HAMR read-write head with coupler and waveguide
Described are heat assisted magnetic read-write heads that include a coupler, a waveguide, a transducer, and appurtenant structures.
1. An apparatus comprising:
an optical coupler that receives light from a light source at a coupler input facet, the optical coupler having a length that extends from the coupler input facet in a direction of light propagation through the optical coupler,
a waveguide coupled to the optical coupler along the length of the optical coupler at a coupler-waveguide interface, wherein the coupler-waveguide interface is spaced a distance in a range from 1 to 30 microns from the coupler input facet, and
a near-field transducer coupled to the waveguide, that provides electromagnetic heating for a heat assisted magnetic recording write head.
2. An apparatus of claim 1 , the optical coupler having a straight portion that has a length in a range from 40 to 120 microns.
3. An apparatus of claim 1 , the optical coupler having
a thickness in a range from 0.5 to 2 microns, and
a width in a range from 2 to 6 microns.
4. An apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a refractive index of the waveguide is greater than a refractive index of the optical coupler.
5. An apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is made of NbOx.
6. An apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optical coupler is made of SiON.
7. An apparatus of claim 1 , comprising cladding that surrounds the optical coupler, wherein the cladding is made of SiO 2 .
8. A method of recording data using an apparatus of claim 1 .
9. A method of preparing a light guidance system comprising an apparatus of claim 1 , the apparatus comprising:
a light source,
an optical coupler that receives light excited by a light source at a coupler input facet, the optical coupler having a length extending from the input facet in a direction of a light propagation through the optical coupler,
a waveguide coupled to the optical coupler along the length of the optical coupler at a coupler-waveguide interface, wherein the coupler-waveguide interface is spaced a distance in a range from 1 to 30 microns from the coupler input facet, and
a near-field transducer coupled to the waveguide, that provides electromagnetic heating for a heat assisted magnetic recording write head,
the method comprising forming the waveguide to form the coupler-waveguide interface spaced from the coupler input facet.
10. An apparatus comprising:
an optical coupler that receives light from a light source at a coupler input facet, the optical coupler having a length that extends from the coupler input facet in a direction of light propagation through the optical coupler, wherein the optical coupler has a straight portion having a length in a range from 40 to 120 microns,
a waveguide coupled to the optical coupler along the length of the optical coupler at a coupler-waveguide interface, the coupler-waveguide interface being spaced from the coupler input facet, and
a near-field transducer coupled to the waveguide, that provides electromagnetic heating for a heat assisted magnetic recording write head.
11. An apparatus of claim 10 , the optical coupler having
a thickness in a range from 0.5 to 2 microns, and
a width in a range from 2 to 6 microns.
12. An apparatus of claim 10 , wherein a refractive index of the waveguide is greater than a refractive index of the optical coupler.
13. An apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the waveguide is made of NbOx.
14. An apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the optical coupler is made of SiON.
15. An apparatus of claim 10 , comprising cladding that surrounds the optical coupler, wherein the cladding is made of SiO 2 .
16. An apparatus comprising:
an optical coupler that receives light from a light source at a coupler input facet, the optical coupler having a length that extends from the coupler input facet in a direction of light propagation through the optical coupler, wherein the optical coupler comprises:
a thickness in a range from 0.5 to 2 microns, and
a width in a range from 2 to 6 microns,
a waveguide coupled to the optical coupler along the length of the optical coupler at a coupler-waveguide interface, the coupler-waveguide interface being spaced from the coupler input facet, and
a near-field transducer coupled to the waveguide, that provides electromagnetic heating for a heat assisted magnetic recording write head.
17. An apparatus of claim 16 , the optical coupler having a straight portion that has a length in a range from 40 to 120 microns.
18. An apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a refractive index of the waveguide is greater than a refractive index of the optical coupler.
19. An apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the waveguide is made of NbOx.
20. An apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the optical coupler is made of SiON.