnetic medium by production of the near-field light.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a light source, a near-field light transducer including an electroconductive scattering body configured for generating near-field light when irradiated by light from the light source, the near-field light transducer including a triangular shape at a media-facing surface thereof having three apexes including a trailing-side apex positioned on a trailing side of the near-field light transducer, a main pole configured for writing data to a magnetic medium, the main pole being positioned in a down-track direction from the near-field light transducer, a first material positioned near the trailing-side apex of the near-field light transducer, and a second material positioned near other apexes of the near-field light transducer, the first material being more difficult to etch than the second material, wherein the near-field light transducer is configured to assist the main pole in writing data to the magnetic medium by production of the near-field light.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) air-bearing slider has an optically-transparent protective film over the near-field transducer (NFT) to protect the NFT from excessive heat caused by the accumulation of carbonaceous material on the slider's overcoat. The NFT is thus separated from the overcoat by the protective film. The protective film does not cover the write pole end, which is covered only by the overcoat, so there is no spacing loss between the write pole end and the recording layer on the disk. In one embodiment the protective film is coplanar with the recording-layer-facing surface of the slider and the overcoat covers both the protective film and the write pole end. In another embodiment the overcoat has a window that surrounds the protective film, with the protective film being substantially coplanar with the air-bearing surface (ABS) of the slider. In both embodiments the smooth topography of the slider's ABS is maintained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning a magnetic head slider, and a method for manufacturing the same, which can achieve a magnetic head slider having high cleanness. According to one embodiment, in a rinsing process, a magnetic head slider is accommodated within a receptacle portion formed in a receptacle tray and the receptacle tray is immersed into rinsing liquid and is moved therein. As a result, the magnetic head slider receives a lifting force from the rinsing liquid which has entered the receptacle portion from through holes, so it flies over and at the same time receives water pressure from the rinsing liquid. Consequently, it is possible to effect rinsing to a satisfactory extent.