IP Library Granted Patent US 8,861,135
Granted Patent B2
US 8,861,135 · App. 13/645,057 · Granted Oct 14, 2014

Thermally-assisted magnetic write head, head gimbal assembly, head arm assembly, and magnetic disk unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,861,135
App. No.
13/645,057
Granted
Oct 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thermally-assisted magnetic write head includes a waveguide, a magnetic pole, and a plasmon generator interposed between the waveguide and the magnetic pole. The magnetic pole includes a first surface exposed on an air bearing surface, a second surface facing the plasmon generator, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface.

Claims (25)

1. A thermally-assisted magnetic write head comprising:

a waveguide;

a magnetic pole; and

a plasmon generator interposed between the waveguide and the magnetic pole, wherein

the magnetic pole includes a first surface exposed on an air bearing surface, a second surface facing the plasmon generator, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and

the third surface extending away from the plasmon generator when approaching the air bearing surface.

2. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the third surface includes a flat surface inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface, or includes a curved surface.

3. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein a front end surface of the magnetic pole and a front end surface of the plasmon generator are separated away from each other in the air bearing surface.

4. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein a width of a front end surface of the magnetic pole is larger than a width of a front end surface of the plasmon generator.

5. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 4 , wherein a width of the waveguide is larger than the width of the front end surface of the magnetic pole.

6. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 5 , wherein the plasmon generator includes a forward section and a backward section, the forward section having a uniform width, the backward section being connected to a rear end of the forward section and having a width increasing with increase in distance from the forward section.

7. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 2 , wherein the curved surface included in the third surface has a radius of curvature of 100 nm or less.

8. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 2 , wherein an external angle between the flat surface included in the third surface and the air bearing surface is equal to or smaller than 45°.

9. The thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide and the plasmon generator are separated away from each other.

10. A head gimbal assembly comprising:

a magnetic head slider having a side surface, the side surface being provided with the thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 ; and

a suspension having an end, the end being provided with the magnetic head slider.

11. A head arm assembly comprising:

a magnetic head slider having a side surface, the side surface being provided with the thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 ;

a suspension having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided with the magnetic head slider; and

an arm supporting the second end of the suspension.

12. A magnetic disk unit with a magnetic recording medium and a head arm assembly, the head arm assembly comprising:

a magnetic head slider having a side surface, the side surface being provided with the thermally-assisted magnetic write head according to claim 1 ;

a suspension having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided with the magnetic head slider; and

an arm supporting the second end of the suspension.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 12, 2013
From: TDK CORPORATION
To: TDK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030651/0687 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2012
From: TAKANO, KENICHI
To: TDK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029212/0434 →