Patent · US Expired

Optical information recording and reading apparatus

US6785201B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 21, 2002
Grant dateAug 31, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B7/22
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

It is an optical information recording and reading apparatus for recording and/or reading information at a high density by using a near-field light-generating device as a near-field optical head. The end surface of the core of a flexible optical waveguide is formed in an intermediate position in the optical waveguide and in a portion fixed to the near-field optical head. Light for recording and reading information is spread within the clad. The spread light flux is reflected toward the near-field optical head by a reflective surface formed on the side of one end of the optical waveguide. The reflected light flux is collected by light-collecting structures and then is made to enter an optical minute aperture formed in the near-field optical head. Near-field light is created near the minute aperture. Light scattered by the surface of the recording medium is received. Thus, information on the recording medium can be recorded and read.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.