Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a laser, a near-field transducer, a primary waveguide, a secondary waveguide, and a photodiode. The laser is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The near-field transducer is configured to focus and emit an optical near-field. The primary waveguide configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation and propagate the electromagnetic radiation toward and proximal to the near-field transducer. The secondary waveguide configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the primary waveguide. The photodiode configured to receive the portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the secondary waveguide and emit a signal that represents a magnitude of the electromagnetic radiation that the laser emits.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head comprises a near-field transducer (NFT). The NFT comprises a thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy, wherein the thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy comprises a plasmonic metal and at least one alloying metal.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and apparatus may provide optical gates and optical switches using such optical gates. Each optical gate may include a semiconductor optical amplifier that is placed in a substrate. The semiconductor optical amplifier may be coupled to input and output couplers to receive and selectively output optical signals into and out of the substrate.

Abstract: A near-field transducer or heat sink is formed via a first process. The near-field transducer or heat sink is transfer-printed to a read/write head via a second process.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head comprises a near-field transducer (NFT). The NFT comprises a thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy, wherein the thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy comprises a plasmonic metal and at least one alloying metal.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head comprises a near-field transducer (NFT). The NFT comprises a thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy, wherein the thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy comprises a plasmonic metal and at least one alloying metal.

Abstract: A near-field transducer or heat sink is formed via a first process. The near-field transducer or heat sink is transfer-printed to a read/write head via a second process.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus provided thereby, includes providing a substrate and placing an integrated laser on the substrate. A first cladding layer surrounds the integrated laser and includes a laser optical coupler aligned with an output of the laser. The laser optical coupler includes silicon and the laser includes a III-V compound semiconductor. The output of the laser is spaced apart from the laser optical coupler by a gap of less than or equal to 500 nanometers. An optical waveguide is positioned on the first cladding layer and in optical communication with the laser optical coupler.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and apparatus may provide optical gates and optical switches using such optical gates. Each optical gate may include a semiconductor optical amplifier that is placed in a substrate. The semiconductor optical amplifier may be coupled to input and output couplers to receive and selectively output optical signals into and out of the substrate.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus provided thereby, includes providing a substrate and placing an integrated laser on the substrate. A first cladding layer surrounds the integrated laser and includes a laser optical coupler aligned with an output of the laser. The laser optical coupler includes silicon and the laser includes a III-V compound semiconductor. The output of the laser is spaced apart from the laser optical coupler by a gap of less than or equal to 500 nanometers. An optical waveguide is positioned on the first cladding layer and in optical communication with the laser optical coupler.

Abstract: A write pole of a data writer may have at least one rotational milling operation conducted on a write pole blank followed by first and second static milling operations executed at different first and second angles with respect to an air bearing surface. The combination of rotational and static milling operations can form a write pole with body and tip regions defined by a continuous pole sidewall extending perpendicularly from the air bearing surface up to a body taper portion angled at approximately 14.5° with respect to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A data storage device data writer may arrange a write pole to be positioned uptrack from a front shield on an air bearing surface. The front shield can consist of a lamination of a first magnetic alloy material and a second magnetic alloy material. The second magnetic alloy material may be NiFe that has 80% iron by weight.

Abstract: A data writer can have at least a write pole separated from a return pole by a non-magnetic lamination. The non-magnetic lamination may consist of first, second, and third non-magnetic materials that are each different and configured to provide a physical protrusion on an air bearing surface of less than 4 Angstroms.

Abstract: A recording head includes a layer of plasmonic metal deposited on a surface of the recording head. One or more non-self-supporting layers of crystalline material are attached to the plasmonic metal, the one or more layers of crystalline materials configured to form an active region of a laser. A waveguide is configured to receive plasmons from the laser and direct the plasmons to a recording medium.

Abstract: A data storage device employing a data writer may configure the data writer with at least a write pole that is separated from a front shield on an air bearing surface. The front shield can be arranged to continuously extend from the air bearing surface a first throat height distal the write pole and a second throat height proximal the write pole with the first and second throat heights being different.

Abstract: A mounting surface of a read/write head is prepared to receive an epitaxial layer. The mounting surface is proximate a waveguide of the read/write head, and the waveguide is configured to receive an optical output from the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer is transfer printed on to the mounting surface. The mounting surface maintains a vertical alignment between the optical output and the waveguide. The epitaxial layer is processed to form a laser integrated with the read/write head.

Abstract: A data writing element may be configured at least with a write pole positioned adjacent a first shield along a first axis and adjacent a second shield along a second axis. The second shield may be separated from the write pole by a first gap distance on an air bearing surface (ABS) and by a second gap distance distal the ABS with the first and second gap distances meeting at a transition surface oriented parallel to the ABS.

Abstract: A data storage device employing a data writer may configure the data writer with at least a write pole that is separated from a front shield on an air bearing surface. The front shield can be arranged to continuously extend from the air bearing surface a first throat height distal the write pole and a second throat height proximal the write pole with the first and second throat heights being different.

Abstract: A data writer may be generally configured at least with a write pole adjacent to and separated from a side shield and a trailing shield. The side shield may be formed of a first material and configured with a trailing box region that is at least partially filled with a flux density insert formed of a second material that is different than the first material.

Abstract: A data writer may be generally configured at least with a write pole adjacent to and separated from a side shield and a trailing shield. The side shield may be formed of a first material and configured with a trailing box region that is at least partially filled with a flux density insert formed of a second material that is different than the first material.