Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, method of manufacturing the same, and thermally-assisted magnetic recording apparatus

A thermally-assisted magnetic recording apparatus capable of recording information magnetically on a recording medium, comprising:

• a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head;
• and
• an actuating mechanism configured to move recording medium and the magnetic recording head relative to each other,
• wherein the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes
• a laser device configured to emit a light to heat the recording medium to reduce magnetic coercive force thereof;
• a light absorbing film provided between the laser device and the recording medium, the light absorbing film having an aperture through which the light is applied to the recording medium;
• and
• a magnetic pole configured to record the information magnetically on the recording medium by applying recording magnetic field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force,
• the aperture being adapted so that a polarizing direction of the light emitted from the laser device is approximately perpendicular to a direction along a longitudinal extension of recording tracks formed on the recording medium, and
• a width of the aperture taken along the polarizing direction being smaller than a width of the aperture taken approximately perpendicular to the polarizing direction.

A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head capable of recording information magnetically on a recording medium, comprising:

• a heating source configured to irradiate the recording medium with a heat beam to reduce magnetic coercive force of the recording medium;
• and
• a magnetic pole configured to apply recording magnetic field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force,
• a radiating portion emitting the heat beam of the heating source being in a receding position from a tip of the magnetic pole when seen from the recording medium, and the tip of the magnetic pole protruding between the heating source and the recording medium.

A thermally-assisted magnetic recording apparatus capable of recording information magnetically on a recording medium, comprising:

• a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, and
• an actuating mechanism configured to move recording medium and the magnetic recording head relative to each other,
• wherein the thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes
• a heating source configured to irradiate the recording medium with a heat beam to reduce magnetic coercive force of the recording medium, and
• a magnetic pole configured to apply recording magnetic
• field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force, a radiating portion emitting the heat beam of the heating source being in a receding position from a tip of the magnetic pole when seen from the recording medium, and the tip of the magnetic pole protruding between the heating source and the recording medium.

A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a heating device configured to irradiate the recording medium with a heat beam to reduce magnetic coercive force of the recording medium, anda magnetic pole configured to apply recording magnetic field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force to record information thereon magnetically, comprising the steps of

• connecting a first substrate onto a second substrate, the heating device being to be formed in the first substrate while the magnetic pole is to be formed in the second substrate,
• fabricating the heating device on the first substrate,
• applying a material transparent to light in a path in the heating device, the heat beam being emitted through the path, and
• fabricating the magnetic pole on the second substrate above the heating device, above the material transparent to light, and around them,
• the material transparent to light having a distribution uneven thickness so that a tip of the magnetic pole protrudes between the heating device and the recording medium.

A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a heating device configured to irradiate a recording medium with a heat beam to reduce magnetic coercive force of the recording medium, and

• a magnetic pole configured to apply recording magnetic field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force to record information thereon magnetically, comprising the steps of
• fabricating the heating device on a first substrate,
• connecting the first substrate onto a second substrate, the heating device having been prefabricated in the first substrate while the magnetic pole is to be formed in the second substrate,
• applying a material transparent to light in a path in the heating device, the material transparent to light being over either the first substrate or the second substrate, and the heat beam being emitted through the path, and
• fabricating the magnetic pole on the second substrate above the heating device, above the material transparent to light, and around them,
• the material transparent to light having a distribution uneven thickness so that a tip of the magnetic pole protrudes between the heating device and the recording medium.

A method of manufacturing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a heating device configured to irradiate a recording medium with a heat beam to reduce magnetic coercive force of the recording medium, and

• a magnetic pole configured to apply recording magnetic field to the recording medium having the reduced coercive force to record information thereon magnetically, comprising the steps of
• fabricating the heating device on a first substrate,
• fabricating the magnetic pole on a second substrate, with its tip being directed upward, and
• connecting the heating device and the magnetic pole with the first substrate and the second substrate being opposed to each other, so that the tip of the magnetic pole protrudes between the heating device and the recording medium.