Abstract: An error is determined in a target track of a heat-assisted recording medium. The error triggers an error recovery procedure. The error recovery procedure involves storing data from at least part of an adjacent track that is immediately proximate the target track to another data storage location. The error recovery procedure also involves, for two or more iterations in which a laser power is incrementally changed from a lower power to a higher power, erasing at least part of the adjacent track at the laser power and attempting to recover the target track.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for performing, using a heat-assisted magnetic recording head, multiple sequential writes to a recording medium, and recording a metric of write performance for each of the writes. The apparatus and method further provide for calculating fluctuations in the metric, detecting whether the head has a laser mode hopping problem using the metric fluctuations, and categorizing a severity of the laser mode hopping problem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for performing, using a heat-assisted magnetic recording head, multiple sequential writes to a recording medium, and recording a metric of write performance for each of the writes. The apparatus and method further provide for calculating fluctuations in the metric, detecting whether the head has a laser mode hopping problem using the metric fluctuations, and categorizing a severity of the laser mode hopping problem.

Abstract: A method comprises performing a write operation using a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) drive operating at a plurality of temperatures. The method involves measuring a metric of write performance subsequent to the write operation at each of the operating temperatures. The method also involves detecting one or more laser mode hops using the metrics, and determining a temperature at which each of the detected mode hops occurred. The method further involves storing the temperature for each detected mode hop in a non-volatile memory of the drive. The method may involve mitigating laser mode hopping, such as by the drive avoiding the stored temperature(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for performing, using a heat-assisted magnetic recording head, multiple sequential writes to a recording medium, and recording a metric of write performance for each of the writes. The apparatus and method further provide for calculating fluctuations in the metric, detecting whether the head has a laser mode hopping problem using the metric fluctuations, and categorizing a severity of the laser mode hopping problem.

Abstract: Bits are written to a track of a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium via a write transducer at a first skew angle. The track is read via a read transducer oriented at a second skew angle different from the first skew angle. The second skew angle causes the read transducer be more closely aligned with boundaries of the bits than if oriented at the first skew angle.

Abstract: Based on thermal time constant of a head-to-media spacing of a write head, a write parameter is determined that includes at least one of: a modified laser power boost used at a beginning of writing; and a time adjustment affecting the beginning of the writing. The write parameter is applied to writing operations affecting a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, the write parameter ensuring accurate phase lock during reading of the heat-assisted magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method includes setting a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device located in a data storage system having a laser to an operating temperature. A threshold laser current is determined. An optimal laser current is determined. The threshold laser current and the optimal laser current are stored in memory. The steps of determining a threshold laser current, determining an optimal laser current and storing the threshold laser current and the optimal laser current into the calibration table are repeated until acceptable device performance is achieved at more than one operating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head having an air bearing surface for confronting the surface of a storage medium. The head includes a first pole that is spaced apart from a second pole. At least one non-magnetic spacer is positioned between the first pole and the second pole such that the first pole is magnetically decoupled from the second pole. In a further aspect, one or both of the first pole and the second pole can be elliptical in shape.