Near-field transducer with recessed region

An apparatus, comprising:

• a slider comprising an air bearing surface and configured to facilitate heat-assisted magnetic recording on a medium, the slider comprising;
• a writer;
• a reader;
• an optical waveguide;
• and
• a near-field transducer proximate the waveguide and the writer, the near-field transducer comprising:
• an enlarged region having a first end oriented in a medium-facing direction and an opposing second end, the enlarged region comprising plasmonic material;
• a disk region adjacent the enlarged region and having a first end oriented in the medium-facing direction and an opposing second end, the first end of the disk region comprising a first end portion having a terminus facing the air bearing surface and a projection extending under and beyond the first end portion, the disk region comprising plasmonic material;
• a peg region extending from the projection of the first end of the disk region and oriented in the medium-facing direction;
• and
• a region recessed with respect to the air bearing surface and the peg region, the recessed region comprising an end surface located between the peg region and the first end of the enlarged region, further wherein the recessed region is recessed between about 50 to 200 nm relative to the air bearing surface, wherein the first end of the enlarged region is substantially coextensive with respect to the end surface of the recessed region.