Embodiments disclosed herein provide magnetic media access heads with metal coatings. In a particular embodiment, a magnetic media head for accessing magnetic media comprises a base substrate configured to support a magnetic head layer. The magnetic head layer is formed on the base substrate and configured to magnetically access the magnetic media. A metallic layer formed over the magnetic head layer and disposed between the magnetic head layer and the magnetic media when the magnetic media is positioned for access by the magnetic head layer.

A recording head includes a near-field transducer proximate a media-facing surface of the recording head. A light delivery waveguide extends from an energy source to the near-field transducer. The light delivery waveguide includes, proximate the near-field transducer, a C-shaped core of a first dielectric material. The C-shaped core has a hollow aligned with the near-field transducer. A cladding of a second dielectric material surrounds the C-shaped core.