Near-field optical head system with integrated slider and laser
US7158470B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B7/22
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A near-field optical apparatus having one or more solid state lasers and an aerodynamically shaped slider which comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers. The optical head comprising a single semiconductor substrate including a first region which defines a slider having an air bearing surface, and at least one second, laser region which defines a diode laser, with the diode laser having an emission face which is substantially co-planar with the air bearing surface. The semiconductor substrate preferably includes an active layer, a p-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a first side of the active region, an n-clad layer or reflective layer adjacent a second side of the active layer, and an n-semiconductor layer adjacent the n-clad layer. A slider region of the semiconductor substrate includes an air bearing surface, adjacent the p-clad layer, which is aerodynamically struc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.