A recording head includes a waveguide core and write pole extending to a media-facing surface of the recording head. A near-field transducer is located between the waveguide core and the write pole. First and second side shields are located on either crosstrack side of the near-field transducer. The first and second shields have edges facing and conformal with first and second tapered sides and a peg of the near-field transducer such that there are respective first and second constant-width gaps therebetween.

An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A near-field transducer comprising a peg is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider, and an optical waveguide of the slider is configured to couple light from a light source to the near-field transducer. The peg comprises a hyperbolic metamaterial, and the near-field transducer may further include an enlarged portion from which the peg extends, where the enlarged portion may also comprise a hyperbolic metamaterial.

An apparatus comprises a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. A near-field transducer comprising a peg is situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider, and an optical waveguide of the slider is configured to couple light from a light source to the near-field transducer. The peg comprises a hyperbolic metamaterial, and the near-field transducer may further include an enlarged portion from which the peg extends, where the enlarged portion may also comprise a hyperbolic metamaterial.

In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head. The magnetic head has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion together providing a tape bearing surface. The first portion has two pieces flanking the second portion in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. The second portion has at least one array of transducers. A longitudinal axis of each of the at least one array is defined between opposite ends thereof. The longitudinal axis of each of the at least one array of transducers is oriented at an angle relative to the line oriented orthogonally to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross, the angle being between 0.2 and about 10.

In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head. The magnetic head has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion together providing a tape bearing surface. The first portion has an opening at least partially encircling the second portion. The second portion has two modules, each module having at least one array of transducers. Each module has a first outermost edge oriented orthogonally to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, and a second outermost edge opposite the first edge, the second edge being oriented at an angle between 0.2 and about 10 relative to a line oriented orthogonally to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross.