Near field transducers having magnetic inlays for improved heat-assisted magnetic recording

Abstract

Described are heat-assisted magnetic recording heads that include near-field transducers having a magnetic inlay incorporated into the emitter disk, for example to improve write field properties such as the write field angle (decrease) and/or write field strength (increase), and which can contribute to increased areal density capability. Aspects involve applying an inlay of a magnetic material to the emitter disk of a near-field transducer. The inlay may optionally extend into the sunken disk of the near-field transducer. The inlay thickness, length, shape, and recess from the media-facing surface may be selected or adjusted to achieve desired magnetic, optical, and/or thermal characteristics.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.