Optical aperture for data recording having transmission enhanced by waveguide mode resonance
US6975580B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electromagnetic radiation from an optical source is directed onto an optical aperture in a metallic structure. The metallic structure in turn emits optical output from an emission region in the structure and onto a recording medium (e.g., a magnetic recording disk), thereby heating the medium. The optical output is enhanced when the electromagnetic radiation from the optical source includes a frequency that matches a waveguide mode resonance in the metallic structure. Features (such as ridges or trenches) in the metallic structure may be used to further increase the emitted optical output beyond what the emitted optical output would be in the absence of these features. The apparatus and associated method are useful for data recording, e.g., thermally assisted data recording.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.