Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head having an air bearing surface (ABS), a write pole terminating at or near the ABS, and a near-field transducer (NFT) adjacent the write pole. A light delivery arrangement extends through the slider and terminates at the ABS. The light delivery arrangement is configured to communicate light through the slider and to the NFT. A transparent heat sink layer abuts a terminal end portion of the light delivery arrangement and terminates at the ABS. The heat sink layer has a thermal conductivity greater than that of the light delivery arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed related to heat assisted magnetic recording. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that includes a heat sink region and a near field transducer region is disclosed. The near field transducer region is thermally coupled to the heat sink region. At least one of the heat sink region and the near field transducer region includes both an inner core and an outer shell. The inner core can be comprised of a non-plasmonic material and the outer shell can be comprised of a plasmonic material. In further embodiments, the inner core is comprised of a material having a relatively higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell is comprised of a material having a relatively lower electron-phonon coupling constant.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a near field transducer, the near field transducer including an electrically conductive nitride.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a slider having a mounting surface, the mounting surface opposite a media-facing surface of the slider. The apparatus includes a laser diode mounted on a side surface to the mounting surface. The laser diode has an active region of the laser diode is disposed substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A near field transducer with a peg region, an enlarged region disposed adjacent the peg region, and a barrier material disposed between the peg region and the enlarged region. The barrier material reduces or eliminates interdiffusion of material between the peg region and the enlarged region.

Abstract: A head transducer includes a thermal sensor comprising a conducting ceramic material having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The thermal sensor can comprise a transparent conducting oxide having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The thermal sensor can be situated proximate a near-field transducer of the heat-assisted magnetic recording head transducer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed related to heat assisted magnetic recording. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that includes a heat sink region and a near field transducer region is disclosed. The near field transducer region is thermally coupled to the heat sink region. At least one of the heat sink region and the near field transducer region includes both an inner core and an outer shell. The inner core can be comprised of a non-plasmonic material and the outer shell can be comprised of a plasmonic material. In further embodiments, the inner core is comprised of a material having a relatively higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell is comprised of a material having a relatively lower electron-phonon coupling constant.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus having an air-bearing surface that is configured to interact with magnetic medium. The apparatus includes a waveguide and a plasmonic near-field transducer positioned at or near the air-bearing surface. The plasmonic near-field transducer is operatively coupled to the waveguide. The plasmonic near-field transducer includes an enlarged region and a peg region. The peg region extends from the enlarged region towards the air-bearing surface. The peg region has at least a portion of a periphery of its cross-sectional shape include curvature or at least one substantially obtuse angle.

Abstract: A near field transducer with a peg region, an enlarged region disposed adjacent the peg region, and a barrier material disposed between the peg region and the enlarged region. The barrier material reduces or eliminates interdiffusion of material between the peg region and the enlarged region.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a slider having a mounting surface, the mounting surface opposite a media-facing surface of the slider. The apparatus includes a laser diode mounted on a side surface to the mounting surface. The laser diode has an active region of the laser diode is disposed substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed related to heat assisted magnetic recording. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that includes a heat sink region and a near field transducer region is disclosed. The near field transducer region is thermally coupled to the heat sink region. At least one of the heat sink region and the near field transducer region includes both an inner core and an outer shell. The inner core can be comprised of a non-plasmonic material and the outer shell can be comprised of a plasmonic material. In further embodiments, the inner core is comprised of a material having a relatively higher electron-phonon coupling constant and the outer shell is comprised of a material having a relatively lower electron-phonon coupling constant.

Abstract: A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT); at least one cladding layer adjacent the NFT; and a discontinuous metal layer positioned between the NFT and the at least one cladding layer.

Abstract: Example embodiments include an apparatus that has a piezoelectric contact sensor. The piezoelectric contact sensor includes a semiconductor device having a semiconductor material that defines a channel through which current can flow. The piezoelectric contact sensor also includes a piezoelectric element coupled to the semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is configured to modulate the current channel in response to compressive stress waves at the contact sensor. Other example embodiments include an apparatus that has a slider having an air-bearing surface, a write head integral to the slider, and a piezoelectric contact sensor that includes a semiconductor device and a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus having an air-bearing surface that is configured to interact with magnetic medium. The apparatus includes a waveguide and a plasmonic near-field transducer positioned at or near the air-bearing surface. The plasmonic near-field transducer is operatively coupled to the waveguide. The plasmonic near-field transducer includes an enlarged region and a peg region. The peg region extends from the enlarged region towards the air-bearing surface. The peg region has at least a portion of a periphery of its cross-sectional shape include curvature or at least one substantially obtuse angle.

Abstract: A magnetic writer comprises a write pole, a substrate and a non-magnetic, oxygen-free buffer material. The write pole has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side and second side. The substrate is at the leading edge of the write pole. The non-magnetic, oxygen-free buffer material is located between the write pole and the substrate, and the oxygen-free buffer material is selected from Re, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A tool for use in fabricating an electronic component includes a plurality of processing modules and a transfer chamber in communication with each of the plurality of processing modules. The transfer chamber includes a component for transferring a structure to each of the plurality of processing modules. The plurality of processing modules and the transfer chamber are sealed from the surrounding environment and are under a vacuum. The plurality of processing modules includes a first module configured to perform a first process on the structure and a second module configured to perform a second process on the structure. The first process includes performing at least one shaping operation on the structure.

Abstract: A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT); at least one cladding layer adjacent the NFT; and a discontinuous metal layer positioned between the NFT and the at least one cladding layer.

Abstract: A system for poling piezoelectric devices comprises a plurality of thin-film components, a plurality of piezoelectric devices, a poling pad for poling the piezoelectric devices, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of current-limiting elements. The thin-film components are separated by dice lanes to form an array, and the piezoelectric devices are formed on the thin-film components. The traces connect the piezoelectric devices across the dice lanes in parallel to the poling pad. Each current-limiting element is connected in series with one of the piezoelectric devices, in order to limit current to individual piezoelectric devices that experience current-related failure.

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: A near field transducer with a peg region, an enlarged region disposed adjacent the peg region, and a barrier material disposed between the peg region and the enlarged region. The barrier material reduces or eliminates interdiffusion of material between the peg region and the enlarged region.