Near-field light transducer comprising propagation edge with predetermined curvature radius
US8169731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/001
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a near-field light transducer with a propagation edge in which the generation of defects is suppressed. The transducer is formed of a Ag alloy and comprises an edge, the edge comprising a portion to be coupled with a light in a surface plasmon mode, the edge extending from the portion to a near-field light generating end surface, and the edge being configured to propagate surface plasmon excited by the light. Further, a curvature radius of the rounded edge is set in the range from 6.25 nm to 20 nm. In the edge and its vicinity, the generation of defects such as cracking and chipping is suppressed. Thereby improved are a propagation efficiency of surface plasmon and a light use efficiency of the transducer. The Ag alloy preferably contains at least one element selected from a group of Pd, Au, Cu, Ru, Rh and Ir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.