Abstract: An apparatus comprises a moveable arm for positioning an optical transducer adjacent to a storage medium, a light source, and an elliptical or ellipsoid shaped mirror mounted for reflecting light from the light source to the optical transducer. The elliptical mirror can be positioned on an ellipse, the moveable arm can pivot about an axis passing through a first focus of the ellipse, and the light source can direct light from a point on a second axis passing through a second focus of the ellipse to the elliptical mirror. The light source can comprise a fixed laser and a moveable mirror mounted to pivot about the second axis or a moveable laser mounted to pivot about the second axis. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an optical transducer positioned adjacent to a storage medium and including a waveguide and a grating for coupling light into the waveguide, a light source transmitting light to the grating, and a detector for detecting a portion of the light, wherein the detected portion of the light has a magnitude that varies in response to the amount of light coupled into the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface, a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the air bearing surface, a storage medium position adjacent to the air bearing surface, a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the storage medium, and a structure positioned adjacent to the focal point for collecting the reflected electromagnetic radiation and for transmitted the reflected electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating electromagnetic energy comprises a metallic transducer including a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is wider than the second section and has a width to length aspect ratio greater than or equal to a width to length aspect ratio of the second section, and a condenser for directing electromagnetic radiation onto the transducer. A magnetic storage device that includes the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A suspension arm for an optical transducer comprises a load beam, a slider coupled to the load beam by a gimbal assembly and including an optical transducer positioned adjacent to an end of the slider facing a pivot point of the suspension arm, and an optical fiber for transmitting light toward the transducer, wherein an end of the optical fiber is positioned adjacent to the transducer such that light emitted from the fiber passes directly to the transducer. Disc drives that include the suspension arm, and a method of transmitting light to an optical transducer, are also included.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording head having a planar waveguide for heating a recording medium proximate to where a write pole of the recording head applies a magnetic write field thereto. The planar waveguide includes at least one edge, which may have a substantially parabolic shape, that is shaped to reflect an electromagnetic wave to a focal point within the planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes a truncated end adjacent the focal point such that the truncated end intersects the focal point.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording on a recording medium. The magnetic recording device includes a magnetic pole and a C-aperture structure disposed adjacent the magnetic pole. A focusing element receives light from a light source and focuses the received light onto the C-aperture structure, such that the light incident upon the C-aperture structure and a magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic pole are co-locatable on a recording medium disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording device. The focusing element may include a planar waveguide receiving and focusing the light onto the C-aperture structure.

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 data recording head having at least two waveguides that are energy-coupled. The first waveguide is end fire coupled to a radiant energy source of a first spot size, and the second waveguide outputs radiant energy of a second spot size onto a recording medium. The width of the first waveguide is larger than the width of the second waveguide, or the first spot size is larger than the second spot size. The recording also includes a cladding layer and/or a diffraction grating for mode index matching between the first and second waveguides. The second waveguide includes a solid immersion optical element to focus the output radiant energy. In one embodiment, the data recording head includes a write element to effect magnetic data recording, and the first and second waveguides are configured relative to the write element and supported relative to the recording medium to effect heat assisted magnetic recording.

Abstract: An optical transducer comprises means for directing an electromagnetic wave to a focal region and a metallic nano-structure having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an electric field of the electromagnetic wave, the metallic nano-structure being positioned outside of the means for directing an electromagnetic wave, wherein the electromagnetic wave produces surface plasmons on the metallic nano-structure. A cladding material having a refractive index differing from the refractive index of the means for directing an electromagnetic wave can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic nano-structure. Magneto-optical recording heads that include the transducers and disc drives that include the magneto-optical recording heads are also included.

Abstract: A transducer comprises a conductive pin and a waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation onto the pin, wherein the pin is configured to create a rectangular flat top field distribution at a surface of a storage medium positioned adjacent to an end of the pin, leading to a flat top thermal profile within the storage medium. A second pin can be included in the transducer. Recording heads that include the transducer, disc drives that include the recording head, and a method of heating a portion of a storage medium that is performed by the recording head, are also included.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording on a recording medium. The magnetic recording device includes a magnetic pole and a C-aperture structure disposed adjacent the magnetic pole. A focusing element receives light from a light source and focuses the received light onto the C-aperture structure, such that the light incident upon the C-aperture structure and a magnetic flux flowing through the magnetic pole are co-locatable on a recording medium disposed adjacent to the magnetic recording device. The focusing element may include a planar waveguide receiving and focusing the light onto the C-aperture structure.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording head having a planar waveguide for heating a recording medium proximate to where a write pole of the recording head applies a magnetic write field thereto. The planar waveguide includes at least one edge, which may have a substantially parabolic shape, that is shaped to reflect an electromagnetic wave to a focal point within the planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes a truncated end adjacent the focal point such that the truncated end intersects the focal point.

Abstract: An optical assaying method and system having a movable sensor is described. In one aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a rotating sensor disk coated with indicator dyes sensitized to a variety of substances. In this configuration the sensing system further includes a detector for sensing spectral changes in light received from one or more of the indicator dyes. In another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a surface plasmon resonance sensor disk having grooves extending radially from a center of the disk. In yet another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system including a diffraction anomaly sensor disk having a dielectric layer that varies in thickness. The present invention allows for construction of an inexpensive sensing system that is capable of easily detecting a variety of substances either in a sample or a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a sensor comprising a dielectric film stack having a plurality of dielectric layers. For at least one angle of incidence the dielectric layers operate as a waveguide for light incident upon the sensor. In one configuration, each dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material selected from a first dielectric material having a first index of refraction and a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction. The dielectric film stack is formed such that the dielectric material of the dielectric layers alternates between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The dielectric film stack is either formed as a dielectric mirror such that light incident upon the sensor reflects from the sensor or as an anti-reflection film stack such that light incident upon the light beam propagates through the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head for use in conjunction with a magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording head includes a hybrid write pole structure for applying a magnetic write field to the magnetic recording medium. The write pole includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer has a first saturation magnetic moment and the second layer has a second saturation magnetic moment that is greater than the first saturation magnetic moment. The magnetic recording head also includes a means for heating the magnetic recording medium proximate to where the write pole applies the magnetic write field to the recording medium. A method of heat assisted magnetic recording is also included.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a sensor comprising a dielectric film stack having a plurality of dielectric layers. For at least one angle of incidence the dielectric layers operate as a waveguide for light incident upon the sensor. In one configuration, each dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material selected from a first dielectric material having a first index of refraction and a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction. The dielectric film stack is formed such that the dielectric material of the dielectric layers alternates between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The dielectric film stack is either formed as a dielectric mirror such that light incident upon the sensor reflects from the sensor or as an anti-reflection film stack such that light incident upon the light beam propagates through the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a sensor comprising a dielectric film stack having a plurality of dielectric layers. For at least one angle of incidence the dielectric layers operate as a waveguide for light incident upon the sensor. In one configuration, each dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material selected from a first dielectric material having a first index of refraction and a second dielectric material having a second index of refraction. The dielectric film stack is formed such that the dielectric material of the dielectric layers alternates between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. The dielectric film stack is either formed as a dielectric mirror such that light incident upon the sensor reflects from the sensor or as an anti-reflection film stack such that light incident upon the light beam propagates through the sensor.

Abstract: An optical assaying method and system having a movable sensor is described. In one aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a rotating sensor disk coated with indicator dyes sensitized to a variety of substances. In this configuration the sensing system further includes a detector for sensing spectral changes in light received from one or more of the indicator dyes. In another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system having a surface plasmon resonance sensor disk having grooves extending radially from a center of the disk. In yet another aspect, the present invention is a sensing system including a diffraction anomaly sensor disk having a dielectric layer that varies in thickness. The present invention allows for construction of an inexpensive sensing system that is capable of easily detecting a variety of substances either in a sample or a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically assaying a targeted substance in a sample using a diffraction anomaly grating sensor. The optical sensor has a diffraction grating coated with at least one dielectric layer such that the sensor is sensitized to interact with the targeted substance. Upon interaction, light incident upon the sensor at a particular angle propagates through the dielectric, thereby exhibiting a dip in zero-order reflectance. Advantages of the present invention include facilitating increased sensitivity while protecting the metal grating from tarnishing and degradation. The present invention also allows for the construction of sensors that are sensitized to a plurality of substances, thus eliminating the need for an operator to reconfigure the sensing system in order to assay different substances.