Efficient waveguide coupler for data recording transducer

A data storage system, comprising:

• a data recording medium;
• a radiant energy source;
• a data recording head, comprising:
• a body,
• a first waveguide supported by the body and coupled to receive a propagated radiant energy from the radiant energy source, and
• a second waveguide supported by the body and energy-coupled with the first waveguide, the second waveguide directing radiant energy to the data recording medium,
• wherein the first waveguide and the second waveguide are separated by a space,
• wherein the first waveguide has a first side having a first width and the second waveguide has a second side having a second width, the first width and the second width being measured in a direction of the space between the first waveguide and the second waveguide,
• wherein the first waveguide is configured to receive the propagated radiant energy directed from the radiant energy source towards the first side,
• wherein the second waveguide is adjacent to the first waveguide such that the space between the first waveguide and the second waveguide is not aligned with the propagated radiant energy from the radiant energy source;
• wherein the propagated radiant energy is propagated from the first waveguide to the second waveguide across the space between the first waveguide and second waveguide;
• and
• an actuator supporting and positioning the data recording head with respect to the data recording medium to effect data recording.

A method of data recording, comprising the steps of:

• providing a radiant energy source;
• providing a data recording head comprising a first waveguide coupled to the radiant energy source, and a second waveguide energy-coupled to the first waveguide and configured to direct radiant energy to a data recording medium;
• wherein the first waveguide and the second waveguide are separated by a space,
• wherein the first waveguide has a first side having a first width and the second waveguide has a second side having a second width, the first width and the second width being measured in a direction of the space between the first waveguide and the second waveguide, and
• wherein the first width is larger than the second width,
• wherein the first waveguide is configured to receive a propagated radiant energy directed from the radiant energy source towards the first side, and
• wherein the second waveguide is adjacent to the first waveguide such that the space between the first waveguide and the second waveguide is not aligned with the propagated radiant energy from the radiant energy source,
• wherein the propagated radiant energy is propagated from the first waveguide to the second waveguide across the space between the first waveguide and second waveguide;
• directing radiant energy at a spot on the data recording medium;
• and recording data at a spot where radiant energy has been directed.