Method of making an ultra-sharp tip mode converter for a HAMR head
US9202493B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A mode converter for use in a Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) read head to couple or bend light (e.g., from an external laser diode) into a tapered waveguide, and subsequently, to a near field transducer is provided. The mode converter may have an ultra-sharp tip, e.g., less than 200 nm to achieve a desired optical output. Manufacturing such a mode converter involves a two-pattern transform process, where overlay control (using a first edge, such as a right edge, as a reference layer relative to which positioning of a second edge, such as a left edge, is measured) allows for aligning of the right and left edges of a tip portion of the mode converter to ultimately create the ultra-sharp tip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.