Near-field optical transducers for thermal assisted magnetic and optical data storage
US7330404B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical transducer comprises an optical element for directing an electromagnetic wave to a focal region and a metallic nano-structure having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an electric field of the electromagnetic wave, the metallic nano-structure being positioned outside of the optical element, wherein the electromagnetic wave produces surface plasmons on the metallic nano-structure. A cladding material having a refractive index differing from the refractive index of the optical element can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic nano-structure. Magneto-optical recording heads that include the transducers and disc drives that include the magneto-optical recording heads are also included.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.