Write head mode optical mode converter using three-dimensional waveguide and dual-mode waveguide
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsChubing Peng, Yi-Kuei Ryan Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A write head includes a three-dimensional waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction. The three-dimensional waveguide is configured to receive light from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode. The three-dimensional waveguide includes an input coupler, a curved middle section, and a terminating end. The input coupler is tapered between the light source and the curved middle section. The write head includes a dual-mode waveguide extending along the light propagation direction and has an edge proximate to and separated from the curved section by a gap at a coupling region. The three-dimensional waveguide excites a higher-order TE mode in the dual-mode waveguide via the coupling region.
Claims20
A write head comprising:
- a three-dimensional waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode, the three-dimensional waveguide comprising, in order along the light propagation direction, an input coupler, a curved middle section, and a terminating end, the input coupler being tapered between the light source and the curved middle section;
- a dual-mode waveguide extending along the light propagation direction and having an edge proximate to and separated from the curved section by a gap at a coupling region, the three-dimensional waveguide exciting a higher-order TE mode in the dual-mode waveguide via the coupling region;
- and
- a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the write head, the near-field transducer receiving the light at the higher-order TE mode from the dual-mode waveguide.
A method comprising:
- coupling light at a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode into a three-dimensional waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction of a write head, the three-dimensional waveguide comprising an input coupler, a curved middle section, and a terminating end;
- and
- exciting a higher-order TE mode in a dual-mode waveguide via a coupling region in response to coupling the light at the fundamental TE mode into the three-dimensional waveguide, the dual-mode waveguide extending along the light propagation direction and having an edge proximate to and separated from the curved section by a gap at the coupling region;
- and
- exciting surface plasmons at a near-field transducer at a media-facing surface of the write head at the higher-order TE mode via the dual-mode waveguide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.