Abstract: A waveguide structure for a TAMR head is disclosed wherein at least one detection waveguide is formed parallel to a main waveguide and located a gap distance therefrom. A light source transmits light into the main waveguide and towards an ABS/medium interface. A plasmon generator converts light from the waveguide into plasmon waves that are directed onto a magnetic medium. Back reflected light is captured by the main waveguide, partially diverted into a detection waveguide, and transmitted to a photo detector that measures light intensity (IB) which correlates closely to the plasmon wave intensity at the ABS/medium interface. A controller linked to the photo detector is employed to calculate IB as a function of ABS/medium spacing in a non-write condition and this relationship can be used to control and maintain a constant plasmon wave intensity at the ABS during a series of TAMR write processes with a plurality of media.

Abstract: A waveguide structure for a TAMR head is disclosed wherein at least one detection waveguide is formed parallel to a main waveguide and located a gap distance therefrom. A light source transmits light into the main waveguide and towards an ABS/medium interface. A plasmon generator converts light from the waveguide into plasmon waves that are directed onto a magnetic medium. Back reflected light is captured by the main waveguide, partially diverted into a detection waveguide, and transmitted to a photo detector that measures light intensity (IB) which correlates closely to the plasmon wave intensity at the ABS/medium interface. A controller linked to the photo detector is employed to calculate IB as a function of ABS/medium spacing in a non-write condition and this relationship can be used to control and maintain a constant plasmon wave intensity at the ABS during a series of TAMR write processes with a plurality of media.

Abstract: A TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head uses the energy of optical-laser generated plasmons in a magnetic core plasmon antenna to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. To enable the TAMR head to operate most effectively, the maximum gradient and value of the magnetic recording field should be at a point of the magnetic medium that is as close as possible to the point being heated. In addition, the coupling between the optical mode and the plasmon mode should be efficient so that maximum energy is transmitted to the medium. The present invention achieves both these objects by surrounding the magnetic core of a plasmon antenna by a variable thickness plasmon generating layer, whose thinnest and shortest portion is at the ABS end of the TAMR head and whose thickest and longest portion efficiently couples to the optical mode of a waveguide to produce a plasmon.

Abstract: A waveguide structure for aligning a light source to a center waveguide (CWG) in a TAMR head is disclosed and includes two alignment waveguides (AWVG) symmetrically formed about a plane that bisects the CWG lengthwise dimension. Each AWVG has a light coupling section formed parallel to a side of the CWG and captures 0.5% to 10% of the light in the CWG. Each AWVG has an outlet that directs light to a photo detector or camera so that light intensity measurements lAWVG1 and lAWVG2 for first and second AWVG, respectively, can be taken at various positions of the light source. Optimum alignment occurs when (lAWVG1+lAWVG2) reaches a maximum value and |lAWVG1?lAWVG2| has a minimum value. AWVG outlets may be at the ABS, or at the side or back end of a slider. Measurement sensitivity is increased by decreasing the width of the AWVG.

Abstract: A TAMR head is disclosed with a triangular shaped plasmon antenna covered on two sides with a plasmon layer that generates an edge plasmon mode along a vertex of the two plasmon sides formed opposite a main pole layer. A plasmon shield (PS) is formed along the ABS and opposite the vertex to confine an electric field from the edge plasmon mode within a small radius of the edge plasmon tip thereby reducing the optical spot size on the magnetic medium and enhancing writability. An end of a waveguide used to direct input electromagnetic radiation to the plasmon antenna adjoins a PS side opposite the ABS. In one embodiment, a magnetic shield may be formed along the ABS and adjoins the PS so that a first PS section terminates at the ABS and faces the vertex while a second PS section is formed between the magnetic shield and waveguide end.

Abstract: A TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head uses the energy of optical-laser generated plasmons in a magnetic core plasmon antenna to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. To enable the TAMR head to operate most effectively, the maximum gradient and value of the magnetic recording field should be at a point of the magnetic medium that is as close as possible to the point being heated. In addition, the coupling between the optical mode and the plasmon mode should be efficient so that maximum energy is transmitted to the medium. The present invention achieves both these objects by surrounding the magnetic core of a plasmon antenna by a variable thickness plasmon generating layer, whose thinnest and shortest portion is at the ABS end of the TAMR head and whose thickest and longest portion efficiently couples to the optical mode of a waveguide to produce a plasmon.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a TAMR head having a magnetic core antenna (MCA) with a recessed plasmon layer are disclosed. An end of the plasmon layer is separated from the ABS by a magnetic layer that transmits the plasmon mode from the plasmon layer and transmits magnetic flux from an adjacent main pole layer. Both of the MCA and magnetic layer may have a triangular shape from an ABS view. There may be a non-magnetic separation layer between the MCA magnetic core and the main pole. Furthermore, a magnetic shield may be included with a side at the ABS, a side facing an end of a waveguide that transmits electromagnetic radiation to the MCA, and a side facing an edge of the plasmon layer. The recessed plasmon layer allows an improved overlay of the thermal heating spot on the magnetic field gradient at the magnetic medium that provides better TAMR performance.

Abstract: A TAMR head is disclosed with a triangular shaped plasmon antenna covered on two sides with a plasmon layer that generates an edge plasmon mode along a vertex of the two plasmon sides formed opposite a main pole layer. A plasmon shield (PS) is formed along the ABS and opposite the vertex to confine an electric field from the edge plasmon mode within a small radius of the edge plasmon tip thereby reducing the optical spot size on the magnetic medium and enhancing writability. An end of a waveguide used to direct input electromagnetic radiation to the plasmon antenna adjoins a PS side opposite the ABS. In one embodiment, a magnetic shield may be formed along the ABS and adjoins the PS so that a first PS section terminates at the ABS and faces the vertex while a second PS section is formed between the magnetic shield and waveguide end.