Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic recording layer and a thermally active material adjacent to and/or embedded in the magnetic recording layer, wherein the thermally active material has a thermal property that changes when the temperature of the thermally active material changes, or undergoes a phase transition in a predetermined temperature range, to reduce a peak temperature or increase a thermal gradient of a heated portion of the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head consists of a write pole and a near field transducer close to the write pole that focuses light energy to a focal point. A near field transducer is positioned to receive light energy from a waveguide. The near field transducer comprises an energy-receiving end and an energy-radiating end. The energy-receiving end is located near the focal point of the waveguide and the energy-radiating end is shaped such that it is narrower closer to the write pole and wider farther from the write pole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a dielectric component and a metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the dielectric component. An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a first metallic component, a first dielectric layer positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first metallic component, and a second metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first dielectric component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic recording layer and a thermally active material adjacent to and/or embedded in the magnetic recording layer, wherein the thermally active material has a thermal property that changes when the temperature of the thermally active material changes, or undergoes a phase transition in a predetermined temperature range, to reduce a peak temperature or increase a thermal gradient of a heated portion of the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head consists of a write pole and a near field transducer close to the write pole that focuses light energy to a focal point. A near field transducer is positioned to receive light energy from a waveguide. The near field transducer comprises an energy-receiving end and an energy-radiating end. The energy-receiving end is located near the focal point of the waveguide and the energy-radiating end is shaped such that it is narrower closer to the write pole and wider farther from the write pole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic layer, a heat sink layer, and a thermal resistor layer between the magnetic layer and the heat sink layer. The apparatus may be configured as a thin film structure arranged for data storage. The apparatus may also include an interlayer positioned between the magnetic layer and the thermal resistor layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head consists of a write pole and a near field transducer close to the write pole that focuses light energy to a focal point. A near field transducer is positioned to receive light energy from a waveguide. The near field transducer comprises an energy-receiving end and an energy-radiating end. The energy-receiving end is located near the focal point of the waveguide and the energy-radiating end is shaped such that it is narrower closer to the write pole and wider farther from the write pole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic layer, a heat sink layer, and a thermal resistor layer between the magnetic layer and the heat sink layer. The apparatus may be configured as a thin film structure arranged for data storage. The apparatus may also include an interlayer positioned between the magnetic layer and the thermal resistor layer.

Abstract: A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic layer, a heat sink layer, and a thermal resistor layer between the magnetic layer and the heat sink layer. The apparatus may be configured as a thin film structure arranged for data storage. The apparatus may also include an interlayer positioned between the magnetic layer and the thermal resistor layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a phase compensator and an optical condenser in communication with the phase compensator. The phase compensator provides for phase shifting a portion of an electromagnetic wave. The optical condenser is shaped to direct the electromagnetic wave to a focal region of the optical condenser.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a phase compensator and an optical condenser in communication with the phase compensator. The phase compensator provides for phase shifting a portion of an electromagnetic wave. The optical condenser is shaped to direct the electromagnetic wave to a focal region of the optical condenser.

Abstract: A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic layer, a heat sink layer, and a thermal resistor layer between the magnetic layer and the heat sink layer. The apparatus may be configured as a thin film structure arranged for data storage. The apparatus may also include an interlayer positioned between the magnetic layer and the thermal resistor layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage medium, a recording head, a source of electromagnetic radiation, and a control circuit for modulating the source of electromagnetic radiation in response to a static deviation of a spacing between the recording head and the storage medium. A method of compensating a static deviation of a spacing between a recording head and a storage medium performed by the apparatus, and a method of precompensating for nonlinear transition shifts in a heat assisted magnetic recording system, are also provided.

Abstract: Diffraction gratings for coupling an electromagnetic wave into a planar waveguide are disclosed. The diffraction grating may include a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating slanted relative to one another. Alternatively, the diffraction grating may include a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating spaced apart to form a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion includes sides shaped to direct a guided electromagnetic planar waveguide mode to a focal region outside of the first portion. The second portion is adjacent the first portion and contains at least a part of the focal region. The first portion and the second portion are structured and arranged to provide a depth of focus adjacent to the focal region. The depth of focus may be in the range of about 300 nm to about 2000 nm.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a waveguide, an optical transducer for coupling electromagnetic radiation from the waveguide to a point adjacent to an air bearing surface to heat a portion of a storage medium, and a first wire positioned adjacent to the air bearing surface, wherein current in the wire produces a magnetic field in the heated portion of the storage medium.