Transducer assembly for thermally assisted writing and read back in data storage devices
A transducer assembly for a data storage system comprises a first transducer for directing electromagnetic radiation onto a storage medium adjacent to a write pole, and a second transducer for directing electromagnetic radiation onto a storage medium adjacent to a read sensor. A data storage apparatus that includes the transducer assembly is also included.
1. A transducer assembly comprising:
a first transducer, having an end adjacent to an air bearing surface and to a write pole, to direct electromagnetic radiation to a first spot on a storage medium adjacent to the write pole; and
a second transducer, having an end adjacent to the air bearing surface and to a read sensor, to direct electromagnetic radiation to a second spot on a storage medium adjacent to the read sensor.
2. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first transducer includes a first planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a first focal point; and
the second transducer includes a second planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a second focal point, wherein the first and second planar waveguides are formed in a common layer.
3. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first transducer includes a first planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a first focal point; and
the second transducer includes a second planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a second focal point, wherein the first and second planar waveguides are formed in different layers separated by a cladding layer.
4. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling structure for coupling either transverse electric mode electromagnetic radiation or transverse magnetic mode electromagnetic radiation into the first transducer.
5. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers.
6. The transducer assembly of claim 5 , wherein the transducer assembly is mounted on a slider, and the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises an actuator for moving the slider.
7. The transducer assembly of claim 5 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
a minor for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation onto the first and second transducers; and
an actuator for moving the minor.
8. The transducer assembly of claim 5 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
an optical fiber for directing the electromagnetic radiation onto the first and second transducers; and
an actuator for moving the optical fiber.
9. The transducer assembly of claim 5 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
a polarization control device.
10. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second transducers includes a near field transducer comprising one of: a metallic pin, a bow tie optical antenna, an aperture, or a ridge waveguide.
11. A data storage apparatus comprising:
a storage medium;
an arm to position a recording head adjacent to the storage medium; and
wherein the recording head includes a transducer assembly comprising a first transducer, having an end adjacent to an air bearing surface and to a write pole, to direct electromagnetic radiation to a first spot on a storage medium adjacent to the write pole, and a second transducer, having an end adjacent to the air bearing surface and to a read sensor, to direct electromagnetic radiation to a second spot on a storage medium adjacent to the read sensor.
12. The data storage apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the first transducer includes a first planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a first focal point; and
the second transducer includes a second planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a second focal point, wherein the first and second planar waveguides are formed in a common layer.
13. The data storage apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the first transducer includes a first planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a first focal point; and
the second transducer includes a second planar waveguide for directing the electromagnetic radiation to a second focal point, wherein the first and second planar waveguides are formed in different layers separated by a cladding layer.
14. The data storage apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a coupling structure for coupling either transverse electric mode electromagnetic radiation or transverse magnetic mode electromagnetic radiation into the first transducer.
15. The data storage apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers.
16. The data storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the transducer assembly is mounted on a slider, and the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises an actuator for moving the slider.
17. The data storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
a mirror for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation onto the first and second transducers; and
an actuator for moving the mirror.
18. The data storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
an optical fiber for directing the electromagnetic radiation onto the first and second transducers; and
an actuator for moving the optical fiber.
19. The data storage apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the device for alternatively directing the electromagnetic radiation to the first and second transducers comprises:
a polarization control device.
20. The data storage apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second transducers includes a near field transducer comprising one of: a metallic pin, a bow tie optical antenna, an aperture, or a ridge waveguide.