Abstract: An external cavity laser of a recording head includes a channel waveguide that delivers light towards a media-facing surface of the recording head. The laser includes an externally mounted part with an active region having a longitudinal axis corresponding to a light propagation direction of the channel waveguide. The externally mounted part has a reflective back facet and anti-reflective front facet. The laser includes a near-field transducer at an end of the channel waveguide proximate the media facing surface. The reflective back facet and the near-field transducer define a resonator of the external cavity laser.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a slider body, a laser, a submount, and a laser heater. The slider body is configured to contain components of the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The laser is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The submount is configured to couple the laser to the slider body. The laser heater is configured to apply heat to the laser. The laser heater disposed on a surface of the slider body.

Abstract: A recording head includes an external cavity laser with an externally mounted part having an active region. The external cavity laser also includes a channel waveguide that delivers light towards a media-facing surface. A near-field transducer functions as a reflector, either alone or in combination with a Bragg grating in the channel waveguide. A reflective back facet of the externally mounted part and the reflector define a resonator of the external cavity laser.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording includes a laser diode optically coupled to a waveguide of the slider. A power supply is coupled to the laser diode. A preamplifier is coupled to the power supply. The preamplifier is configured to monitor a forward voltage across the laser diode while operating the laser diode at a constant current during a write operation, detect a change in the forward voltage indicative of laser power instability, and generate a signal in response to detecting the forward voltage change.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording includes a laser diode optically coupled to a waveguide of the slider. A power supply is coupled to the laser diode. A preamplifier is coupled to the power supply. The preamplifier is configured to monitor a forward voltage across the laser diode while operating the laser diode at a constant current during a write operation, detect a change in the forward voltage indicative of laser power instability, and generate a signal in response to detecting the forward voltage change.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording includes a laser diode optically coupled to a waveguide of the slider. A power supply is coupled to the laser diode. A preamplifier is coupled to the power supply. The preamplifier is configured to monitor a forward voltage across the laser diode while operating the laser diode at a constant current during a write operation, detect a change in the forward voltage indicative of laser power instability, and generate a signal in response to detecting the forward voltage change.