Patent ID: 8149654
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A magnetic recording element, comprising: a core through which laser light can propagate in a TM mode, that has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to a propagative direction of the laser light, and through which the laser light can propagate in wave guiding modes: a fundamental mode in which only one portion exists on the cross section of the core where a light intensity of the laser light becomes maximal, and a higher order mode in which two or more portions exist where the light intensity becomes maximal; a clad surrounding the core; a light absorbing element in the clad, the light absorbing element being positioned away from a surface of the core perpendicular to the cross section and perpendicular to the direction in which two or more portions exist where the light intensity becomes maximal, and wherein a distance between the light absorbing element and the core is shorter than a penetration length of evanescent light in the higher order mode, but is longer than a penetration length of evanescent light in the fundamental mode; and a main magnetic pole layer for recording positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS); a plasmon generator extending to the ABS and facing a portion of the core, wherein the plasmon generator comprises one propagative edge extending in a longitudinal direction, and the propagative edge comprises an overlap part that overlaps with the core in the longitudinal direction, and an edge of near-field-generator positioned in the vicinity of an end part of the main magnetic pole layer on the ABS, the overlap part of the propagative edge coupling with a laser light propagating through the waveguide in a surface plasmon mode and generating surface plasmon, and the propagative edge propagating the surface plasmon generated at the overlap part to the edge of near-field-generator.