Abstract:
A waveguide that includes a first cladding layer, the first cladding layer having an index of refraction, n3; a gradient index layer positioned adjacent the first cladding layer; an assist layer positioned adjacent the gradient index layer, the assist layer having an index of refraction, n2; a core layer positioned adjacent the assist layer, the core layer having an index of refraction, n1; and a second cladding layer, the second cladding layer having an index of refraction, n4, wherein n1 is greater than n2, n3, and n4; and n2 is greater than n3 and n4.
Abstract:
A polarization rotator rotates a portion of light received from an input surface to an orthogonal polarization. A polarization splitter is coupled to the polarization rotator and includes a channel waveguide section that transmits the rotated portion of the light towards an output surface. The splitter also includes a splitter waveguide separated from the channel waveguide section by a dielectric gap. The splitter waveguide couples an unrotated portion of the light away from a target region of the output surface.
Abstract:
A recording head has a near-field transducer proximate a media facing surface of the read/write head. A waveguide overlaps and delivers light to the near-field transducer. A subwavelength focusing mirror is at an end of the waveguide proximate the media-facing surface. The subwavelength focusing mirror recycles a residual transverse field for excitation of the near-field transducer.
Abstract:
A recording head has a near-field transducer proximate a media facing surface of the read/write head. A waveguide overlaps and delivers light to the near-field transducer. A subwavelength focusing mirror is at an end of the waveguide proximate the media-facing surface. The subwavelength focusing mirror recycles a residual transverse field for excitation of the near-field transducer.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprises a waveguide having an input end that receives energy in a transverse electric (TE00) mode from an energy source along a substrate-parallel plane. The apparatus also includes a near-field transducer located proximate an output end of the waveguide that receives the energy in the TE00 mode. The output end of the waveguide is at an oblique angle to a cross-track line at an intersection of a media-facing surface and the substrate-parallel plane. The near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion at the oblique angle to the cross-track line.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction between a light source and a media-facing surface. The waveguide comprises an assistant layer configured to receive light from a light source, truncated with an intermediate bottom cladding layer. A core layer comprises a coupling end configured to receive light from the assistant layer. The coupling end comprises a taper that widens toward the media-facing surface. A near field transducer is disposed proximate the media-facing surface and is configured to receive the light from the core layer.
Abstract:
An apparatus including a waveguide input coupler, a tapered branch waveguide, and a waveguide adaptor physically connected to the waveguide input coupler proximal end and to the branch waveguide proximal end. The waveguide input coupler includes a distal end having a distal end width and a proximal end having a proximal end width. The tapered branch waveguide includes a distal end having a distal end width and a proximal end having a proximal end width, the branch waveguide distal end width being greater than the branch waveguide proximal end width. The waveguide input coupler, the branch waveguide, and the waveguide adapter are configured to convert input light having a base transverse waveguide mode to output light having a higher-order waveguide mode.
Abstract:
An approach for characterizing an optical near field transducer (NFT) involves providing excitation radiation to the NFT. The NFT emits photoluminescent radiation in response to the excitation radiation. The output radiation from the NFT is filtered so that a portion of the photoluminescent radiation emitted by the NFT passes through the filter and the excitation radiation is substantially blocked. A detector detects the portion of photoluminescent radiation and outputs an electrical signal in response to detection of the portion of photoluminescent radiation.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a slider body, a laser diode, an optical path, and a heating element. The laser diode is configured to produce energy and is subject to temperature changes as a result of producing energy. The optical path within the slider body is configured to deliver the energy to heat a magnetic recording medium. The heating element is disposed along a length of the optical path within the slider body and is configured to control a temperature of the optical path to mitigate temperature-induced mode hopping of the laser diode.
Abstract:
An apparatus is includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent a media-facing surface and at the end of a waveguide having at least one core layer and a cladding layer. The apparatus also includes at least one optical reflector positioned adjacent opposing cross-track edges of the near field transducer and/or adjacent a down-track side of the near-field transducer.