Phase coherent in-line VCSEL array with slider rear mount for HAMR

Abstract

The invention relates to pre-processing a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media driver. The magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a media facing surface (MFS), a top surface disposed opposite the MFS, a trailing edge surface disposed adjacent the top surface, and a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device is mounted to the trailing edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the grating. A magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide is disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers onto the grating. The grating is capable of directing the emitted laser light to the waveguide at about 90 degrees.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non - Provisional Application No. 18 / 230,018, filed on August 3, 2023, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, entitled "Phase - Coherent In - Line VCSEL Array with Slider Trailing Mount for HAMR", and the entire content of the non - provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. The non - provisional application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 523,839, filed on June 28, 2023. Background Art Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to magnetic recording heads for magnetic media drives. [[ID=X]]

[0004] Description of Related Art

[0005] At the core of a computer's functionality and capabilities is storing data and writing data to data storage devices such as magnetic media drives (e.g., hard disk drives (HDDs)). The amount of data processed by computers is increasing rapidly. Higher recording densities of magnetic recording media are needed to enhance the functionality and capabilities of computers.

[0006] To achieve higher recording densities of magnetic recording media (such as recording densities exceeding 2 Tbit / in 2 ), the width and pitch of the write tracks are made narrower, and thus the corresponding magnetic recording bits encoded in each write track are made narrower. One challenge in reducing the width and pitch of the write tracks is to reduce the surface area of the main pole of the magnetic recording write head at the medium - facing surface (MFS). As the main pole becomes smaller and smaller, the recording field also becomes smaller and smaller, thus limiting the effectiveness of the magnetic recording write head.

[0007] Thermal - assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and microwave - assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) are two types of energy - assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) techniques for increasing the recording density of magnetic recording media. In HAMR, a laser source is located next to or near the write element of the magnetic recording write head to generate heat. For example, the laser source excites a near - field transducer (NFT) to generate heat at the write location of the magnetic recording media. The laser source is typically disposed on the top of the slider, which increases the additional height of the magnetic recording assembly. The increased height thus increases the disk - to - disk spacing within the magnetic recording assembly, thereby limiting the number of disks and having a negative impact on the capacity of the drive.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved HAMR magnetic media drive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present disclosure relates to preprocessing a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a media-facing surface (MFS), a top surface disposed opposite the MFS, a trailing edge surface disposed adjacent to the top surface, and a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device is mounted to the trailing edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the grating. A magnetic recording head is disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers onto the grating. The grating is capable of directing the emitted lasers to the waveguide at approximately 90 degrees.

[0010] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider including a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, and a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device disposed above the grating; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider.

[0011] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider including a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider including a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device including: a first contact pad disposed on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider; and a VCSEL array disposed adjacent to the first contact pad, the VCSEL array including a plurality of laser holes, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser holes; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Accordingly, a more particular description of the above-described features of the present disclosure, as well as a more specific description of the present disclosure, may be obtained by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive including a HAMR magnetic write head.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a disk-facing HAMR write head.

[0016] Figures 3A to 3B illustrates a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figures 3C to 3D illustrates a VCSEL device of a magnetic recording head assembly according to one embodiment.

[0018] For ease of understanding, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used to denote the same elements common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be advantageously utilized in other embodiments without specific recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements (whether or not associated with different embodiments) is contemplated to implement and practice the present disclosure. Further, although embodiments of the present disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and / or over the prior art, whether a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not a limitation of the present disclosure. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrative and are not to be considered elements or limitations of the appended claims unless explicitly recited in the claims. Similarly, references to "the present disclosure" should not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and should not be considered an element or limitation of the appended claims unless explicitly recited in the claims.

[0020] The present disclosure relates to preprocessing a magnetic recording head assembly for a magnetic media drive. The magnetic recording head assembly includes a slider having a media-facing surface (MFS), a top surface disposed opposite the MFS, a trailing edge surface disposed adjacent to the top surface, and a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device is mounted to the trailing edge surface of the slider. The VCSEL device is aligned with the grating. A magnetic recording head is disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent laser beams onto the grating. The grating is capable of directing the emitted laser beams at approximately 90 degrees to the waveguide.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magnetic media drive 100 that includes an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) write head, such as a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) or a microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head. Such a magnetic media drive may be a single drive / device or include multiple drives / devices. For purposes of illustration, a single disk drive 100 is shown in accordance with one embodiment. The disk drive 100 includes at least one rotatable magnetic recording medium 112 (commonly referred to as a disk 112) that is supported on a spindle 114 and rotated by a drive motor 118. The magnetic recording on each disk 112 is in the form of any suitable pattern of data tracks, such as a concentric data track (not shown) annular pattern on the disk 112.

[0022] At least one slider 113 is positioned near the disk 112. Each slider 113 supports a head assembly 121 that includes one or more read heads and one or more write heads (such as a HAMR write head). As the disk 112 rotates, the slider 113 moves radially in and out above the disk surface 122 so that the head assembly 121 can access different tracks of the disk 112 for writing desired data. Each slider 113 is attached to an actuator arm 119 by a suspension 115. The suspension 115 provides a slight spring force that biases the slider 113 toward the disk surface 122. Each actuator arm 119 is attached to an actuator 127. As Figure 1 shown, the actuator 127 can be a voice coil motor (VCM). The VCM includes a coil that is capable of moving within a fixed magnetic field, and the direction and speed of the coil movement are controlled by a motor current signal supplied by a control unit 129.

[0023] During operation of the disk drive 100, rotation of the disk 112 creates an air bearing between the slider 113 and the disk surface 122, and the air bearing exerts an upward force or lift on the slider 113. Thus, during normal operation, the air bearing counteracts the slight spring force of the suspension 115 and supports the slider 113 off of and slightly above the disk surface 122 at a small, substantially constant spacing.

[0024] Various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled in operation by control signals (such as access control signals and internal clock signals) generated by a control unit 129. Generally, the control unit 129 includes logic control circuitry, storage means, and a microprocessor. The control unit 129 generates control signals that control various system operations, such as a drive motor control signal on line 123 and a head position and seek control signal on line 128. The control signal on line 128 provides a desired current distribution to optimally move and position the slider 113 to a desired data track on the disk 112. Write signals and read signals are transmitted to and from the head assembly 121 via a recording channel 125. Figure 1 Certain embodiments of the magnetic medium drive may also include multiple media or disks, multiple actuators, and / or multiple sliders.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of certain embodiments of a cross-sectional side view of a HAMR write head 230 facing the disk 112. The HAMR write head 230 may correspond to Figure 1 a part of the read / write head assembly 121 described in Figure 2As shown, the disk 112 and the HAMR write head 230 move relative to each other in the direction indicated by arrow 282 (the direction needs to be changed).

[0026] The HAMR write head 230 includes a main pole 236 disposed between a front return shield 234 and a rear return shield 238. The main pole 236 may include a main pole tip 237 at the MFS. The main pole tip 237 may or may not include a front bevel and / or a rear bevel. A coil 260 surrounding the main pole 236 excites the main pole tip 237 to generate a write magnetic field for affecting the magnetic medium of the rotatable disk 112. The coil 260 may be a spiral structure or one or more sets of flat structures. The front return shield 234 and / or the rear return shield 238 may act as a return pole for the main pole 236.

[0027] The disk 112 is positioned adjacent to or below the HAMR write head 230. The magnetic field generated by the current in the coil 260 is used to control the magnetization direction of the bits in the disk 112.

[0028] The HAMR write head 230 includes a structure for heating the disk 112 near the location where the write magnetic field is applied to the storage medium at the main pole tip 237. A waveguide 242 is positioned between the main pole 236 and the front return shield 234. The waveguide 242 may include a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer. The waveguide 242 conducts light from a light source 278 of electromagnetic radiation, which may be (for example) ultraviolet light, infrared light, or visible light. The light source 278 may be, for example, an edge-emitting laser diode (EELD) or a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device, a laser diode, or other suitable laser light source for directing a light beam to the waveguide 242.

[0029] Various known techniques can be used to couple the light source 278 to the waveguide 242. For example, the light source 278 may work in conjunction with an optical fiber and external optics for guiding the light beam to the waveguide 242. Alternatively, the light source 278 may be mounted on the waveguide 242, and the light beam may be directly coupled into the waveguide 242 without an external optical configuration. When the medium moves relative to the HAMR write head 230 as shown by arrow 282, once the light beam is coupled into the waveguide 242, the light propagates through the waveguide and heats a portion of the medium.

[0030] The HAMR write head 230 may include a near-field transducer (NFT) 284 to concentrate heat near the end of the waveguide 242. The NFT 284 is positioned within or adjacent to the waveguide 242, which is near or at the MFS. Light from the waveguide 242 is absorbed by the NFT 284 and excites surface plasmons that travel along the outer side of the NFT 284 towards the MFS, thereby concentrating charge at the tip of the NFT 284, which in turn capacitively couples to the disk and heats an exact area of the disk 112 through Joule heating. A possible NFT 284 for the HAMR write head is a lollipop design having a disk portion and a stem extending between the disk and the MFS. The NFT 284 absorbs heat from the waveguide light, which may have a negative impact on the reliability of the HAMR write head 230. Surrounding metal is used as a heat sink to minimize the temperature.

[0031] The optical power from an external coherent light source (i.e., EELD, surface-emitting diode laser, VCSEL device, or fiber-coupled diode laser) is coupled into the PLC of the HAMR head slider through an SSC or a mode converter. The basic design concept is to match both the mode distribution of the incoming light source and the mode distribution of the PLC at the coupling interface, thereby maximizing the overall coupling efficiency.

[0032] Figure 2 The general configuration of the HAMR recording head is shown, while Figures 3A to 3B FIG. illustrates a magnetic recording head assembly 300 according to one embodiment, where a VCSEL array is mounted on the trailing edge of the slider. Figure 3A FIG. illustrates a view of the trailing edge surface 302b of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, and Figure 3B FIG. illustrates a top view of the magnetic recording head assembly 300. Figures 3C to 3D FIG. illustrates a VCSEL device 304 of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 according to one embodiment. Figure 3C FIG. illustrates the front surface or output surface 304a (or the surface facing the slider) of the VCSEL device 304, and Figure 3D FIG. illustrates the back surface 304b (or the surface facing the suspension tab) of the VCSEL device 304. The magnetic recording head assembly 300 can be used in combination with Figure 2 the HAMR write head 230, and can correspond to Figure 1 a part of the read / write head assembly 121 described in or a recording head used in other magnetic media drives.

[0033] As the slider 302 and the magnetic recording head 314 move over a rotating medium, such as a disk, one side of the slider 302 guides over or passes over the medium, while the opposite side trails or finally passes over the medium. As used herein, the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 refers to the side of the slider 302 that finally passes over the medium. The magnetic recording head 314 may include Figure 2 components of the HAMR head 230. However, different from Figure 2 the light source 278 mounted on the top surface of the slider in Figures 3A to 3D is shown a VCSEL device 304 mounted on this trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302. Further referring to Figure 3A , the slider 302 includes a top surface 302a disposed opposite to the MFS, a leading edge surface disposed adjacent to the top surface 302a, a trailing edge surface 302b disposed opposite to the leading edge surface, and a medium-facing surface disposed opposite to the top surface 302a.

[0034] The magnetic recording head assembly 300 includes a slider 302 having a plurality of contact pads 308, such as from 2 to 32 contact pads, which are disposed on the trailing edge surface 302b (which is adjacent to the top surface 302a) of the slider 302 to contact or connect to a suspension (not shown; the suspension may be Figure 1 the suspension 115 of

[0035] A grating 310 is disposed between the heat sink stud 306 and the contact pads 308. The grating 310 may be part of a planar optical waveguide circuit (PLC). In some embodiments, the grating 310 is disposed on the core material of the waveguide 242, such as Ta2O5 or Nb2O5. As Figure 3B shown, the recording head 314 is disposed on the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302. The dashed box illustrates the position where the VCSEL device 304 will be attached to the slider 302 on the trailing edge surface 302b, as Figure 3BAs shown. The VCSEL device 304 is disposed on and aligned with the heat sink stud 306 and the grating 310, as further discussed below. The grating 310 is coupled to the waveguide 242 of the recording head 314, and the waveguide 242 is coupled to the NFT 284 of the recording head 314. The NFT 284 is disposed at the MFS, as described above in Figure 2 as described.

[0036] The grating 310 directs the light output from the coherent VCSEL array 312 into the waveguide 242. The grating 310 includes a high refractive index dielectric material having a repeating diffraction pattern that redirects the light from the VCSEL array 312 and turns or directs the light by approximately 90 degrees (i.e., in the -y direction) into the waveguide 242. The grating 310 can be curved and / or blazed (e.g., wedge-shaped) to couple the laser output of the VCSEL array 312 into the tapered waveguide 242. The period of the grating 310 matches half of the effective wavelength of the light, as is known in the art. The waveguide 242 then directs the light from the grating 310 to the NFT 284 at the MFS.

[0037] As Figure 3B shown, the VCSEL device 304 is mounted to the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 via a first electrode of the contact pad 316. The first electrode or contact pad 316 is disposed adjacent to the coherent VCSEL array 312 on the front surface or the recording head-facing surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304 (as Figure 3C shown). The first contact pad 316 is mounted to the heat sink stud 306 to draw heat away from the VCSEL array 312 and into the ceramic slider 302. The first contact pad 316 can have the same width 320 as the contact pad 308. The heat sink stud 306 is disposed on the magnetic recording head 314 (shown here as rectangular to represent the various layers of the recording head 314). The VCSEL array 312 is aligned with the grating 310 to output light to the grating 310. The waveguide 242 and the NFT 284 are not shown in Figure 3B as they are located below the grating 310 in the -y direction (e.g., the direction perpendicular to and into the page).

[0038] The VCSEL device 304 further includes a second electrode disposed on the rear surface 304b of the VCSEL device 304 (as Figure 3DSecond contact pads or electrodes 318a and third contact pads or electrodes 318b on the (as shown). The rear surface 304b is opposite to the front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304. The second contact pad 318a and the third contact pad 318b are each connected to a suspension (similar to the plurality of contact pads 308), and are connected to the laser diodes of the VCSEL array 312 to allow current to flow through the laser diodes. The second contact pad 318a is further connected to the laser substrate, and the third contact pad 318b is isolated from the laser substrate (or vice versa). Instead, the third contact pad 318b extends through the VCSEL device 304 to connect to the laser diodes of the VCSEL array 312 to power the lasers of the VCSEL array 312. The current return path is to the laser substrate and the contact pad 318a. The second contact pad 318a and the third contact pad 318b can have the same size and spacing as the plurality of contact pads 308.

[0039] As Figure 3C shown, the VCSEL array 312 includes a plurality of holes 322, and a plurality of lasers output through the plurality of holes to the grating 310. The plurality of holes 322 of the VCSEL array 312 are linear. The number of holes 322 corresponds to the number of lasers of the VCSEL array 312. Although four holes 322 are shown, the VCSEL array 312 can include any number of holes 322, such as 2 holes and lasers to 32 holes and lasers. Each hole 322 has a size of about 1 μm to about 10 μm. Each hole 322 is spaced apart from an adjacent hole 322 by a distance of about 2 μm to about 20 μm in the x direction. The output laser power of each hole 322 is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW. The light output from the VCSEL holes 322 is coherent and in phase (e.g., the output light is like a single light beam).

[0040] The lasers output from the VCSEL array 312 are all in phase, rather than, for example, 180 degrees out of phase (i.e., 0 degrees out of phase), and there is no mode hopping. In addition, each of the plurality of lasers emitted by the VCSEL array 312 operates at the same frequency and is phase coherent. Each of the plurality of lasers has a single-mode output and a defined polarization direction. Each of the plurality of lasers has an active region (e.g., the region where the laser excites electrons). These active regions are spaced close enough to enable coupling and phase coherence.

[0041] By mounting the VCSEL device 304 onto the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302, the overall height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300 is reduced, thereby allowing for a reduced disk-to-disk spacing, potentially increasing the number of disks, and increasing the HDD capacity. Additionally, when a VCSEL chip is mounted onto the top surface of the slider, side electrodes are typically utilized to connect to the suspension. However, the side electrodes or contacts increase the complexity and cost of the VCSEL chip. By mounting the VCSEL device 304 onto the trailing edge surface 302b, electrodes or contact pads 316, 318a, 318b are only required on the rear surface 304b and the front surface 304a of the VCSEL device 304. Therefore, mounting the VCSEL device 304 onto the trailing edge surface 302b of the slider 302 reduces the complexity and cost during manufacturing, while also reducing the height of the magnetic recording head assembly 300, thereby reducing the disk-to-disk spacing and increasing the capacity of the magnetic recording drive.

[0042] Using a VCSEL as the light source in HAMR has several significant advantages. The edge-emitting laser diode (EELD) used is typically mounted onto a submount because it is difficult to directly bond the edge-emitting facet of the laser to the top of the slider. The submount is then bonded to the slider. The VCSEL can easily have bonding electrodes on its surface-emitting surface that match corresponding electrodes on the trailing edge surface of the slider and, when used with a grating, can output light from the trailing edge surface onto the grating, which then directs the light at a 90-degree angle to the waveguide. These electrodes can be bonded together by laser-assisted solder reflow and also serve as electrical connections for powering the laser.

[0043] By eliminating the need for a submount, the cost of the light source can be significantly reduced. The VCSEL laser facets are fabricated in a wafer-level process, which further reduces the cost compared to the EELD. The VCSEL output beam is also larger and more circular than the output beam of the EELD, which increases the alignment tolerance and coupling efficiency with the slider mode converter. The VCSEL is known to have higher reliability than the EELD due to its larger, less intense optical mode and wafer facet process. Therefore, the VCSEL does not require aging during manufacturing, which further reduces the cost. Since the VCSEL cavity length is shorter than that of the EELD and since the laser is mounted on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the lower overall height allows for a reduced disk-to-disk spacing, potentially allowing for more disks, and a higher HDD capacity.

[0044] In addition, due to the very short cavity length and a longitudinal mode and DBR mirror selectivity, the VCSEL operates without mode hopping, while the EELD is affected by mode hopping. Mode hopping causes a small (usually 1% to 2%) sudden change in laser power during the recording process. The possibility of track width variation and bit shift must be considered, which reduces the capacity of the HDD.

[0045] The main technical problem of the VCSEL is the relatively low output power compared to the EELD. Multimode VCSELs can have a greater output power than single-mode VCSELs, but the waveguides and NFTs used to create hot spots for HAMR in the disk require single-mode operation. Single-mode VCSELs typically have a maximum output power of only about 2 mW, far lower than the 10 mW to 20 mW required for HAMR. Due to the decoherence between the wavefronts, the output cannot be effectively increased by combining the outputs from multiple individual VCSELs. If the active regions of adjacent VCSELs are very close, the wave functions will overlap enough to produce coupling and phase coherence between their outputs. With a suitable VCSEL design and optical delivery scheme, these outputs can be combined into a single waveguide with a single-mode power of 5 mW to 10 mW required for the NFT for HAMR.

[0046] In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider including a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, and a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device being disposed above the grating; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider.

[0047] The VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers. The VCSEL device is capable of emitting the plurality of lasers onto the grating through a plurality of laser holes. The output laser power of each laser hole is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW, and the plurality of laser holes are 2 to 32 holes. The magnetic recording head includes a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, the waveguide extending from the top surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT, the NFT being disposed at the media-facing surface. The grating is capable of guiding the light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at about 90 degrees. A magnetic media drive includes the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0048] In another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider that includes a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0049] The grating is capable of directing light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at approximately 90 degrees, and wherein the waveguide is capable of directing the output light to the NFT. The VCSEL device includes a front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider and a rear surface opposite the front surface, wherein a first contact pad and a VCSEL array are disposed on the front surface, and wherein a second contact pad and a third contact pad are disposed on the rear surface. The first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the grating, and wherein the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array. The slider further includes a plurality of contact pads on the trailing edge surface, and wherein the width of the contact pads is the same as the width of the second contact pad and the third contact pad on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. The slider further includes a plurality of contact pads, and wherein the spacing between at least two of the slider contact pads among the slider contact pads is substantially equal to the spacing between the second contact pad and the third contact pad on the rear surface of the VCSEL device. The plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, wherein the plurality of lasers are output through a plurality of laser holes, and wherein the plurality of laser holes are linearly arranged. Each laser hole has a size of about 1 μm to about 10 μm, wherein the output laser power of each laser hole is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW, and wherein each laser hole is spaced from an adjacent laser hole by a distance of about 2 μm to about 20 μm. A magnetic media drive includes the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, a magnetic recording head assembly includes: a slider including a media-facing surface, a top surface opposite the media-facing surface, a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface, a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface, a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface, and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device including: a first contact pad disposed on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider; and a VCSEL array disposed adjacent to the first contact pad, the VCSEL array including a plurality of laser holes, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser holes; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

[0051] The first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the grating. The grating is capable of guiding light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at approximately 90 degrees, and wherein the waveguide is capable of guiding the output light to the NFT. The plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, and wherein the output laser power of each laser hole is from about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW. The plurality of laser holes are linearly arranged, and wherein the plurality of laser holes are from 2 holes to 32 holes. A magnetic media drive includes the magnetic recording head assembly.

[0052] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and additional embodiments of the present disclosure may be envisioned without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic recording head assembly, the magnetic recording head assembly comprising: A slider, the slider comprising: A media-facing surface; A top surface opposite to the media-facing surface; A trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface; A leading edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface; and A grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device being disposed above the grating; and A magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider.

2. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers.

3. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 2, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting the plurality of lasers onto the grating through a plurality of laser holes.

4. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 3, wherein the output laser power of each laser hole is from about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW, and wherein the plurality of laser holes are from 2 holes to 32 holes.

5. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic recording head comprises a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide, the waveguide extending from the top surface of the magnetic recording head to the NFT, the NFT being disposed at the media-facing surface.

6. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 5, wherein the grating is capable of guiding light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at an angle of about 90 degrees.

7. A magnetic media drive, the magnetic media drive comprising the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 1.

8. A magnetic recording head assembly, the magnetic recording head assembly comprising: A slider, the slider comprising: A media-facing surface; A top surface opposite to the media-facing surface; A trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface; A leading edge surface opposite to the trailing edge surface; A grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; and A heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers; and A magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head comprising a waveguide and a near-field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

9. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the grating is capable of guiding light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at an angle of about 90 degrees, and wherein the waveguide is capable of guiding the output light to the NFT.

10. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the VCSEL device comprises a front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, wherein a first contact pad and a VCSEL array are disposed on the front surface, and wherein a second contact pad and a third contact pad are disposed on the rear surface.

11. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the grating, and wherein the second contact pad is connected to the VCSEL array.

12. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slider further includes a plurality of contact pads on the trailing edge surface, and wherein the width of the contact pads is the same as the width of the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device.

13. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slider further includes a plurality of contact pads, and wherein the spacing between at least two of the slider contact pads is substantially equal to the spacing between the second and third contact pads on the rear surface of the VCSEL device.

14. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, wherein the plurality of lasers are output through a plurality of laser holes, and wherein the plurality of laser holes are linearly arranged.

15. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 14, wherein each laser hole has a size of about 1 μm to about 10 μm, wherein the output laser power of each laser hole is about 0.5 mW to about 10 mW, and wherein each laser hole is spaced from an adjacent laser hole by a distance of about 2 μm to about 20 μm.

16. A magnetic medium drive, the magnetic medium drive including the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 8.

17. A magnetic recording head assembly, the magnetic recording head assembly comprising: a slider, the slider including: a medium-facing surface; a top surface opposite the medium-facing surface; a trailing edge surface adjacent to the top surface; a leading edge surface opposite the trailing edge surface; a grating disposed on the trailing edge surface; and a heat sink stud disposed adjacent to the grating; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device coupled to the trailing edge surface of the slider, the VCSEL device including: a first contact pad disposed on a front surface of the VCSEL device, the front surface facing the trailing edge surface of the slider; and a VCSEL array disposed adjacent to the first contact pad, the VCSEL array including a plurality of laser holes, wherein the VCSEL device is capable of emitting a plurality of phase-coherent lasers through the plurality of laser holes; and a magnetic recording head disposed on the trailing edge surface of the slider, the magnetic recording head including a waveguide and a near field transducer (NFT) coupled to the waveguide.

18. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first contact pad is connected to the heat sink stud, and wherein the VCSEL array is aligned with the grating.

19. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the grating is capable of guiding light output from the VCSEL device to the waveguide at about 90 degrees, and wherein the waveguide is capable of guiding the output light to the NFT.

20. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of lasers operate at the same frequency, and wherein the output laser power of each laser aperture is from 0.5 mW to 10 mW.

21. The magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of laser apertures are linearly arranged, and wherein the plurality of laser apertures are from 2 to 32 apertures.

22. A magnetic medium drive, the magnetic medium drive comprising the magnetic recording head assembly according to claim 17.

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