Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer having a peg and a disc, the peg having a region adjacent the ABS, the peg including a plasmonic material selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), aluminum (Al), or combinations thereof; and at least one other secondary atom selected from germanium (Ge), tellurium (Te), aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), indium (In), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the secondary atom is higher at the region of the peg adjacent the ABS than a concentration of the secondary atom throughout the bulk of the peg. Methods of forming NFTs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the devices include a write pole; a near field transducer (NFT) including a peg and a disc, wherein the peg is at the ABS of the device; an overcoat, the overcoat including a low surface energy layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a TAMR (thermal assisted magnetic recording) write head. The write head has a metal blocker formed against a distal end of a waveguide. The waveguide focuses optical radiation on an adjacent plasmon generator where it excites plasmon modes that heat the recording medium. Although the plasmon generator typically heats the recording medium using the plasmon near field to supply the required Joule heating, an unblocked waveguide would also send optical radiation to the medium and surrounding structures producing unwanted heating and device unreliability. The role of the blocker is to block the unwanted optical radiation and, thereby, to limit the heating to that supplied by the plasmon near field.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a laser diode configured to generate light during a write operation. A slider comprises a near-field transducer (NFT) and an optical waveguide. The slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and to communicate the light to the NFT via the waveguide. A writer heater of the slider is configured to receive power during the write operation. A thermal sensor is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a sensor signal in response to sensing back-heating from the medium while the NFT generates heat during a write operation. Circuitry, coupled to the thermal sensor, is configured to compare the sensor signal to a threshold and generate an output signal indicative of degradation of NFT performance in response to the sensor signal exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT) layer, the method including depositing a film of a primary element, the film having a film thickness and a film expanse; and implanting at least one secondary element into the primary element, wherein the NFT layer includes the film of the primary element doped with the at least one secondary element.

Abstract: A write head includes a waveguide, a magnetic pole, and a near-field transducer. The near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion and a peg. The peg is separated from the magnetic pole in a downtrack direction by a dielectric gap. A peg coupler covers a bottom surface of the magnetic pole and is separated from the peg. The peg coupler is formed of a first plasmonic material. A pad extends from the peg coupler into part of the gap in the downtrack direction towards the peg. The pad is formed of a second plasmonic material and extends into the write head away from the media-facing surface a distance L that is less than a corresponding distance of the peg coupler.

Abstract: A near-field transducer has an enlarged portion with a peg extending towards a media-facing surface. Two reflectors are located co-planar with near-field transducer and located on either side of the near-field transducer in a crosstrack direction. The two reflectors are separated by a gap proximate the peg of the near-field transducer. The two reflectors each include a first edge at the media facing surface and a second edge at an acute angle to the media-facing surface. The second edge faces the near-field transducer. The two reflectors concentrate the light on the peg of the near-field transducer.

Abstract: A magnetic write apparatus includes a pole and a near field transducer. The pole extends in a yoke direction from a media facing surface where the yoke direction extends perpendicular to the media facing surface. The near field transducer includes a near field transducer cap and a near field transducer nose. The near field transducer nose is separated from the pole by the near field transducer cap and a dielectric gap and the near field transducer nose comprises a bevel surface that forms a bevel angle with a plane extending in the yoke direction.

Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having at least one external surface; and at least one multilayer adhesion layer positioned on at least a portion of the at least one external surface, the multilayer adhesion layer including a first layer and a second layer, with the second layer being in contact with the portion of the at least one external surface of the NFT, the first layer including: yttrium (Y), scandium (Sc), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), silicon (Si), boron (B), tantalum (Ta), barium (Ba), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), calcium (Ca), beryllium (Be), strontium (Sr), magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li), or combinations thereof; and the second layer including: lanthanum (La), boron (B), lutetium (Lu), aluminum (Al), deuterium (D), cerium (Ce), uranium (U), praseodymium (Pr), yttrium (Y), silicon (Si), iridium (Ir), carbon (C), thorium (Th), scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), phosphorus (P), barium (Ba), europium (Eu), or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide core extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a combined transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. A second waveguide core is spaced apart from the first waveguide core and is configured to couple light at a TM mode to the second waveguide core. A near-field transducer (NFT) is disposed at a media-facing surface of a write head, the NFT receiving the light from the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core and heating a magnetic recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: A slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording comprises a magnetic writer, a near-field transducer, and an optical waveguide coupling the near-field transducer to a light source. The writer is situated proximate the near-field transducer at an air bearing surface of the slider and comprises a first return pole, a second return pole, and a write pole situated between and spaced apart from the first return pole and the second return pole. A structural element is situated at or near the air bearing surface between the write pole and one of the first and second return poles. The structural element comprises a cavity. A thermal sensor is disposed in the cavity. The thermal sensor is configured for sensing contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium, asperities of the medium, and output optical power of the light source.

Abstract: A method includes moving a heat-assisted magnetic recording head relative to a magnetic recording medium comprising a plurality of tracks, the head comprising a reader and a writer including a near-field transducer (NFT) optically coupled to a laser diode, the writer comprising a center which is laterally offset relative to a center of the reader to define a writer-reader offset (WRO) therebetween. Patterns are written to a particular track at a plurality of laser diode current levels. The patterns are read and a WRO value is calculated at a peak amplitude position for each of the laser diode current levels. A slope of the WRO values is determined with the laser current diode levels. A health condition of the NFT is determined by determining if the slope is greater than a predetermined threshold indicative of non-uniform activation across the NFT.

Abstract: A plasmon generator generates surface plasmon and generates near-field light from the surface plasmon at a distal end surface situated on an air bearing surface facing a magnetic recording medium. The plasmon generator has a first portion including the distal end surface, a second portion situated away from the air bearing surface, and a separating layer situated between the first portion and the second portion and separating the first portion from the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat assisted magnetic recording and comprising a substrate. At least one component of the slider generates heat when energized. At least one thermal via extends through a portion of the slider from a location proximate the component to the substrate. The thermal via is configured to conduct heat away from the component and to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A near-field transducer comprising a peg is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider, and an optical waveguide of the slider is configured to couple light from a light source to the near-field transducer. The peg comprises a hyperbolic metamaterial, and the near-field transducer may further include an enlarged portion from which the peg extends, where the enlarged portion may also comprise a hyperbolic metamaterial.

Abstract: A recording head has a primary waveguide core with an input end at an input surface of the recording head and extends to a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the recording head. A secondary waveguide core is separated from the primary waveguide core by a gap such that light is evanescently coupled from the primary waveguide core to the secondary waveguide core. The secondary waveguide core has first and second bends such that an output end of the secondary waveguide core is parallel to and separated from the primary waveguide core in a cross-track direction. A polarization rotator rotates a polarization of light in the secondary waveguide core such that polarization-rotated light exits the secondary waveguide core at the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic recording head includes: a main pole that has a main pole end face at an air bearing surface opposing a magnetic recording medium and emits magnetic flux from the main pole end face; a waveguide that propagates laser light as propagation light and has a first waveguide section provided with an incidence end face on which the laser light is incident, a second waveguide section provided with a waveguide end face positioned close to the main pole end face on the air bearing surface, and a third waveguide section that connects the first waveguide section to the second waveguide section; a metal layer surrounds at least a portion of the first waveguide section, the entire circumference of the second waveguide section and at least a portion of the third waveguide section.

Abstract: A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and comprises an NFT and a transparent thermocouple configured to produce a signal indicative of temperature at the NFT. A detector can be coupled to the thermocouple and configured to detect one or both of spacing changes and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A plasmon generator including a wide portion and a narrow portion is manufactured by etching an initial plasmon generator using an etching mask. The etching mask includes a first mask layer for defining the shape of one of the narrow portion and the wide portion, and a second mask layer for defining the shape of the other of the narrow portion and the wide portion. The etching mask is formed by forming a first hard mask, a second initial mask layer and a second hard mask in this order on a first initial mask layer, and etching the first and second initial mask layers by using the first and second hard masks.

Abstract: A slider includes a slot waveguide configured to receive energy from an input surface. The slot waveguide has first and second high-index regions surrounding a middle region that extends along a light propagation direction. The middle region has a refractive index less than that of the first and second high index regions. A near-field transducer is at an output portion of the middle region at media-facing surface. The near-field transducer has first and second plates parallel to the media-facing surface with a gap therebetween. An active laser region has a front facet optically coupled to the input surface of the slider. A reflective back facet of the laser and the near-field transducer define a single optical resonator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed to providing relative movement between a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording and a magnetic recording medium, and causing protrusion of a portion of an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider in response to activating at least a laser source while maintaining spacing between the protrusion and the medium. A magnitude of at least a portion of the protrusion is measured while maintaining spacing between the protrusion and the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface and is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a write pole, a near-field transducer (NFT) proximate the write pole, and an optical waveguide configured to receive light from a light source and couple the light to the NFT. The optical waveguide comprises first and second opposing major surfaces and opposing first and second edges connected to the first and second major surfaces. An optically opaque overlay is disposed on or adjacent one or both of the first and second major surfaces of the optical waveguide. Periodic structures are disposed on a surface of the optically opaque overlay facing the waveguide. The periodic structures are configured to organize stray light emanating from the waveguide for absorption by the optically opaque overlay.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near-field transducer (NFT) of a heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The NFT includes a substantially C-shaped portion and a peg portion extending from the substantially C-shaped portion. A planar member is disposed adjacent the NFT. The planar member includes a bottom surface configured to support surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) that resonantly excite the NFT. A barrier member is installed within the planar member and is arranged to encompass at least a tip portion of the peg.

Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT), the method including the steps of depositing a plasmonic material; depositing an encapsulant material on at least a portion of the plasmonic material; and implanting ions into at least a portion of the plasmonic material through the encapsulant material.

Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT) layer, the method including depositing a film of a primary element, the film having a film thickness and a film expanse; and implanting at least one secondary element into the primary element, wherein the NFT layer includes the film of the primary element doped with the at least one secondary element.

Abstract: A TAMR (thermal assisted magnetic recording) write head has a metal blocker formed against a distal end of a waveguide. The waveguide focuses optical radiation on an adjacent plasmon generator where it excites plasmon modes that heat the recording medium. Although the plasmon generator typically heats the recording medium using the plasmon near field to supply the required Joule heating, an unblocked waveguide would also send optical radiation to the medium and surrounding structures producing unwanted heating and device unreliability. The role of the blocker is to block the unwanted optical radiation and, thereby, to limit the heating to that supplied by the plasmon near field.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surface (ABS), the device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer having a peg and a disc, the peg having a region adjacent the ABS, the peg including a plasmonic material selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), aluminum (Al), or combinations thereof; and at least one other secondary atom selected from germanium (Ge), tellurium (Te), aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), mercury (Hg), indium (In), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and combinations thereof, wherein a concentration of the secondary atom is higher at the region of the peg adjacent the ABS than a concentration of the secondary atom throughout the bulk of the peg, and a method of forming NFT thereof.

Abstract: A lens driver which has a high driving effectiveness and a compact form, and which does not require a precise assembling and a assembling time.

Abstract: A near field transducer includes gold and at least one dopant. The dopant can include at least one of: Cu, Rh, Ru, Ag, Ta, Cr, Al, Zr, V, Pd, Ir, Co, W, Ti, Mg, Fe, or Mo. The dopant concentration may be in a range from 0.5% and 30%. The dopant can be a nanoparticle oxide of V, Zr, Mg, Ca, Al, Ti, Si, Ce, Y, Ta, W, or Th, or a nitride of Ta, Al, Ti, Si, In, Fe, Zr, Cu, W or B.

Abstract: A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having a disc and a peg, and the peg having an air bearing surface thereof; and at least one adhesion layer positioned on at least the air bearing surface of the peg, the adhesion layer including one or more of platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), yttrium (Y), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and scandium (Sc).

Abstract: A near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion formed of a soft plasmonic metal. A diffusion barrier is formed on one side of the enlarged portion, the diffusion barrier made of a harder material than the soft plasmonic metal. A heat sink is formed on the diffusion barrier, the heat sink made of the soft plasmonic metal. A peg is embedded in the diffusion layer so that the peg is isolated from the enlarged portion and the heat sink. The peg made of the soft plasmonic material and extends out from the diffusion layer towards a recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnetic pole and a near-field transducer positioned at or near a media-facing surface and is separated from the magnetic pole, the near-field transducer configured to generate a thermal spot. The apparatus further comprises a layer proximate the magnetic pole and the near-field transducer, and the layer is configured to reduce a magnetic field proximate a center of the thermal spot.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide that delivers energy from an energy source, a write pole located proximate the waveguide at a media-facing surface, and a near-field transducer located proximate the write pole in a down track direction. The near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion and a peg extending from the enlarged portion towards the media-facing surface. The peg comprises a taper facing away from the write pole, and the taper causes a reduced down track dimension of the peg near the media-facing surface.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a main pole and a plasmon generator. The plasmon generator includes a first material portion and a second material portion formed of different materials. The first material portion is located away from the medium facing surface. The second material portion includes a near-field light generating surface. The main pole has a front end face including a first end face portion and a second end face portion. The near-field light generating surface, the first end face portion and the second end face portion are arranged in this order along the direction of travel of a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT), the method including the steps of depositing a primary material; and implanting a secondary element, wherein both the primary material and the secondary element are chosen such that the primary material is densified via implantation of the secondary element.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air-bearing surface (ABS), a write pole at or near the ABS, and a reader at or near the ABS and connected to a pair of reader bond pads of the slider. A near-field transducer (NFT) is formed on the slider at or near the ABS, and an optical waveguide is formed in the slider and configured to receive light from a laser source. A sensor is situated proximal of the write pole at a location within the slider that receives at least some of the light communicated along the waveguide. The sensor may be electrically coupled to the reader bond pads in parallel with the reader, and configured to generate a signal indicative of output optical power of the laser source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide that has a core between the first and second cladding layers. A near-field transducer in the first cladding layer is configured to receive the energy from the waveguide and deliver the energy to a recording medium. A reflector in the second cladding layer is configured to reduce reflection of the energy from the recording medium back to an energy source.

Abstract: Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having a disc and a peg, and the peg having five surfaces thereof; and at least one adhesion layer positioned on at least one of the five surfaces of the peg, the adhesion layer including one or more of the following: yttrium (Y), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), carbon (C), holmium (Ho), gallium (Ga), silver (Ag), ytterbium (Yb), chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), iridium (Ir), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), scandium (Sc), cobalt (Co), silicon (Si), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), vanadium (V), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), hafnium (Hf), carbon (C), boron (B), holmium (Ho), antimony (Sb), gallium (Ga), manganese (Mn), silver (Ag), indium (In), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), ytterbium (Yb), and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plasmon generator includes the steps of: forming an initial film made of a metal polycrystal and including a pre-plasmon-generator portion that later becomes the plasmon generator; heating the initial film with heating light so that a plurality of crystal grains constituting the metal polycrystal grow at least in the pre-plasmon-generator portion; stopping the heating of the initial film; and forming the plasmon generator by processing the initial film after the step of stopping the heating. The step of forming the plasmon generator includes the step of providing the pre-plasmon-generator portion with a front end face that generates near-field light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a write head comprising a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the write head and a waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction. The waveguide is configured to receive light emitted from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric mode. The waveguide is configured to deliver the light to the near-field transducer at a transverse magnetic mode which directs surface plasmons to a recording medium in response thereto. The waveguide comprises a core with first and second tapers separated by a straight portion of constant cross sectional width. The first and second tapers successively decrease a cross-sectional width of the core as it nears the near-field transducer. The waveguide includes an end portion between the second taper and the near field transducer. The end portion comprises a top cladding layer, aside cladding layer, and a bottom cladding layer on the side cladding layer.

Abstract: A procedure for detecting the presence of contamination at a head-disk interface in a heat- assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) hard disk drive involves flying a head slider over a magnetic-recording disk at a particular fly height, applying an oscillating signal to a heat source associated with a HAMR near-field transducer (NFT) that is located in the slider to dither the spacing between the NFT and the disk, and determining, based on change to a contact detection signal, that contamination has accumulated on the slider, generally, or on the NFT, specifically. Burnishing the contamination from the slider may then be performed, by bringing the slider into contact with the disk.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the fly height of a transducer. In some embodiments, a data pattern is written to a rotating data recording surface using a transducer having a write element, a read element and a thermal assist energy source. A first protrusion distance for the read element induced by operation of the energy source is determined responsive to first and second readback amplitudes obtained from the data pattern using different first and second power levels applied to the energy source. A second protrusion distance for the write element induced by the energy source is determined responsive to the first protrusion distance.

Abstract: During field operation of a heat-assisted magnetic recording data storage device, a laser adjustment procedure is performed. The laser adjustment procedure involves writing on a recording medium at least three tracks. If a bit error rate of a middle tracks has increased, the laser current is swept while recording test tracks to determine a new laser current that results in a minimum bit error rate. The new laser current is used for subsequent write operations.

Abstract: A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT), the method including the steps of depositing a plasmonic material; depositing an encapsulant material on at least a portion of the plasmonic material; and implanting ions into at least a portion of the plasmonic material through the encapsulant material.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a magnetic head having: a near field transducer, an optical waveguide for illumination of the near field transducer, and an anti-reflection block positioned along the optical waveguide farther from a media facing side of the magnetic head than the near field transducer. The anti-reflection block is positioned a distance from the near field transducer to destructively interfere with light reflected away from the near field transducer. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head, a submount, and an interface defined between the slider and the submount. A laser diode is connected to the submount. A metal layer is provided at the interface between the slider and the submount. The metal layer connects at least about 30% of the surface area of the submount at the interface to the slider and serves as a thermal conduction pathway between the submount and the slider.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider and an optical waveguide formed in the slider and configured to receive light from a laser source. A near-field transducer (NFT) is formed on the slider at or near an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider and optically coupled to the waveguide. A bolometric sensor is positioned proximate the NFT and exposed to at least some of the light. The bolometric sensor is configured to detect changes in output optical power of the laser source and contact between the slider and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), and at least two other secondary atoms, the at least two other secondary atoms selected from: boron (B), bismuth (Bi), indium (In), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), manganese (Mn), tellurium (Te), holmium (Ho), lutetium (Lu), praseodymium (Pr), scandium (Sc), uranium (U), barium (Ba), chlorine (Cl), cesium (Cs), dysprosium (Dy), europium (Eu), fluorine (F), germanium (Ge), hydrogen (H), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), terbium (Tb), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), carbon (C), antimony (Sb), gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm), thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), neodymium (Nd), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), erbium (Er), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), palladium (Pd), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), thorium (Th), beryllium (Be), thulium (Tm), erbium

Abstract: A method for annealing a metal antenna of a near field optical transducer of a magnetic write element without inadvertently heat damaging the read element. A heating element is placed within a write head build in a cerf region outside of the active area of the read and write heads. A layer of thermally conductive, electrically insulating material is formed over the heating element to separate the heating element from the antenna. The thermally conductive, electrically insulating layer is preferably in contact with the antenna. A current can be applied to the heating element to heat the antenna to a temperature that is at or above the operating temperature of the optical transducer. After annealing, the heater element can be removed by the lapping process that is used to define the media facing surface of the head.

Abstract: A system may have a data storage medium that contains at least one data bit that is accessed by a transducing head that has a near-field transducer. A controller can be connected to the transducing head and store a plurality of near-field transducer operating currents in a memory. The controller may identify a change in efficiency of the near-field transducer from the plurality of near-field transducer operating currents.