Abstract:
A method fabricates a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and that is optically coupled with a laser. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, a waveguide, and at least one protective pad. The write pole has a pole tip with an ABS facing surface. The waveguide is located in a down track direction from the pole tip and directs light from the laser toward the ABS. The protective pad(s) are adjacent to the write pole and have front surface(s) at the ABS.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/807,530, filed on Apr. 2, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a portion a conventional HAMR disk drive  100 . For clarity,  FIG. 1  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the conventional HAMR disk drive  10  are shown. The HAMR disk drive  10  includes media  12 , a slider  15 , a HAMR head  20 , and a laser assembly  30 . Although not shown, the slider  15  and thus the laser assembly  30  and HAMR transducer  20  are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The HAMR transducer  20  includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media  12  during use. The HAMR transducer  12  includes a waveguide  22 , write pole  24 , coil(s)  26  and near-field transducer (NFT)  28 . The waveguide  22  guides light to the NFT  28 , which resides near the ABS. The NFT  28  focuses the light to magnetic recording media  12 , heating a region of the magnetic media  12  at which data are desired to be recorded. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  24  energized by the coils  26  to a modest magnetic field. 
     Although the conventional HAMR disk drive  10  functions, there are drawbacks. The pole  24  and NFT  28  include regions that are at the air-bearing surface (ABS). These regions may be surrounded by materials such as alumina and silica. The pole  24  and/or NFT  28  may inadvertently contact the media  12  or may come into contact with the media  12  during touchdown. As a result, structures in the HAMR transducer  12  may be subject to damage. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved HAMR transducer having improved robustness and/or reliability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting a conventional HAMR disk drive. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head disk drive 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR disk drive. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a HAMR head. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for fabricating a HAMR transducer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 . For clarity,  FIG. 2  is not to scale. For simplicity not all portions of the HAMR disk drive  100  are shown. In addition, although the HAMR disk drive  100  is depicted in the context of particular components other and/or different components may be used. For example, circuitry used to drive and control various portions of the HAMR disk drive  100  is not shown. For simplicity, only single components  102 ,  110 ,  120  and  150  are shown. However, multiples of each components  102 ,  110 ,  120 , and/or  150  and their sub-components, might be used. 
     The HAMR disk drive  100  includes media  102 , a slider  110 , a HAMR transducer  120 , and a laser assembly  150 . Additional and/or different components may be included in the HAMR disk drive  100 . Although not shown, the slider  110 , and thus the laser assembly  150  and HAMR transducer  120  are generally attached to a suspension (not shown). The HAMR transducer  120  is fabricated on the slider  110  and includes an air-bearing surface (ABS) proximate to the media  102  during use. In general, the HAMR transducer  120  includes a write transducer and a read transducer. However, for clarity, only the write portion of the HAMR head  120  is shown. The HAMR head  120  includes a waveguide  122 , write pole  124 , coil(s)  126 , near-field transducer (NFT)  128 , protective pad(s)  130  and shield(s)  140 . In other embodiments, different and/or additional components may be used in the HAMR head  120 . The waveguide  122  guides light to the NFT  128 , which resides near the ABS. The NFT  128  utilizes local resonances in surface plasmons to focus the light to magnetic recording media  102 . At resonance, the NFT  128  couples the optical energy of the surface plasmons efficiently into the recording medium layer of the media  102  with a confined optical spot which is much smaller than the optical diffraction limit. This optical spot can rapidly heat the recording medium layer to near or above the Curie point. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  124  energized by the coils  126  to a modest magnetic field. The write pole  124  is thus formed of high saturation magnetization material(s) such as CoFe. 
     The laser assembly  150  includes a submount  152  and a laser  154 . The submount  152  is a substrate to which the laser  154  may be affixed for improved mechanical stability, ease of manufacturing and better robustness. The laser  154  may be a chip such as a laser diode. Thus, the laser  154  typically includes at least a resonance cavity, a gain reflector on one end of the cavity, a partial reflector on the other end of the cavity and a gain medium. For simplicity, these components of the laser  154  are not shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the laser  154  may be an edge emitting laser, a vertical surface emitting laser (VCSEL) or other laser. 
     In operation, the laser  154  emits light that is provided to the waveguide  122 . The waveguide  122  directs the modulated light to the NFT  128 . The NFT  128  focuses the modulated light to a region of magnetic recording media  102  using surface plasmons. The NFT  128  thus couples the optical energy of the modulated light into the recording medium layer of the media  102  with a confined optical spot that is much smaller than the optical diffraction limit. This optical spot can typically heat the recording medium layer above the Curie point on the sub-nanosecond scale. High density bits can be written on a high coercivity medium with the pole  124  energized by the coils  126  to a modest magnetic field. 
     In addition, the HAMR transducer  120  includes protective pads  130  and shield(s)  140 . The shield(s)  140  are recessed from the ABS, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . In the absence of the protective pads  130 , therefore, the some other material would reside between the shield(s)  140  and the ABS. For example, if the protective pads  130  were not present alumina or silicon dioxide might reside between the shield(s)  140  and the ABS. The protective pads  130  are termed “protective” because in some embodiments, the protective pad(s) may protect the NFT  128  and the pole  124  if the transducer  120  inadvertently contacts the media  102 . Although shown in the down track direction from the pole  124 , at least some of the protective pad(s)  140  may reside in the cross track direction from the pole  124 . In some embodiments, the protective pad(s)  140  include magnetic material. In other embodiments the protective pad(s)  140  include nonmagnetic material(s). For example, the protective pad(s)  140  may include at least one of NiFe, tantalum oxide, CoNiFe, Ta and aluminum nitride. In some embodiments, the protective pad(s)  140  include or consist of material(s) that have substantially the same etch and/or lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . In some embodiments, the protective pad(s)  140  include or consist of material(s) that have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the shield(s)  140 . The protective pad(s)  130  may also have substantially the same thermal characteristics as the pole  124  and surrounding structures. For example, the protective pad(s)  130  may have substantially the same thermal conductivity as the pole  130 . In addition, the material(s) used for the pad(s)  130  are desired to have little or no impact on the optical and magnetic performance of the transducer  120 . 
     The pad(s)  130  may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 . In particular, the pad(s)  130  may improve the wear resistance of the HAMR transducer  120 . The pad(s)  130  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . In such embodiments, the removal rate of the pad(s)  130  during fabrication is substantially the same as the pole  124 . Thus, the pole  124  may not protrude from the ABS with respect to surrounding structures. Instead, the recession of the pole  124  may be approximately the same as the pads  130 . This may be in contrast to the conventional HAMR transducer  20 , in which aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide structures surrounding the pole  24  are recessed from the pole because the surrounding structures&#39; removal rates are greater than that of the pole  24 . Thus, the pad(s)  130  may reduce the likelihood of or prevent the pole  124  from being the closest point to the media  102 . As a result, the pad(s)  130  may protect the pole  124  if the transducer  120  contacts the media  102 . The pad(s)  130  may also protect the pole  124  during touchdown. This is particularly true if the pad(s)  130  are sufficiently large at the ABS. If the pad(s)  130  have similar thermal properties to the pole  124 , then expansion or contraction of the structures  130  and  124  may be similar during operation of the HAMR disk drive  100 . Thus, the pad(s)  130  may still protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pad(s)  130  may be of nonmagnetic material or magnetic material configured to reduce their impact to the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 . Thus, the pole  124  used in writing to the media  102  may be protected from damage and/or wear. Thus, performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100  may be improved. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 ′.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  100 ′ is analogous to the HAMR disk drive  100 . However, some other components, such as the media  102  depicted in  FIG. 2  are not shown for simplicity. In contrast, similar components shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  have analogous labels to those in  FIG. 2 . The HAMR transducer  100 ′ includes an NFT  128 , a waveguide  122  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) and write pole  124  analogous to those depicted in  FIG. 2 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the write pole includes a pole tip region that has an ABS facing surface and is adjacent to the NFT  128 . In addition, shields  142  and  144  corresponding to shield  140  are also shown. Note that the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. The shields  142  and  144  are also in the down track direction from the pole  124 . 
     The HAMR transducer  120 ′ also includes two protective pads  132  and  134  that correspond to the pad(s)  130  shown in  FIG. 2 . Referring back to  FIGS. 3A-3B , the pads  132  and  134  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . Each of the pads  132  and  134  may include at least one of NiFe, tantalum oxide, CoNiFe, Ta and aluminum nitride. A portion of each of the pads  132  and  134  resides at the ABS. The pads  132  and  134  may be made of nonmagnetic material(s) or magnetic material(s). If the pad  134  is magnetic, a nonmagnetic layer  135  may be interposed between the pad  134  and the shield(s)  142  and  144 . If the pad  132  is magnetic, then a nonmagnetic layer (not shown) may be interposed between the pad  132  and the write pole  124 . In the embodiment shown, the pad  132  includes two parts on either side of the pole  124  in the cross track direction. More specifically, portions of the pad  132  may adjacent to the tip of the pole  124 . In other embodiments, the portions of the pad  132  adjoin the tip of the pole. In some embodiments, the width of each portion of the pad  132  is at least four microns in the cross track direction. Thus, the width of each portion of the pad  132  is at least five microns. In some embodiments, the total width is at least ten microns. In some embodiments, the pad  134  has a width of at least one and not more than five microns in the down track direction and at least four and not more than sixteen microns in the cross-track direction. 
     The pad  134  resides between the shields  142  and  144  and the ABS. Thus, the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. Further, a nonmagnetic layer  135  resides between pad  134  and the shields  142  and  144 . The nonmagnetic layer  135  may be used if the pad  134  is magnetic. In some embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  135  is at least 0.25 microns thick. In some such embodiments, the nonmagnetic layer  135  is at least 0.5 microns thick. The nonmagnetic layer  135  may be not more than one micron thick. 
     The pads  132  and  134  may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 ′. The pads  132  and  134  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . In such embodiments, the removal rate of the pads  132  and  134  during fabrication is substantially the same as the pole  124 . Thus, the pole  124  may not protrude from the ABS with respect to the pads  132  and  134 . As a result, the pads  132  and  134  may protect the pole  124  if the transducer  120 ′ contacts the media (not shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The pads  132  and  134  may also protect the pole  124  during touchdown, particularly as the pads  132  and  134  may be sufficiently large at the ABS. If the pads  132  and  134  have similar thermal properties to the pole  124 , then expansion or contraction of the pads  132  and  134  and pole  124  may be similar during operation of the HAMR disk drive  100 ′. Thus, the pads  132  and  134  may still protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pads  132  and  134  may be of nonmagnetic material or magnetic material configured to reduce their impact to the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 ′. Thus, the pole  124  may be protected from damage and/or wear. Thus, performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100 ′ may be improved. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 ″.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  100 ″ is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100  and  100 ′. However, some other components, such as the media  102  depicted in  FIG. 2  are not shown for simplicity. In contrast, similar components shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  have analogous labels to those in FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B. The HAMR transducer  100 ″ includes an NFT  128 , a waveguide  122  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) and write pole  124  analogous to those depicted in FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B. As can be seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the write pole includes a pole tip region that has an ABS facing surface and is adjacent to the NFT  128 . In addition, shields  142  and  144  corresponding to shield  140  are also shown. Note that the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. The shields  142  and  144  are also in the down track direction from the pole  124 . 
     The HAMR transducer  120 ″ also includes a single protective pad  132  that corresponds to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134  shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  3 B. Referring back to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the pad  132  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . The pad  132  may include at least one of NiFe, tantalum oxide, CoNiFe, Ta and aluminum nitride. A portion of the pad  132  resides at the ABS. The pad  132  may be made of nonmagnetic material(s) or magnetic material(s). If the pad  132  is magnetic, then a nonmagnetic layer (not shown) may be interposed between the pad  132  and the pole  124 . In the embodiment shown, the pad  132  includes two parts on either side of the pole  124  in the cross track direction. More specifically, portions of the pad  132  may adjacent to the tip of the pole  124 . In other embodiments, the portions of the pad  132  adjoin the tip of the pole. In some embodiments, the width of each portion of the pad  132  is at least four microns in the cross track direction. Thus, the width of each portion of the pad  132  is at least five microns. In some embodiments, the total width is not more than ten microns. 
     The pad  132  may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 ′ in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134 . The pad  132  may protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pad  132  may be of nonmagnetic material or magnetic material configured to reduce their impact to the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 ′. Thus, the pole  124  may be protected from damage and/or wear. Thus, performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100 ″ may be improved. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 ′″.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  100 ′″ is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′ and  100 ″. However, some other components, such as the media  102  depicted in  FIG. 2  are not shown for simplicity. In contrast, similar components shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  have analogous labels to those in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B. The HAMR transducer  100 ″ includes an NFT  128 , a waveguide  122  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) and write pole  124  analogous to those depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the write pole includes a pole tip region that has an ABS facing surface and is adjacent to the NFT  128 . In addition, shields  142  and  144  corresponding to shield  140  are also shown. Note that the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. The shields  142  and  144  are also in the down track direction from the pole  124 . 
     The HAMR transducer  120 ′″ also includes two protective pads  132 ′ and  134 ′ that correspond to the pad(s)  130 ,  132  and  134  shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B. Referring back to  FIGS. 5A-5B , the pads  132 ′ and  134 ′ may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . Each of the pads  132  and  134  may include at least one of tantalum oxide, Ta and aluminum nitride. Thus, at least the pad  134 ′ is nonmagnetic. As a result, the nonmagnetic layer between the pad  134 ′ and the shields  142  and  144  may be omitted. Instead, the pad  134 ′ may adjoin the shields  142  and  144 . Similarly, if the pad  132 ′ is nonmagnetic, then any nonmagnetic layer between the portions of the pad  132 ′ and the pole(s)  124  may also be omitted. In the embodiment shown, the pad  132 ′ includes two parts on either side of the pole  124  in the cross track direction. More specifically, portions of the pad  132 ′ may adjacent to the tip of the pole  124 . In other embodiments, the portions of the pad  132 ′ adjoin the tip of the pole. In some embodiments, the width of each portion of the pad  132 ′ is at least four microns in the cross track direction. Thus, the width of each portion of the pad  132 ′ is at least five microns. In some embodiments, the total width is not more than ten microns. In some embodiments, the pad  134 ′ has a width of at least one and not more than five microns in the down track direction and at least four and not more than sixteen microns in the cross-track direction. 
     The pads  132 ′ and  134 ′ may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 ′″ in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134 . The pads  132 ′ and  134 ′ may protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pads  132 ′ and  134 ′ may be of nonmagnetic material to reduce their impact to the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 ′″. Thus, the pole  124  may be protected from damage and/or wear and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100 ′″ improved. 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 ″″.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  100 ″″ is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″ and 100′″. However, some other components, such as the media  102  depicted in  FIG. 2  are not shown for simplicity. In contrast, similar components shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  have analogous labels to those in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B and  5 A- 5 B. The HAMR transducer  100 ′″ includes an NFT  128 , a waveguide  122  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) and write pole  124  analogous to those depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B and  5 A- 5 B. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the write pole includes a pole tip region that has an ABS facing surface and is adjacent to the NFT  128 . In addition, shields  142  and  144  corresponding to shield  140  are also shown. Note that the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. The shields  142  and  144  are also in the down track direction from the pole  124 . Thus, the write pole  124  is between the waveguide  122  and the shields  142  and  144 . 
     The HAMR transducer  120 ″″ also includes a single composite protective pad  132 ″ that correspond to the pad(s)  130 ,  132  and  134 ,  132 ′ and  134 ′ shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B and  5 A- 5 B. Referring back to  FIGS. 6A-6B , the pad  132 ″ may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . The pad  132 ″ is used when the two pads  132  and  134  are incorporated into a single pad. Thus, the pad  132 ″ is composed of a single set of material(s). The pad  132 ″ may include at least one of tantalum oxide, Ta and aluminum nitride. Thus, pad  132 ″ is nonmagnetic in the embodiment shown. As a result, the nonmagnetic layer between the pad  132 ″ and the shields  142  and  144  may be omitted. Instead, the pad  132 ″ may adjoin the shields  142  and  144 . In other embodiments, the pad  132 ″ may be magnetic. In such embodiments, a nonmagnetic layer may be interposed between the pad  132 ″ and the pole  124  and shields  142  and  144 . The dimensions of the pad  132 ″ may be analogous to those described above for the pads  130 ,  132  and  134  and  132 ′ and  134 ′. 
     The pad  132 ″ may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 ″″ in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134  and  132 ′ and  134 ′. The pad  132 ″ may protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pad  132 ″ may be formed of nonmagnetic material to reduce its impact on the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 ″″. Thus, the pole  124  may be protected from damage and/or wear and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100 ″″ improved. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  are perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  100 ′″″.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  100 ′″″ is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″ and  100 ″″. However, some other components, such as the media  102  depicted in  FIG. 2  are not shown for simplicity. In contrast, similar components shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  have analogous labels to those in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B and  5 A- 5 B. The HAMR transducer  100 ″″ includes an NFT  128 , a waveguide  122  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) and write pole  124  analogous to those depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B,  5 A- 5 B and  6 A- 6 B. As can be seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the write pole includes a pole tip region that has an ABS facing surface and is adjacent to the NFT  128 . In addition, shields  142  and  144  corresponding to shield  140  are also shown. Note that the shields  142  and  144  are recessed from the ABS. The shields  142  and  144  are also in the down track direction from the pole  124 . Thus, the write pole  124  is between the waveguide  122  and the shields  142  and  144 . 
     The HAMR transducer  120 ″″ also includes a single protective pad  134 ″ that corresponds to the pad(s)  130 ,  134 ,  134 ″ shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A- 3 B,  4 A- 4 B and  5 A- 5 B. Referring back to  FIGS. 6A-6B , the pad  134 ″ may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole  124 . The pad  134 ″ is used when the pads  132  is omitted. The pad  134 ″ may include at least one of NiFe, CoNiFe, tantalum oxide, Ta and aluminum nitride. Thus, pad  134 ″ may be magnetic or nonmagnetic in the embodiment shown. If the pad  134 ″ is magnetic, then a nonmagnetic layer  135  is between the pad  134 ″ and the shields  142  and  144 . In contrast, if the pad  134 ″ is nonmagnetic, then the nonmagnetic layer  135  may be omitted. 
     The pad  134 ″ may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  120 ′″″ in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134 ,  132 ′ and  134 ′ and  132 ″. The pad  134 ″ may protect the pole  124  from wear or other physical damage. The pad  134 ″ may be formed of nonmagnetic material to reduce its impact on the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  120 ′″″. Thus, the pole  124  may be protected from damage and/or wear and robustness of the HAMR transducer  100 ′″″ improved. 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  150 .  FIG. 8  is not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  150  is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″ and  100 ′″″. However, only some components are not shown for simplicity. The HAMR disk drive  150  includes shields  152  and  154  that are analogous to the shields  142  and  144 , respectively. Also shown is pad  160  that corresponds to protective pad(s)  130 ,  132  and  134 ,  132 ′ and  134 ′,  132 ″ and  134 ″. The pad  160  is formed of analogous material(s) and has an analogous function as the pads  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  132 ′,  134 ′,  132 ″ and  134 ″. The pad  160  may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). The pad  160  may be magnetic or nonmagnetic in the embodiment shown. If the pad  160  is magnetic, then a nonmagnetic layer  162  is between the pad  160  and the shields  152  and  154 . In contrast, if the pad  160  is nonmagnetic, then the nonmagnetic layer  162  may be omitted. 
     The pad  160  may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  150  in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132  and  134 ,  132 ′ and  134 ′,  132 ″ and  134 ″. The pad  150  may protect the pole from wear or other physical damage. The pad  160  may be formed of nonmagnetic material to reduce its impact on the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  150 . Thus, the pole may be protected from damage and/or wear and robustness of the HAMR transducer  150  improved. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of a HAMR disk drive  150 ′.  FIG. 8  is not to scale. The HAMR disk drive  150 ′ is analogous to the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″,  100 ′″″ and  150 . However, only some components are not shown for simplicity. The HAMR disk drive  150 ′ includes shields  152  and  154  that are analogous to the shields  142  and  144  as well as  152  and  154 , respectively. Also shown is pad  160 ′ that corresponds to protective pad(s)  130 ,  132 , 134 ,  132 ′,  134 ′,  132 ″,  134 ″ and  160 . The pad  160  is formed of analogous material(s) and has an analogous function as the pads  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  132 ′,  134 ′,  132 ″,  134 ″ and  160 . The pad  160 ′ may have substantially the same etch and lapping characteristics as the pole (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the shield  160 ′ is nonmagnetic. Thus, no nonmagnetic layer is provided between the pad  160 ′ and the shield  152 ′. 
     The pad  160 ′ may improve the performance and robustness of the HAMR transducer  150 ′ in an analogous manner to the pads  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  132 ′,  134 ′,  132 ″,  134 ″ and  160 . The pad  160 ′ may protect the pole from wear or other physical damage. The pad  160 ′ may be formed of nonmagnetic material to reduce its impact on the magnetics of the HAMR transducer  150 ′. Thus, the pole may be protected from damage and/or wear and robustness of the HAMR transducer  150 ′ improved. Further, various features are shown in the HAMR disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″,  100 ′″″,  150  and  150 ′. One or more of these features may be combined in various embodiments. Thus, the benefits of one or more of the benefits of the disk drives  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″,  100 ′″″,  150  and  150 ′ may be achieved. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method  200  for fabricating a HAMR transducer. The method  200  is described in the context of the HAMR transducer  120 ′, though other transducers might be so fabricated. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, performed in another order, and/or combined. The magnetic recording transducer being fabricated may be part of a merged head that also includes a read head (not shown) and resides on a slider in a disk drive. The method  200  is also described in the context of a single transducer. However, the method  200  may be used to fabricate multiple transducers at substantially the same time. The method  200  and system are also described in the context of particular layers and particular structures. However, in some embodiments, such layers may include multiple sub-layers and/or other structures. The method  200  also may commence after formation of other portions of the transducer. 
     The waveguide  122  is also provided, via step  202 . An NFT  128  is also provided, via step  204 . A write pole  124  is provided, via step  206 . The shield(s)  142  and/or  144  may be provided, via step  208 . Steps  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208  typically include multiple substeps. 
     The nonmagnetic layer  135  may optionally be provided via step  219 . Step  210  may be omitted, for example if the pads  132  and  134  are nonmagnetic. The protective pad(s)  132  and/or  134  are provided, via step  212 . Step  212  may include depositing the desired magnetic or nonmagnetic materials and patterning the materials. Fabrication may then be completed, via step  212 . Step  212  may include etching and/or lapping the transducer being fabricated. 
     Thus, using the method  200 , the HAMR transducer  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″,  100 ′″″,  150  and/or  150 ′ may be fabricated. Thus, the benefits of the transducer  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″,  100 ′″,  100 ″″,  100 ′″″,  150  and/or  150 ′ may be attained.