Patent ID: 7957099

Claim:
A thermally assisted magnetic head including a magnetic head part having a medium-opposing surface opposing a magnetic recording medium and a back face opposing the medium-opposing surface; wherein the magnetic head part comprises: an electromagnetic transducer; a first optical waveguide extending along the opposing direction of the medium-opposing surface and back face; and first, second, third, and fourth light shields positioned between the medium-opposing surface and back face and adapted to prevent light from passing between the medium-opposing surface and back face; wherein the first optical waveguide and the first and second light shields are arranged on a first line when seen from the medium-opposing surface or back face; wherein the first line is positioned between the third and fourth light shields when seen from the medium-opposing surface or back face; and wherein the third and fourth light shields are arranged on a second line substantially orthogonal to the first line when seen from the medium-opposing surface or back face.