Patent ID: 8400885
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, comprising: a pole that generates a writing magnetic field from an end surface that forms a part of an air bearing surface that opposes a magnetic recording medium; a waveguide that propagates light to excite surface plasmon; and a plasmon generator that is provided between the pole and the waveguide and that generates near-field light from a near-field light generating end surface that forms a part of the air bearing surface by coupling with the light in a surface plasmon mode, wherein the plasmon generator includes a flat plate part and a projection part that projects from the flat plate part to the waveguide side and is provided closer to a trailing side than the pole is, wherein the flat plate part includes a first surface that faces the waveguide and a second surface that faces the pole, the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel with each other, the projection part projects from the first surface to the waveguide side, a gap between a surface of the projection part that faces the waveguide and the waveguide is smaller than a gap between the first surface and the waveguide, as viewed from air bearing surface.