Near-field optical head, method of fabricating same, and optical drive using same
US6738338B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y20/00
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
There is disclosed a near-field optical head having an microscopic aperture whose size can be varied. The optical head comprises a substrate of silicon. A hole in the form of an inverted cone is formed in the substrate. The top portion of this hole forms the microscopic aperture. A support portion for supporting an actuator is formed on the substrate. The actuator holds a light-blocking film in such a way that the light-blocking film stays in the hole and that the bottom surface of the light-blocking film is flush with the bottom surface of the microscopic aperture. The light-blocking film is moved by the actuator to change the aperture to desired size.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.