Planar waveguide for heat assisted magnetic recording
First Claim
1. A recording head comprising:
- a magnetic write pole; and
a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a second optical layer positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Recording heads are provided that comprise a magnetic write pole, and a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a second optical layer for coupling an electromagnetic wave to the first optical layer at a resonant incident angle. The second optical layer for coupling an electromagnetic wave to the first optical layer at a resonant incident angle is positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer and/or a diffraction grating. A mode index lens can also be provided for confining the electromagnetic wave in a direction parallel to the plane of the first optical layer. Disc drives incorporating the recording heads and a method of magnetic recording performed by the recording heads are also disclosed.
80 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A recording head comprising:
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a magnetic write pole; and a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a second optical layer positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A recording head comprising:
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a magnetic write pole; and a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a grating positioned on a surface of the first metal layer for coupling an electromagnetic wave into the first optical layer. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A disc drive comprising:
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a motor for rotating a storage medium; and an arm for positioning a recording head adjacent to a surface of the storage medium; wherein the recording head comprises a magnetic write pole and a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a second optical layer positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A disc drive comprising:
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a motor for rotating a storage medium; and an arm for positioning a recording head adjacent to a surface of the storage medium; wherein the recording head comprises a magnetic write pole and a planar waveguide positioned adjacent to the magnetic write pole, the planar waveguide including a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers, and a grating positioned on a surface of the first metal layer for coupling an electromagnetic wave into the first optical layer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of magnetic recording comprising:
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creating a surface plasmon wave in a waveguide positioned adjacent to a magnetic recording pole; using the electromagnetic fields from the surface plasmon wave to heat a portion of a recording medium; and using magnetic flux from the recording pole to change the magnetization of the portion of the recording medium. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A planar waveguide comprising:
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a first metal layer; a second metal layer; a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers; a second optical layer positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer; and a mode index lens positioned within the first optical layer for confining the electromagnetic wave in a direction parallel to the plane of the first optical layer.
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24. A planar waveguide comprising:
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a first metal layer; a second metal layer; a first optical layer positioned between the first and second metal layers; a second optical layer positioned adjacent to a surface of the second metal layer opposite the first optical layer; and an opaque layer positioned at an end of the first optical layer and defining an aperture for confining the electromagnetic wave in a direction parallel to the plane of the first optical layer.
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Specification