Patent ID: 9036307
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head for writing to a magnetic recording layer comprising: a head carrier having a recording-layer-facing surface; a write pole on the head carrier and having an end at the recording-layer-facing surface; an optical waveguide on the head carrier for receipt of laser radiation; a near-field transducer (NFT) on the head carrier for optical coupling with the waveguide, the NFT having an output end recessed from the recording-layer-facing surface and facing the write pole end; a protective film on the NFT recessed output end between the NFT recessed output end and the recording-layer-facing surface, the protective film being transparent to radiation at the wavelength of the laser; and an overcoat on the recording-layer-facing surface and covering the write pole end, the overcoat comprised of a material different from the material of the protective film.