Patent · US Active

Near-field light generating element comprising surface plasmon antenna with surface or edge opposed to waveguide

US8107325B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 2008
Grant dateJan 31, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Provided is a near-field light generating element in which reduced is the propagation loss of excited surface plasmon that propagates to the near-field light generating end. The element comprises: a waveguide through which light for exciting surface plasmon propagates; and a plasmon antenna comprising a near-field light generating end and a propagation surface or edge. The propagation surface or edge extends to the near-field light generating end, and causes surface plasmon excited by the light to propagate thereon. Further, a portion of the side surface on the near-field light generating end side is opposed to the propagation surface or edge with a predetermined distance so as for the light to be coupled with the plasmon antenna in a surface plasmon mode. In this configuration, surface plasmon can propagates without significantly changing its wavenumber, which leads to a less propagation loss, and to an improved light use efficiency.

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