Energy assisted magnetic recording head having a near field transducer with reduced thermal protrusion

An energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head comprising:

• a slider having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an air bearing surface (ABS);
• and
• a near field transducer disposed in the slider and having a distal end proximate the ABS;
• wherein:
• the distal end of the near field transducer is recessed from the ABS when no optical power is applied to the near field transducer, and is co-planar with the ABS when a predetermined amount of optical power is applied to the near field transducer,
• a portion of the slider surrounding the distal end forms a concave surface having a continuously varying slope when no optical power is applied to the near field transducer, and a flat surface coplanar with the ABS and the distal end of the near field transducer when the predetermined amount of optical power is applied to the near field transducer, and
• wherein applying the optical power comprises coupling light into a waveguide formed in the EAMR head and directing the coupled light to the near field transducer via the waveguide.