Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) disk used in energy assisted magnetic recording drives is described. The PMR disk includes a substrate, a magnetic recording layer disposed above the substrate, an exchange coupling layer disposed above the magnetic recording layer, and a capping layer disposed above the exchange coupling layer. The capping layer has a Curie temperature greater than the Curie temperature of the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The near-field light generating layer has a laminated structure in which a first thin-film metal layer formed in a thin film form along a direction intersecting the medium-opposing surface and a second thin-film metal layer formed in a thin film form and formed using a second metal larger in hardness than a first metal forming the first thin-film metal layer are alternately laminated. Further, in the second thin-film metal layer, a defect part is formed, the defect part is a part smaller in thickness than another part or is a hole part, and a flat layer part other than the defect part surrounds the defect part.

Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT including a peg having five exposed surfaces, the peg including a first material; an overlying structure; at least one intermixing layer, positioned between the peg and the overlying structure, the at least one intermixing layer positioned on at least one of the five surfaces of the peg, the intermixing layer including at least the first material and a second material.

Abstract: An HAMR NFT pin and main body structure comprising a pin material with high index of refraction and low absorption coefficient is disclosed. The disclosed NFT pin provides a comparable media absorption efficiency to the conventional Au pin while improving on overall NFT reliability. The protrusion of the NFT pin is reduced and overall life of the writer is prolonged. The main body may comprise any noble metal or metal alloy suitable for achieving optical resonance in an HAMR NFT. The cladding material may be selected such that its coefficient of thermal expansion closely matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pin material.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing the peg region of a near-field transducer incorporated into a write head of a HAMR magnetic recorder. The method includes providing excitation radiation to one or more near-field transducers. The near-field transducers include an enlarged disk region and a peg region at least partially in contact with the enlarged disk region. The method further includes filtering output radiation from the near-field transducers by passing a portion of photoluminescent radiation emitted by the near-field transducers in response to the excitation radiation and substantially blocking the excitation radiation transmitted by the near-field transducers. The method also includes detecting the portion of photoluminescent radiation and characterizing the peg region of at least one of the plurality of near-field transducers.

Abstract: A method and system provides an EAMR transducer. The transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The EAMR transducer includes a composite near field transducer (NFT), a write pole and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The composite NFT is for focusing the energy onto the region of the media. The composite NFT includes at least one metal and at least one insulator therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores disposed near an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. Each waveguide core has a fine ridge feature on a first surface of the waveguide core and configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source. A near field transducer (NFT) is formed at the air bearing surface for focusing light energy received from the waveguide core and transmitting the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes at least one plasmonic metal element disposed above the fine ridge features of the waveguide cores to form an interface for delivering propagating surface plasmon polaritons (PSPPs) to the air bearing surface. Each fine ridge feature is configured with a width approximately equivalent to a width of the heating spot.

Abstract: A TAMR head is disclosed wherein a heat sink with a bilayer configuration surrounds the main pole. There is a planar plasmon generator (PPG) with a front peg portion and a larger back portion between a waveguide and a main pole bottom surface. The PPG generates a surface plasmon mode and heats a spot on a magnetic medium during a write process. A first heat sink layer made of Au contacts a back section of the top surface in the PPG back portion to enable efficient dissipation of heat away from the PPG. The second heat sink layer may be Ru and serves as a barrier between the main pole and first heat sink layer to prevent Au migration into magnetic material, and is thermally stable to at least 450° C. to prevent a thermal breakdown of the heat sink material in proximity to the PPG front end.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use and is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR transducer includes a main pole, at least one additional pole adjacent to the main pole in a down track direction, a waveguide and at least one coil for energizing the main pole. The main pole is configured to write to a region of the media and is recessed from the ABS by a first distance. The additional pole(s) are recessed from the ABS by a second distance greater than the first distance. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and directs a portion of the energy toward the ABS at an acute angle from the ABS. A portion of the waveguide resides between the additional pole(s) and the ABS.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a write head that includes a slider, a write transducer disposed on the slider, and a laser device affixed to the slider. The write transducer is driven by a first electrical signal that is carried on at least one of a plurality of conductive traces of a laminated flexure to which the write head is attached. The laser device is driven by a second electrical signal that is also carried by the same at least one of the plurality of conductive traces. The first signal is characterized by a first frequency, and the second electrical signal is characterized by a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide core having an elongated edge parallel to a substrate plane of the apparatus. An output end of the waveguide core faces a media-facing surface of the apparatus. A plate-like portion of a plasmonic material has a major surface facing the elongated edge of the waveguide core, and the major surface has a narrowed output end facing the media-facing surface. An elongated ridge of the plasmonic material is disposed on at least part of the plate-like portion between an input end and the narrowed output end.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic writer comprising a main write pole and a return write pole. The magnetic recording head includes a write heater assembly comprising at least one first heater subassembly and at least one second heater subassembly. At least part of the magnetic write head is disposed between the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly. When the first heater subassembly, the second heater subassembly, and the magnetic writer are energized, a variation in the thermal protrusion of the head media interface of the magnetic recording head may be less than about 20 nm along the down track and/or cross track directions.

Abstract: Provided is a structure of a heat assisted magnetic recording head gimbal assembly that allows common inexpensive TE-mode LDs to be utilized. The heat assisted magnetic recording head gimbal assembly comprises: a light source unit having a light emitting element mounted on a parabolic solid submount; a heat assisted magnetic recording head comprising a magnetic recording element, a read element, a near field transducer, and a waveguide for guiding light from the light emitting element into the near field transducer; a slider including the heat assisted magnetic recording head and which flies above a disk; and a suspension for supporting the slider.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a heat assisted magnetic recording write heat) includes a magnetic write pole having a tip portion proximate a media-facing surface. A near-field transducer is proximate the tip portion of the magnetic write pole. A first heat sink portion is provided along a first side of the tip portion that faces away from the near field transducer. The first heat sink portion includes a highly reflective, thermally conductive metal and is spaced away from the media facing surface. A second heat sink portion is provided along the first side of the tip portion between the media facing surface and the first heat sink portion. The second heat sink portion includes a relatively hard material.

Abstract: A method and system provide an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive. The EAMR disk drive includes a media, at least one laser coupled with the slider, at least one EAMR head on the slider, and at least one electro-optical modulator (EAM) The EAM(s) are optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. The combination of the laser(s) and EAM(s) provide a pulsed energy output. The EAMR head(s) include at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The waveguide(s) receive the pulsed energy output and direct the pulsed energy output toward the media.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for implementing contact sensing are provided using a near field transducer (NFT) and in-drive NFT characterization diagnostics for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) hard disk drives (HDDs). NFT resistance is monitored and used to determine head to disk contact and spacing. NFT resistance is used to detect NFT head wear.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head has a protective film confined to a window of the disk-facing surface of the slider than surrounds the near-field transducer (NFT) and write pole end. Materials for the protective film include TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, Sc2O3, Y2O3, MgO SiN, BN, SiBN and SiBNC. The slider overcoat is located in the non-window region on the slider's disk-facing surface and optionally also on the window region, with the outer surface of the overcoat forming the slider's ABS. An optional recess may be formed on the disk-facing surface of the slider in the window region, with the protective film located in the recess.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface of the apparatus; a first magnetic pole; and a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the heat sink includes a first and second portion, with the first portion being adjacent the near field transducer and the second portion being adjacent the first magnetic pole, the first portion including a plasmonic material, and the second portion including a diffusion blocking material.

Abstract: A method and system test a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer. The HAMR transducer is optically coupled to at least one laser and has an air-bearing surface. The HAMR transducer includes at least one waveguide, at least one near-field transducer (NFT) and a pole. A portion of the NFT(s) resides at the ABS. The laser(s) are optically coupled to the NFT(s). The method and system include energizing the laser(s) at power(s) while the HAMR transducer is not in proximity to a media. The method and system also include measuring an off-disk protrusion of the portion of the NFT(s) at the ABS while the laser(s) are energized and the HAMR transducer is not in proximity to the media.

Abstract: A method and system provide a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive including a media. The HAMR disk drive also includes a slider, at least one laser, at least one HAMR head on the slider and at least one electro-optical modulator (EOM) optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. The at least one laser and the at least one EOM are coupled to provide a modulated energy output. The at least one EOM controls the modulated energy output to have a characteristic waveform shape. The at least one HAMR head includes at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The at least one waveguide receives the modulated energy output and directs the modulated energy output toward the media.

Abstract: A process sequence for forming a waveguide structure with a light polarization rotator section that converts transverse electric light from a TE light source to transverse magnetic light which is subsequently coupled to a plasmon generator (PG) is disclosed. The light polarization rotator section has a length determined by TE LD light wavelength, and the effective mode index of the two orthogonal fundamental modes, and a slope is formed in one side of the symmetric structure with a 45 degree angle with respect to a bottom surface. Offsets that narrow the cross-track width may be formed on the two sides of the light polarization rotator section to improve symmetry for higher TE to TM polarization conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A magnetic write head is disclosed that includes a slider that includes a laser diode having a light-emitting edge or surface of a laser diode and an optical waveguide. The disclosed magnetic write head also includes a dielectric layer disposed in a gap between the laser diode and an input to the optical waveguide. The dielectric layer fills the gap completely and provides a low-loss optical pathway for the laser diode to the input of the optical waveguide. Also disclosed is a method that includes spinning on a dielectric in a gap between the light-emitting surface and the optical waveguide coupler, wherein after the spinning on, the laser diode is optically coupled to the optical waveguide coupler through the dielectric.

Abstract: A waveguide including a top cladding layer, the top cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n1; an assistant layer, the assistant layer positioned adjacent the top cladding layer, the assistant layer including a material having an index of refraction, n2; a core layer, the core layer positioned adjacent the assistant layer, the core layer including a material having an index of refraction, n3; and a bottom cladding layer, the bottom cladding layer positioned adjacent the core layer, the bottom cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n4, wherein n1 is less than both n2 and n3, n3 is greater than n1 and n4, and n4 is less than n3 and n2.

Abstract: An apparatus has a near-field transducer located proximate a media-facing surface of a slider magnetic recording heat. A waveguide is configured to couple light to the near-field transducer and includes a top cladding layer facing the near-field transducer, a bottom cladding layer, and a core layer between the top and bottom cladding layers. The apparatus includes a write pole with a flat portion substantially parallel to the core layer and a sloped portion extending from the flat portion of the write pole towards the media-facing surface at an angle to the core layer and to the media-facing surface. A light mitigation layer is located between the top cladding layer and the write pole.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic recording head includes a plasmon-generator that generates near-field light (NF light) from a near-field light generating portion on a near field light generator end surface constituting a portion of the medium opposing surface. The plasmon-generator has a first PG part having the near field light generator end surface constituting a portion of the medium opposing surface, and a second PG part positioned at a back side compared to the medium opposing surface when viewed from the medium opposing surface side. When viewed from the medium opposing surface side, the first PG part extends toward the back side from the medium opposing surface, and the second PG part is placed to contact at least a portion of both side surfaces of the first PG part.

Abstract: A waveguide structure with a light polarization rotator section for converting transverse electric light from a TE light source to transverse magnetic light which is subsequently coupled to a plasmon generator (PG) is disclosed. Wavelengths above 800 nm are advantageously used to reduce resistive heating in the PG, and in adjacent cladding and write pole layers to improve the thermally assisted magnetic recording head lifetime. The light polarization rotator section has a length determined by TE LD light wavelength, and the effective mode index of the two orthogonal fundamental modes, and has curved portions to enable a greater length to accommodate longer TE light wavelengths without increasing the waveguide distance between the air bearing surface and back end of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical pathway configured to deliver energy to heat a magnetic recording medium via a slider body. The optical pathway generates heat in the slider body when delivering energy to the magnetic recording medium. The apparatus includes a compensating heater with a thermal characteristic that matches a thermal characteristic of the optical pathway. The compensating heater is activated at least part of the time when the optical pathway is not delivering the energy to the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: While a heat-assisted, magnetic recording media is not being written to, heat applied from a write head to the recording media to facilitate writing to the recording media is removed. Power is applied to a write coil of the write head to control spacing between the write head and the recording media when the recording media is not being written to.

Abstract: A method fabricates a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and that is optically coupled with a laser. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, a waveguide, and at least one protective pad. The write pole has a pole tip with an ABS facing surface. The waveguide is located in a down track direction from the pole tip and directs light from the laser toward the ABS. The protective pad(s) are adjacent to the write pole and have front surface(s) at the ABS.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a waveguide optically coupled with the laser and an optical power monitor optically coupled with the waveguide. The waveguide directs energy from the laser toward the media. The optical power monitor is optically coupled with the waveguide. The optical power monitor for captures a portion of the energy, converts the portion of the energy to heat and measures a local temperature proximate to the optical power monitor.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk. An initial laser power of the laser is configured. After a time interval, an operating laser power of the laser is measured, and when the operating laser power falls below the initial laser power, a control signal applied to the laser is first adjusted until the operating laser power substantially matches the initial laser power. After first adjusting the control signal applied to the laser, a quality metric representing a recording quality of the head is measured, and when the quality metric indicates a poor recording quality, the control signal applied to the laser is second adjusted so that the operating laser power exceeds the initial laser power.

Abstract: There is provided a head-gimbal-assembly for use in heat-assist magnetic recording, excellent in the heat-release characteristic of a laser diode, by inhibiting effects of deterioration in lateral balance, and wind turbulence without adversely affecting efforts to lower a profile of a magnetic disk unit. For this purpose, a sub-mount with a laser diode attached thereto is mounted on either of the right and left lateral faces of a head slider. Further, of two lengths of lead wires for power supply to the laser diode, one length of the lead wire is routed to a lateral face of the head-slider, on the opposite side of a lateral face with the sub-mount attached thereto, after circling around the outer periphery of a head-slider electrode, formed on the gas-outlet side of the head slider.

Abstract: A polarization converter of the invention includes a core part that wave-guides an electromagnetic wave and a cladding part that is provided around the core part. The core part includes a conversion part converting a polarization state of the electromagnetic wave. A cross-sectional shape of the conversion part in a plane orthogonal to a propagation direction of the electromagnetic wave is a shape formed by cutting off a portion of a rectangular or square shape along a jagged diagonal line.

Abstract: A near-field light head of the present invention includes: a slider disposed opposite to a surface of the magnetic recording medium; a recording element that includes a main magnetic pole generating the recording magnetic field and a subsidiary magnetic pole, the recording element being fixed to an apical surface of the slider so that the main magnetic pole and the subsidiary magnetic pole line up in a longitudinal direction of the slider in the state where the subsidiary magnetic pole is located at the apical surface of the slider; a near-field light generating element, fixed adjacently to the main magnetic pole in a state where another end side thereof is directed to the magnetic recording medium, that propagates the light flux introduced from one end side thereof toward the other end side to generate the near-field light, and radiates the near-field light from the other end side to the outside; and a light flux introducing device, fixed to the slider, that introduces the light flux from the one end side in

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive with a primary waveguide that directs laser light from a laser diode to a near-field transducer includes a second waveguide for sensing the head-disk spacing or fly-height. The second waveguide has a sensor portion that senses the spacing and directs light representative of the spacing to the second waveguide's output end. The second waveguide may include a second or reference portion that is connected to the sensor portion and directs light representative of light input from the laser diode. The combined light from the two portions is directed to the second waveguide's output end. A detector, which may be a photo-diode, is located at the second waveguide's output end and provides a signal that may be coupled to a thermal fly-height controller to increase or decrease the fly-height.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive uses a thermal sensor to accurately monitor laser power during writing. The disk drive controller, or a separate processor, computes a prediction of the laser power from a history of laser power settings. This predicted value is compared with the measured value from the thermal sensor. If the difference is too large or too small, indicating that the laser power is too high or too low, an error signal is sent to the disk drive controller. The disk drive controller may adjust the laser power setting and initiate a re-write of the data. The predicted laser power is calculated from a convolution of a sequence of current and prior laser power settings with a sequence of coefficients. A calibration process generates the sequence of coefficients when the disk drive is idle or just after it is powered on.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near-field transducer at or near an air bearing surface of the apparatus. A write pole is disposed at or near the air bearing surface and proximate the near-field transducer, respectively. A thermal sensor is disposed at the air bearing surface and within a protrusion region of the air bearing surface defined relative to at least one of the near-field transducer and the write pole. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a signal indicative of a temperature at the protrusion region.

Abstract: Approaches to an electrical contact to electrically connect a laser module and a suspension that houses a head slider, in the context of a hard disk drive, involves a laser sub-mount electrical contact that includes a metal barrier layer underneath an electrode layer, where the barrier layer material has a lower heat transfer coefficient than the sub-mount material. Consequently, during the soldering process the diffusion of heat to the sub-mount is inhibited and the wettability of the solder is improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods and apparatuses for characterizing near field transducer performance at wafer level using asymmetric interference waveguides are provided. One such system includes a light source, an input grating configured to receive light from the light source, a first waveguide arm and a second waveguide arm, each configured to receive the light, a surface plasmon receptor optically coupled to the first waveguide arm and the second waveguide arm and configured to receive light from the first waveguide arm in a first direction and the second waveguide arm in a second direction opposite of the first direction, where the first and the second waveguide arms are configured to induce a preselected phase difference in light arriving at the surface plasmon receptor, and an output grating optically coupled to the surface plasmon receptor, and a light detector coupled to, and configured to detect light from, the first output grating.

Abstract: A plasmon generator of a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head has a first configuration member having a near-field light generation end surface at an ABS, and a second configuration member being in contact with main magnetic pole, and terminating at a front end portion of a slope positioned at the position recessed from the ABS. An end part of a separator layer, which is interposed between the main magnetic pole and the first configuration member, on a side opposite to the ABS is at a position more recessed from the air bearing surface than the front end portion of the slope of the second configuration member.

Abstract: A plasmon generator of a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head has a first configuration member having a near-field light generation end surface at an ABS, and a second configuration member being in contact with main magnetic pole, and terminating at a front end portion of a slope positioned at the position recessed from the ABS. An end part of a separator layer, which is interposed between the main magnetic pole and the first configuration member, on a side opposite to the ABS is at a position more recessed from the air bearing surface than the front end portion of the slope of the second configuration member.

Abstract: A device comprises a near field transducer (NFT) and electrodes configured to at least one of generate or enhance surface plasmons in the NFT by passing electrical current through a portion of the NFT.

Abstract: A magnetic recording media is disclosed. The media comprises a substrate, a recording layer disposed over the substrate, and a metallic layer disposed between the recording layer and the substrate. The recording layer is configured to receive an electromagnetic radiation, absorb a first portion of the electromagnetic radiation, and transmit a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation. The metallic layer comprises a non-magnetic metal and configured to reflect at least some of the second portion of the electromagnetic radiation towards the recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a reading part, a recording part that is laminated on the reading part in a planer view, a recording part expansion heater, a reading part expansion heater, and a thermal expansion promoting layer that is prepared at a position closer to the reading part than to the recording part and extends to an air bearing surface.

Abstract: A thermally assisted write head having a plasmonic heating device. The plasmonic heating device has a plasmonic antenna located at an air bearing surface of the thermally assisted write head. The plasmonic antenna is constructed of an alloy that is sufficiently hard to withstand the processes such as ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing used to construct the plasmonic antenna. The plasmonic antenna is preferably constructed of AuX, where X is Cu, Ni, Ta, Ti, Zr or Pt having a concentration less than 5 atomic percent.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The method and system include providing a slider, an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, and a top layer on the slider. The top layer includes a mirror well therein and has a substantially flat top surface. The method and system further includes providing a laser including a light-emitting surface and providing a mirror optically coupled with the laser. The laser is coupled to the top surface of the top layer external to the mirror well. The mirror has a bottom surface and a reflective surface facing the light-emitting surface of the laser. A portion of the bottom surface of the mirror is affixed to the top surface of the top layer. A portion of the mirror resides in the mirror well.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium of the present invention includes an under layer formed on a substrate, and a magnetic layer, formed on the under layer, which contains an alloy having an L10-type crystal structure as a main component. The under layer includes, in order from the substrate side, a first under layer with a lattice constant a of 2.87 ??a<3.04 ?, a second under layer having a BCC structure with a lattice constant a of 3.04 ??a<3.18 ?, a third under layer having a BCC structure with a lattice constant a of 3.18 ??a<3.31 ?, and an upper under layer having a NaCl-type crystal structure. The first under layer has a B2 structure, or has a BCC structure containing Cr as a main component. In the magnetic recording medium of the present invention, information is recorded using a heat-assisted magnetic recording type, or a microwave-assisted magnetic recording type.

Abstract: A waveguide structure with a light polarization rotator section for converting transverse electric light from a TE light source to transverse magnetic light which is subsequently coupled to a plasmon generator (PG) is disclosed. Wavelengths above 800 nm are advantageously used to reduce resistive heating in the PG, and in adjacent cladding and write pole layers to improve the thermally assisted magnetic recording head lifetime. The light polarization rotator section has a length determined by TE LD light wavelength, and the effective mode index of the two orthogonal fundamental modes, and preferably has a symmetric structure including a sloped side with a 45 degree angle with respect to a bottom surface. A vertical side of the light polarization rotator section may be coplanar with sides of adjacent waveguide sections. Offsets to the cross-track width are used to improve symmetry for higher TE to TM polarization conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal-assisted-magnetic-recording head capable of irradiating a magnetic recording medium with light with a spot size reduced on the submicron order with high utilization efficiency. A spot size converter 13 for guiding light emitted from an optical source 4 into a magnetic head is provided at a position adjacent to a magnetic main pole 19 in the magnetic head. In the spot size converter 13, a cover layer 15 having a lower refractive index than those of a core 14 and a clad material 24 is formed between the core 14 and the clad 15 and has a shape composed of a shape substantially rectangular in a light traveling direction and a taper shape having a width increasing toward the bottom surface of the magnetic head.