Perpendicular oriented single-pole nano-optical transducer

Nano-optical transducers have been utilized in existing and emerging applications due to their ability to obtain small optical spots, large transmission efficiency, and narrow and adjustable spectral response. In emerging nano-optical applications, such as heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), these features are not sufficient. For example, in HAMR a transducer should also satisfy additional requirements, such as mass-production and integrability with other device components. In this study, the basic principles of Maxwell's equations and image theory for good metals are utilized to design a perpendicular oriented single-pole nano-optical transducer, which can be integrated into the manufacturing technologies of current hard disk drive heads. The perpendicular oriented single-pole nano-optical transducer is investigated using 3-D finite element method. Gold transducers are investigated for both longitudinal and perpendicular orientations. The optical intensity profiles and spot sizes of longitudinal and perpendicular oriented transducers are compared for various fly heights. It is shown that a perpendicular ridge waveguide provides localized optical spots with intensities comparable to longitudinal transducers. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America