Patent ID: 8059496
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAMR) head comprising: (a) a main pole layer having a first side formed substantially perpendicular to an air bearing surface (ABS) and with a write pole end at the ABS comprised of a first edge on the first side having a width in a cross-track direction, and a second edge on a side opposite the first side, said main pole layer produces a magnetic field on a magnetic medium during a write process; (b) an optical waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation from a light source to a plasmon antenna, said optical waveguide has a first side facing a plasmon antenna; (c) the plasmon antenna having a first side and magnetic core formed adjacent to the first side of the main pole layer, a second side and third side comprised of a plasmon layer overlaid on the magnetic core and converging at a vertex (tip) formed proximate to the optical waveguide, and an end facing the ABS, said plasmon layer generates an edge plasmon mode proximate to the vertex when coupled with electromagnetic radiation from the optical waveguide; and (d) a magnetic layer which is magnetically connected to said magnetic core and formed between the end of the plasmon layer and the ABS, said magnetic layer transmits magnetic flux from the main pole layer and transmits energy from the edge plasmon mode onto a localized region of said magnetic medium thereby heating said localized region and reducing its magnetic coercivity and anisotropy.