Patent ID: 7069569
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: G11B,H01S

Abstract:
1. A near-field optical system comprising: (a) an optical head, said optical head comprising a single, monolithic semiconductor substrate, said semiconductor substrate comprising first and second conductivity-type clad layers; said first and second conductivity-type clad layers being adjacent to an active region layer; (b) said optical head including at least one semiconductor laser, said semiconductor laser integral to said monolithic semiconductor substrate; (c) said optical head including a semiconductor slider, said semiconductor slider integral to said monolithic substrate; (d) a first side electrical contact associated with said first conductivity-type clad layer on a first side of said semiconductor substrate; and (e) a second side electrical contact associated with said second conductivity-type clad layer on a second side of said semiconductor substrate; wherein said first side electrical contact and second side electrical contact are electrically accessible from one of a portion of said semiconductor substrate which is remote from an air bearing surface and said first side of said semiconductor substrate which said first side being substantially opposite an air bearing surface, or wherein said first side electrical contact is electrically accessible from a side of said semiconductor substrate which is opposite an air bearing surface and said second side electrical contact is electrically accessible from a side of said semiconductor substrate which is substantially normal to said air bearing sufface.