Abstract: A recording head has a waveguide core with an input end proximate an energy source at an input surface of the recording head. The waveguide core couples light from the energy source to a near-field transducer that heats a recording medium in response to the light. An input coupler extends along the waveguide core from the input end to a termination region that is away from the input end in a light propagation direction. The input coupler has a first refractive index between that of the waveguide core and a surrounding material. The input coupler is wider than the waveguide core and has a slanted edge at the termination region. The slanted edge crosses the waveguide core such that the input coupler narrows to a neck away from the waveguide core in a crosstrack direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide core extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a combined transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. A second waveguide core is spaced apart from the first waveguide core and is configured to couple light at a TM mode to the second waveguide core. A near-field transducer (NFT) is disposed at a media-facing surface of a write head, the NFT receiving the light from the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core and heating a magnetic recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source. A near-field transducer (NFT) is positioned at a media-facing surface of a write head. A layered waveguide is positioned between the input coupler and the NFT and configured to receive the light output from the input coupler in a transverse electric (TE) mode and deliver the light to the NFT in a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. The layered waveguide comprises a first layer extending along a light-propagation direction. The first layer is configured to receive light from the input coupler. The first layer tapers from a first cross track width to a second cross track width where the second cross track width is narrower than the first cross track width. The layered waveguide includes a second layer that is disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the light propagation direction that increases along the light propagation direction.

Abstract: A recording head has a waveguide core with an input facet at an input surface. The waveguide core extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. First and second cladding regions are co-planar with and on either cross-track side of the waveguide core. First and second pseudo-slab regions are co-planar with and on outer cross-track sides of the respective first and second cladding regions. The first and second pseudo-slab regions have an index of refraction higher than that of the first and second cladding regions. The first and second pseudo-slab regions confine and channel stray light away from the near-field transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide core extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a combined transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. A second waveguide core is spaced apart from the first waveguide core and is configured to couple light at a TM mode to the second waveguide core. A near-field transducer (NFT) is disposed at a media-facing surface of a write head, the NFT receiving the light from the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core and heating a magnetic recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: A write head comprises a waveguide core configured to receive light emitted in a crosstrack direction from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE00) mode. The waveguide core comprises a first turn that receives the light in the crosstrack direction redirects the light to an opposite crosstrack direction and a second turn that redirects the light to a direction normal to a media-facing surface of the write head. The waveguide core comprises a straight section that couples the first and second turns and a branched portion extending from the straight section. The branched portion is configured to convert the light to a higher-order (TE10) mode. A near-field transducer at the media-facing surface is configured to receive the light at the TE10 mode from the waveguide and directs surface plasmons to a recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: A write head comprises a waveguide core configured to receive light emitted in a crosstrack direction from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE00) mode. The waveguide core comprises a first turn that receives the light in the crosstrack direction redirects the light to an opposite crosstrack direction and a second turn that redirects the light to a direction normal to a media-facing surface of the write head. The waveguide core comprises a straight section that couples the first and second turns and a branched portion extending from the straight section. The branched portion is configured to convert the light to a higher-order (TE10) mode. A near-field transducer at the media-facing surface is configured to receive the light at the TE10 mode from the waveguide and directs surface plasmons to a recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: A recording head has a primary waveguide core with an input end at an input surface of the recording head and extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. A secondary waveguide core is separated from the primary waveguide core by a gap such that light is evanescently coupled from the primary waveguide core to the secondary waveguide core. The secondary waveguide core has first and second bends such that an output end of the secondary waveguide core is parallel to and separated from the primary waveguide core in a cross-track direction. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization of light in the secondary waveguide core such that polarization-rotated light exits the secondary waveguide core at the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A gradient-index lens couples light from a laser active region to a waveguide core. The gradient-index lens includes a plurality of bilayers, each of the bilayers having first and second material of respective first and second refractive indices. The bilayers conform to a planar base of the gradient-index lens and further conform to input and output sidewalls of the gradient-index lens. The input sidewall faces the laser active region and the output sidewall faces away from the laser active region. The input and output sidewalls are tilted at respective acute angles relative to the planar base.