Patent ID: 8040761
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A near-field light generating device comprising: a waveguide that has a top surface and allows light to propagate therethrough; a buffer layer that has a refractive index lower than that of the waveguide and is disposed on the top surface of the waveguide; an adhesion layer that is formed by incompletely oxidizing a metal layer and is disposed on the buffer layer; and a near-field light generating element disposed on the adhesion layer, wherein: the adhesion layer has a resistance-area product higher than that of the metal layer unoxidized and lower than that of a layer that is formed by completely oxidizing the metal layer; a layered structure consisting of the buffer layer, the adhesion layer and the near-field light generating element has a peel-test adhesive strength higher than that of a layered structure consisting of the buffer layer and the near-field light generating element; the near-field light generating element has a coupling part that is opposed to the top surface of the waveguide with the adhesion layer and the buffer layer interposed therebetween, and a near-field light generating part that generates near-field light; and a surface plasmon is excited on the coupling part through coupling with evanescent light that occurs from an interface between the waveguide and the buffer layer, the surface plasmon propagates to the near-field light generating part, and the near-field light generating part generates the near-field light based on the surface plasmon.