A waveguide is configured to couple light from a light source at a fundamental transverse electric (TE) mode. A mode converter outputs the light to an output region of the waveguide at a higher-order TE mode. A plasmonic transducer receives the light at the higher order TE mode and generates surface plasmons that heat a recording medium. The plasmonic transducer includes: an input end proximate the output region of the waveguide and comprising a first convex curved edge; an output end proximate a surface that faces the recording medium, the output end comprising a second convex curved edge and a peg; and linear edges between the first and second convex curved edges.