Abstract
Simulation of near-field assisted recording using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and thermal analysis was carried out. Improvement of optical coupling efficiency between nano-patterned medium and optical near-field probe is the most important issue to design and optimize heat assisted near-field magnetic recording system. We propose the new nano-patterned medium structure that constructs the multi layer structure of silver and magnetic recording material. Local plasmon enhancement of silver layer is effective in order to improve optical near-field coupling efficiency of nano-patterned medium. The generated heat at silver layer conducts into magnetic recording material layer.