Thermally assisted magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and method for adjusting same

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and an adjusting method thereof. In the method of adjusting a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment, a heat-assisted magnetic recording head of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is maintained in orbit, a recording current for data recording is maintained to be less than a threshold value for the heat-assisted magnetic recording head, and a light source driving current for emitting light is applied to a light source.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-078571 (filed on May 14, 2024). This application incorporates the entire contents of that basic application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device and its adjustment method. Background Technology

[0003] Regarding heat-assisted magnetic recording heads, recording is performed by raising the temperature of the disk using a laser. It is known that, due to the temperature increase, components of the magnetic film, believed to originate from the disk, adhere to the front end of the near-field optical element (NFT) via a lubricant, forming a cured material.

[0004] In terms of the recording principle, it is impossible to prevent the formation of solidified lubricant. On the other hand, it is known that when solidified lubricant adheres firmly, the laser transmittance increases, thus acting as a layer to improve the laser transmission efficiency.

[0005] Regarding lubricant hardening, if the float is reduced, it will be worn away due to abrasion; if the float is increased, it will be rebuilt by filling the lubricant between the head and the medium. Therefore, when the float changes within the disk surface, for example, when the head moves from a track with low float to a track with high float, a problem of degraded write performance occurs until lubricant hardening is formed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment, an adjustment method for a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device is provided. The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device is equipped with a heat-assisted magnetic recording head and a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head has a main magnetic pole, a near-field optical element for generating near-field light, a waveguide for propagating light to the near-field optical element, and a light source for supplying light to the waveguide. The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium has a lubricant layer on the recording surface opposite to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The adjustment method for the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device includes: maintaining the heat-assisted magnetic recording head on track; maintaining the recording current for data recording at a level less than a threshold for the heat-assisted magnetic recording head; applying a light source driving current for emitting light to the light source; and generating a lubricant curing material at the front end of the near-field optical element.

[0007] According to this embodiment, a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus and its adjustment method can be provided such that the lubricant curing material is pre-positioned near the near-field optical element of the head, minimizing the impact on areas other than the area where the lubricant curing material is formed. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a partial exploded perspective view of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the magnetic head and suspension.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a part of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a model diagram illustrating the cured lubricant.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to illustrate an example of an area outside the data recording area.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0018] 1…Heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, 1a…Recording surface, 10…Magnetic head, 10W…Heat-assisted magnetic recording head, 14-1…MPU, 19…Head position control unit, 25…Lubricant layer, 30…Near-field optical element, 31…Waveguide, 32…Light source, 40…Main magnetic pole, 70…Coil, 71…Light source drive current control unit, 72…Recording current control unit, 73…Lubricant curing product generation processing unit, 200…Heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device Detailed Implementation

[0019] In the adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment, the heat-assisted magnetic recording head of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus is kept on track, the recording current for data recording is maintained below a threshold for the heat-assisted magnetic recording head, and a light source driving current for emitting light is applied to the light source. The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus includes a heat-assisted magnetic recording head and a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole, a near-field optical element for generating near-field light, a waveguide for propagating light to the near-field optical element, and a light source for supplying light to the waveguide. The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium is arranged opposite to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head, and a lubricant layer is provided on the recording surface opposite to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head.

[0020] The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment is an apparatus that can be used in the adjustment method of the first embodiment described above. It is equipped with a heat-assisted magnetic recording head, a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, a head position control unit, a recording current control unit, a light source drive current control unit, and a lubricant curing material generation processing unit. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head has a main magnetic pole, a near-field optical element that generates near-field light, a waveguide that propagates light to the near-field optical element, and a light source that supplies light to the waveguide. The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium has a lubricant layer on the recording surface facing the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The head position control unit keeps the heat-assisted magnetic recording head on track. The recording current control unit controls the data recording current applied to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The light source drive current control unit controls the light source drive current applied to the light source. The lubricant curing material generation processing unit performs the following process: while controlling the data recording current to be less than a threshold, it applies the light source drive current to the light source and generates lubricant curing material at the front end of the near-field optical element.

[0021] According to the first and second embodiments, when forming the lubricant cured material, a heat-assisted magnetic recording head is used. When a light source driving current is applied to the light source, the recording current for data recording is maintained at a level less than a threshold. This allows for localized heating of the recording layer and lubricating layer near the near-field optical element to form the lubricant cured material. Furthermore, it enables data recording or pattern formation in a manner that minimizes the impact on areas outside the lubricant cured material formation area and does not degrade recording reproduction performance. In addition, by pre-setting the lubricant cured material, the time required to fill the gap between the NFT front end and the magnetic recording medium with lubricant based on the head levitation amount, i.e., the time of recording performance degradation, can be minimized in the "on-track state".

[0022] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Furthermore, the disclosure is always just one example, and any appropriate modifications that can be readily conceived by those skilled in the art to maintain the spirit of the invention are naturally included within the scope of this invention. Additionally, to make the description clearer, the drawings sometimes schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc., of various parts compared to the actual form, but this is always just an example and is not intended to limit the interpretation of the invention. Furthermore, in this specification and the drawings, for the same elements as those previously described with respect to existing figures, the same reference numerals are sometimes used, and detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0024] Example

[0025] The following examples illustrate the specific implementation methods.

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 An example of the configuration of the disk drive according to the second embodiment will be described. Furthermore, Figure 1 The configuration of the disk drive shown as a magnetic recording and reproduction device is also applicable to the embodiments described later.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, disk drive 200 is a disk device that uses perpendicular magnetic recording mode and is equipped with a disk 1 as a perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a magnetic head 10 with a magnetic flux control layer, described later.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partial exploded perspective view of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This indicates that in the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the second embodiment, multiple disks 1 and multiple magnetic heads 10 are housed within the housing 51, with the cover omitted.

[0030] The disk 1 is fixed to the spindle motor (SPM) 2 and is mounted to rotate. The read / write head 10 is mounted on an actuator 3 and configured to move radially on the disk 1. The actuator 3 is driven to rotate by a voice coil motor (VCM) 4. A columnar inner stop 11b, for example, can be provided on the bottom wall 52a surrounding the voice coil motor (VCM) 4 using a synthetic absorbent material. Using the inner stop 11b can suppress the impact of the actuator 3 colliding with the columns of the VCM during movement as the head moves towards the inner periphery of the disk 1. Figure 1For example, the diagram shows the case where the magnetic head 10 seeks to any position on the recording surface 1a, and the case where the magnetic head 10' mounted on the actuator 3' is pressed and fixed by the inner stop 11b. The magnetic head 10 includes a write head 10W, a read head 10R, and a thermal assist unit 100. The write head 10W writes data to the disk 1. The read head 10R reads data from the disk 1. The thermal assist unit 100 assists in writing data when the write head 10W writes data to the disk 1. The magnetic head 10 may include one or more heads.

[0031] Furthermore, the disk drive includes a head amplifier integrated circuit (hereinafter referred to as head amplifier IC) 11, a read / write channel (R / W channel) 12, a hard disk controller (HDC) 13, a microprocessor (MPU) 14-1, a driver IC 16, and a memory 17. The R / W channel 12, HDC 13, and MPU 14 are assembled in a controller 15 composed of a single-chip integrated circuit.

[0032] As described below, the head amplifier IC11 includes a circuit group for driving a laser diode used for thermal assistance. Furthermore, the head amplifier IC11 includes a driver that supplies a recording signal (write current) corresponding to the write data supplied from the R / W channel 12 to the recording head 10W. Additionally, the head amplifier IC11 includes a read amplifier that amplifies the read signal output from the playback head 10R and transmits it to the R / W channel 12.

[0033] R / W channel 12 is the signal processing circuit for reading / writing data. HDC13 forms the interface between the disk drive and the host 18, and performs the transfer control for reading / writing data.

[0034] MPU14-1 is the main control unit of the disk drive, performing control of read / write operations and servo control required for positioning the magnetic head 10. Furthermore, MPU14-1 includes: a head position control unit 19 for maintaining the heat-assisted magnetic recording head 10 on track; a light source drive current control unit 71 for controlling the light source drive current applied to the light source; a recording current control unit 72 for controlling the data recording current applied to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head; and a lubricant curing material generation processing unit 73, which performs the following process: while controlling the data recording current to be less than a threshold, it applies the light source drive current to the light source to generate lubricant curing material at the front end of the near-field optical element. The memory 17 includes a buffer memory composed of DRAM and flash memory, etc.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the magnetic head 10 and the suspension.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown, each magnetic head 10 is configured as a floating head, having a roughly cuboid-shaped slider 42 and a recording / reproduction head 44 disposed at the outlet (tail end) of the slider 42. The magnetic head 10 is fixed to a gimbal spring 41 disposed at the front end of the suspension 34. Utilizing the elasticity of the suspension 34, each magnetic head 10 is subjected to a head load L toward the surface of the disk 1. Figure 2 As shown, each magnetic head 10 is connected to the head amplifier IC11 and HDC13 via a wiring component (flexible member) 35 fixed to the suspension 34 and the arm.

[0037] Next, the composition of disk 1 and read / write head 10 will be described in detail.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the write head 10W and disk 1, which are part of the disk device.

[0039] The disk 1 has a substrate 20 and a heat dissipation layer 21, a crystal alignment layer 22, a vertical recording layer 23, and a protective layer 24 coated with a lubricant, sequentially stacked on the substrate 20. The vertical recording layer 23 has a large anisotropy in the direction perpendicular to the disk surface. The crystal alignment layer 22 is disposed below the vertical recording layer 23 to improve the alignment of the vertical recording layer 23. The heat dissipation layer 21 is disposed below the crystal alignment layer 22 to suppress the expansion of the heating area. The protective layer 24 is disposed on top of the vertical recording layer 23 to protect the vertical recording layer 23.

[0040] The magnetic head 10 is a separate type magnetic head that separates the recording head 10W from the playback head 10R. The recording head 10W consists of the main magnetic pole 40 and the trailing magnetic yoke. The disk 1 is composed of a main magnetic pole 40, a return shielding magnetic pole 60, a coil 70, a heater 80, a near-field optical element 30, and a waveguide 31. The main magnetic pole 40 generates a magnetic field perpendicular to the disk surface and is made of a high-permeability material. The tail yoke 50 allows magnetic flux to flow through the main magnetic pole 40 and is magnetically coupled to it. The return shielding magnetic pole 60 is positioned on the leading side of the main magnetic pole 40 and is configured to efficiently close the magnetic circuit directly below the main magnetic pole. The coil 70 is configured to wind around the magnetic circuit including the tail yoke and the return shielding magnetic pole in order to allow magnetic flux to flow through the main magnetic pole 40. The heater 80 is used to control the levitation height of the recording head. The near-field optical element 30 generates near-field light on the leading side of the main magnetic pole 40 to heat the vertical recording layer 23 of the disk 1. The waveguide 31 is used to propagate the light used for generating the near-field light. The light source 32 is assembled in the form of a slider with a laser diode mounted on it.

[0041] Able to be based on from Figure 1The recording current control unit 72 uses the recording current information to suppress the recording current applied to the coil 70 to be less than a threshold. This is based on information from... Figure 1 The light source drive current control unit 71 uses the light source drive current information to apply a light source drive current to the light source 32.

[0042] As the near-field optical element 30, for example, an alloy composed of Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, or Ir, or a combination thereof, can be used. As the insulating layer disposed between the main magnetic pole and the near-field optical element, for example, an oxide composed of SiO2, Al2O3, etc., can be used.

[0043] Examples of heat-assisted magnetic recording methods that can be used in a disk drive 200 include: conventional magnetic recording (CMR), in which tracks are written at intervals in the radial direction and adjacent tracks do not overlap; shimmering magnetic recording (SMR), in which tracks overlap in the radial direction and a portion of adjacent tracks overlap; interlaced magnetic recording (IMR), in which bottom and top tracks overlap alternately and after recording to the bottom track, the top track overlaps with the bottom track; or combinations thereof.

[0044] Figure 5 An example of a flowchart illustrating the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment is shown.

[0045] Figure 6 A model diagram is shown representing the lubricant curing material formed on a heat-assisted magnetic recording head.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, firstly, the heat-assisted magnetic recording head 10, which has an NFT30 and a main magnetic pole 40 at its front end, is levitated and maintained in an on-track state (ST1) on the disk 1, which has a magnetic recording layer 23, a protective layer 24, and a lubricant layer 25 coated on the protective layer 24, with a head levitation amount of height H1, so that lubricant fills the gap between the front end of the NFT30 and the lubricant layer 25 of the magnetic recording medium. Next, based on the lubricant curing processing information from the lubricant curing processing unit 73, while maintaining "suppressing the recording current applied to the coil 70 to be less than a threshold (ST2)" and "applying a light source driving current to the light source 32 (ST3)" for a certain period of time, the recording layer and lubricant near the NFT30 are locally heated to generate lubricant curing (ST4).

[0047] Therefore, it is possible to minimize the impact on areas outside the region where the lubricant hardens, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lubricant filled from the lubricant layer 25 at the front end of the NFT30 is cured, and the cured lubricant 26 with a first height H1 is attached to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head 10.

[0048] The formation of lubricant cured material can occur at times other than the scheduled data recording time, such as before or after the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device leaves the factory, or under user conditions. Furthermore, the formation of lubricant cured material can occur in any area outside the data recording area.

[0049] Areas other than the data recording area may include, for example: servo recording area, defective areas that avoid the possibility of head degradation, band area of ​​SMR recording, areas in the system area that can be written to, such as areas that confirm head degradation, areas that are reserved for certain reasons, media cache for SMR with performance improvements, reserve areas for ATI (Adjacent Track Interference) rewriting, or reserve areas for future defects.

[0050] This diagram serves as an example to illustrate areas outside the data recording area. Figure 7 A model diagram showing the guard band as a band region in a tile record (SMR) is shown.

[0051] Here, as shown in the figure, a protective band 61-2 is provided between one band 62-1 of the tile recording and the adjacent band 62-2. Overlapping tracks N, N+1, N+2, N+3, N+4, and N+5 are provided on band 62-1. Regarding the protective band 61-2, overlapping tracks M, M+1, M+2, M+3, M+4, and M+5 are also provided on band 62-2. The protective band 61-2 is slightly separated from tracks N+5 and M on both sides, and does not overlap. A protective band 61-1 is provided on the opposite side of the protective band 61-2, separated from the tile recording band 62-1. A protective band 61-3 is provided on the opposite side of the protective band 61-2, separated from the tracks on both sides, and does not overlap.

[0052] Other timekeeping methods besides data recording include, for example, timekeeping before writing servo information such as self-servo writing, timekeeping at a certain interval when the idle state lasts for a certain period of time, or data recording in the background.

[0053] Before the heat-assisted magnetic recording and playback device leaves the factory, as a timing mechanism other than the timing for data recording, a lubricant curing layer is formed on the recording surface of the heat-assisted magnetic recording medium before forming a reference servo pattern for servo writing, such as a concentric circle or spiral shape. This prevents degradation of read / write characteristics caused by the lubricant curing layer during subsequent reference pattern formation. Furthermore, during subsequent servo writing, the on-track state towards the reference servo pattern can be maintained without causing obstruction.

[0054] Recording current is the current that can be used for data recording, such as the current applied to the magnetic coil of the recording head during data recording. The threshold of the recording current is a small current that can suppress the magnetic recording layer of a magnetic recording medium from undergoing magnetization reversal. The threshold of the recording current can be set, for example, to be greater than 0 and less than 17 mA. When it exceeds 17 mA, there is a tendency for the current value to cause magnetization reversal in the recording layer of the magnetic recording medium. Alternatively, the recording current can be set to 0, in which case the recording current is in an OFF state.

[0055] In addition, the driving current of the light source refers to the current that makes the light source emit light. For example, a laser light source can be used as a light source.

[0056] The duration of "maintaining the recording current within the threshold while applying the light source driving current to the light source 32" can be maintained for at least 4 milliseconds, and in cases where the duration is longer, it can be maintained for about 10 seconds.

[0057] Example 1

[0058] In Example 1, an example is shown where a lubricant curing material is generated before a concentric or spiral reference servo pattern for servo writing is formed on the recording surface.

[0059] Figure 8 Other examples of flowcharts illustrating the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment are shown.

[0060] First, the head 10 is floated in the area of ​​the recording surface where the reference servo pattern is formed (ST11). Before floating the head 10, it is possible to determine the timing of lubricant curing in areas outside the data area. Next, the recording head is fixed by pressing the inner stop 11b, or by tracking other heads of the multiple magnetic heads 10 facing other recording surfaces on the spiral pattern or servo pattern, maintaining the head in track state (ST12). Next, while the recording current is lower than a threshold, for example, the recording current is turned off (ST13), the light source drive current of the recording head 10 is turned on (ST14), and maintained for a certain period of time, lubricant curing is generated near the NFT31 of the recording head 10W (ST15). Then, a concentric or spiral reference servo pattern for servo writing is formed (ST16).

[0061] According to Embodiment 1, as shown in ST13 and ST14, before forming a concentric or spiral reference servo pattern for servo writing, while keeping the recording current below a threshold (e.g., disconnecting the recording current), the light source drive current of the recording head is turned on, generating a lubricant curing material near the NFT of the recording head. Therefore, the impact on areas outside the region where the reference servo pattern is formed can be minimized by generating the lubricant curing material. This allows for minimizing the time required to fill the gap between the NFT front end and the magnetic recording medium with lubricant based on the head levitation amount while in "on-track mode," i.e., the time of recording performance degradation, so as to perform data recording or pattern formation without reducing the recording and reproduction performance of areas outside the region where the lubricant curing material is formed. Furthermore, ST13 and ST14 can be performed simultaneously or in reverse order.

[0062] On the other hand, if the recording current is not lower than the threshold, it will have an adverse effect on areas other than the area where the reference servo pattern is formed, and it will be unable to stay on track when forming a spiral servo writing reference servo pattern, and there is a tendency for the production of the reference servo pattern to become difficult.

[0063] Example 2

[0064] Example 2 shows an example of generating a lubricant curing product in the user environment after leaving the factory.

[0065] Figure 9 Another example of a flowchart illustrating the control method of the magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment is shown.

[0066] The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproducing device is placed in the user environment. First, it is determined whether a certain period of time has elapsed since no command has been received from the host 18 (ST21). If no certain period of time has elapsed, the process ends directly. If a certain period of time has elapsed, the recording head 10 is moved to, for example, a defect registration area or the tape position of the SMR and held on track (ST22). Furthermore, the defect registration area refers to a region in the magnetic recording medium where data cannot be recorded. Since protrusions in the defect registration area may cause head deterioration, they can be avoided. While keeping the recording current below a threshold, for example, disconnecting the recording current (ST23), the light source drive current of the recording head 10 is turned on (ST24) and maintained for a certain period of time, generating lubricant solidification near the NFT31 of the recording head 10 (ST25) and then the process ends.

[0067] According to Embodiment 2, as shown in ST23 and ST24, in a user environment, at the defect registration site or the band position of the SMR, while keeping the recording current below a threshold (e.g., disconnecting the recording current), the light source drive current of the recording head is turned on, generating lubricant solidification near the NFT of the recording head. Therefore, the impact on areas other than the defect registration site or the band position of the SMR can be minimized by generating lubricant solidification. Consequently, in the "on-track state," the time required to fill the gap between the NFT front end and the magnetic recording medium with lubricant based on the head levitation amount—that is, the time of recording performance degradation—can be minimized, allowing data recording or pattern formation to be performed in a manner that does not degrade the recording and reproduction performance of areas other than the area where lubricant solidification forms.

[0068] On the other hand, without reducing the recording current to the threshold, it may adversely affect the defect registration area or the area outside the band position of the SMR, and there is a tendency to make it difficult to maintain on track during recording.

[0069] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device, The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device includes a heat-assisted magnetic recording head and a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head has a main magnetic pole, a near-field optical element that generates near-field light, a waveguide that allows light to propagate to the near-field optical element, and a light source that supplies light to the waveguide. The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium has a lubricant layer on the recording surface facing the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device includes: Maintain the heat-assisted magnetic recording head on track. For the heat-assisted magnetic recording head, the recording current for data recording is maintained below a threshold, a light source driving current for emitting light is applied to the light source, and a lubricant solidification is generated at the front end of the near-field optical element.

2. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device according to claim 1, The threshold is greater than 0 and less than 17mA.

3. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device according to claim 1, The recorded current is 0.

4. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device according to claim 1, The adjustment method for the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device further includes: After the lubricant curing material is generated, a concentric or spiral reference servo pattern for servo writing is formed on the recording surface.

5. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device according to claim 1, Adjust the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device in the user environment.

6. The adjustment method of the heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction device according to claim 1, Maintaining the heat-assisted magnetic recording head on track includes: Move the heat-assisted magnetic recording head to the defect registration site or the SMR band position.

7. A heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproducing device, comprising: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole, a near-field optical element that generates near-field light, a waveguide that allows light to propagate to the near-field optical element, and a light source that supplies light to the waveguide. The heat-assisted magnetic recording medium has a lubricant layer on the recording surface facing the heat-assisted magnetic recording head; The head position control unit maintains the heat-assisted magnetic recording head on track; The data recording current control unit controls the data recording current applied to the heat-assisted magnetic recording head. A light source drive current control unit controls the light source drive current applied to the light source; as well as The lubricant curing product generation processing unit performs the following process: while controlling the data recording current to be less than a threshold, it applies the light source driving current to the light source to generate lubricant curing product at the front end of the near-field light element.

8. The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus according to claim 7, The threshold is 0–17 mA.

9. The heat-assisted magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus according to claim 7, The threshold is 0.

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