Abstract: A recording head includes one or more transducer elements, and an electrically insulative layer encasing the one or more transducer elements. The recording head also includes a substrate below the electrically insulative layer. The recording head further includes a heat sinking layer between the electrically insulative layer and the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recording head that includes a write pole extending to a media-facing surface of the recording head; a near-field transducer extending to a media-facing surface of the recording head; a trailing return pole positioned between the write pole and the trailing edge; and a recessed portion that is recessed relative to the media-facing surface by a distance when no power is applied to the recording head. The trailing return pole is located in the recessed portion. The present disclosure also includes relates methods of making and detecting contact between a recording head and recording medium.

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 light detection and ranging system can have an array of solid-state optical energy emitters coupled to a controller and at least one antennae. Each emitter may be coupled to a phase shifter that has a first waveguide and a second waveguide with a heating element continuously extending between the respective waveguides.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and systems that include multiple lapping stages having at least one lapping stage that laps while a heat source is applied to cause expansion during lapping and at least one subsequent lapping stage that laps while the heat source is reduced (e.g., turned off).

Abstract: Described are magnetic recording heads that include a read transducer and a write transducer, with the two transducers being arranged in a side-by-side configuration.

Abstract: A recording head includes one or more transducer elements, and an electrically insulative layer encasing the one or more transducer elements. The recording head also includes a substrate below the electrically insulative layer. The recording head further includes a heat sinking layer between the electrically insulative layer and 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: 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 magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.

Abstract: A slider having an air bearing surface is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A writer of the slider comprises a writer coil. A current source is configured to supply a modulated writer current at a first predetermined frequency to the writer coil. A writer heater is situated proximate the writer and configured to thermally actuate a writer region of the air bearing surface. A contact sensor is situated proximate the writer coil and configured to sense temperature changes indicative of changes in spacing and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium. A signal produced by the contact sensor oscillates at the first predetermined frequency. A detector is coupled to the contact sensor. The detector is configured to detect contact between the thermally actuated writer region and the medium using the contact sensor signal.

Abstract: A magnetic device including: a magnetic reader; a magnetic writer; and a variable overcoat, the variable overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic reader and writer, the variable overcoat having an overcoat layer, the overcoat layer having a substantially constant thickness and material; and at least one disparate overcoat portion, the disparate overcoat portion having a different thickness, a different material, or both, than the overcoat layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head, a submount, and an interface defined between the slider and the submount. A laser diode is connected to the submount. A metal layer is provided at the interface between the slider and the submount. The metal layer connects at least about 30% of the surface area of the submount at the interface to the slider and serves as a thermal conduction pathway between the submount and the slider.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a read transducer and a write transducer at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes at least one heater that causes heat deformation at the media-facing surface in response to different first and second energizing currents. The first energizing current results in a first close point between the media-facing surface and a recording medium. The second energizing current results in a second close point between the media-facing surface and the recording medium. The second close point is at a different location in the media-facing surface than the first close point.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head, a submount, and an interface defined between the slider and the submount. A laser diode is connected to the submount. A metal layer is provided at the interface between the slider and the submount. The metal layer connects at least about 30% of the surface area of the submount at the interface to the slider and serves as a thermal conduction pathway between the submount and the slider.

Abstract: A recording head that includes at least one protection feature that prevents at least one other feature of the recording head from directly colliding with a data storage medium with which the recording head communicates. The recording head includes a transducer element having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The recording head also includes a transducer element heater located closer to the leading edge of the transducer element than the trailing edge of the transducer element. A contact pad is interposed between the leading edge of the transducer element and the transducer element heater to prevent the transducer element from directly colliding with the data storage medium.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a read transducer and a write transducer at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes at least one heater that causes heat deformation at the media-facing surface in response to different first and second energizing currents. The first energizing current results in a first close point between the media-facing surface and a recording medium. The second energizing current results in a second close point between the media-facing surface and the recording medium. The second close point is at a different location in the media-facing surface than the first close point.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a read transducer and a write transducer at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes at least one heater that causes heat deformation at the media-facing surface in response to different first and second energizing currents. The first energizing current results in a first close point between the media-facing surface and a recording medium. The second energizing current results in a second close point between the media-facing surface and the recording medium. The second close point is at a different location in the media-facing surface than the first close point.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a read transducer and a write transducer at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes at least one heater that causes heat deformation at the media-facing surface in response to different first and second energizing currents. The first energizing current results in a first close point between the media-facing surface and a recording medium. The second energizing current results in a second close point between the media-facing surface and the recording medium. The second close point is at a different location in the media-facing surface than the first close point.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a transducer head including a writer feature extending to a transducer head surface, the transducer head surface being configured to face a storage medium surface; and a bumper structure configured on the transducer head surface, the bumper structure configured to be proximal to the writer feature and to protrude beyond the writer feature in response to energy.