Selecting laser power based on writing to a set of consecutive user data wedges

A method, comprising:

• selecting a set of consecutive user data wedges within a single track of a heat-assisted recording medium the consecutive user data wedges each located between consecutive servo marks,
• writing test data to only every other one of the user data wedges using different laser power values of a read/write head for each of the user data wedges, wherein no data is written and a next laser power is set in a laser preamplifier while traversing the user data wedges between the every other one of the user data wedges;
• reading the test data from the every other one of the consecutive user data wedges via the read/write head;
• and
• selecting a nominal laser power for use by the read/write head based on reading the test data.

A method;

• comprising:
• for each of a plurality of consecutive user data wedges each located between consecutive servo marks within a single track of heat-assisted recording medium, writing test data at a respective plurality of different laser power values of a read/write head for each of the consecutive user data wedges, wherein writing the test data comprises writing the test data over a first portion of each user data wedge and not writing while traversing a second portion of each user data wedge, the method further comprising setting a next laser power for a next of the user data wedges while the second portion is being traversed;
• reading the test data from each of the user data wedges;
• and
• selecting a nominal laser power for use by the read/write head based on reading the test data.

An apparatus, comprising:

• circuitry configured to communicate with a read/write head that writes to a heat-assisted recording medium;
• and
• a processor coupled to the circuitry and configured to perform a method comprising:
• selecting a set of consecutive user data wedges within a single track of the heat-assisted recording medium;
• the consecutive user data wedges each located between consecutive servo marks;
• writing test data to a first portion of all of the consecutive user data wedges using different laser power values of a read/write head for each, wherein a next laser power is set in a laser preamplifier while a second portion of each user data wedge is not being written to;
• reading the test data from the consecutive user data wedges via the read/write head;
• and
• selecting a nominal laser power for use by the read/write head based on reading the test data.

An apparatus comprising:

• circuitry configured to communicate with a read/write head that writes to a heat-assisted recording medium;
• and
• a processor coupled to the circuitry and configured to perform a method comprising:
• selecting a set of consecutive user data wedges within a single track of the heat-assisted recording medium, the consecutive user data wedges each located between consecutive servo marks;
• writing test data to only every other one of the consecutive user data wedges using different laser power values of a read/write head for each of the user data wedges, wherein no data is written and a next laser power is set in a laser preamplifier while traversing the user data wedges between the every other one of the user data wedges;
• reading the test data from the every other one of the consecutive user data wedges via the read/write head;
• and
• selecting a nominal laser power for use by the read/write head based on reading the test data.