Patent ID: 8023366
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G11B

Abstract:
1. A near-field optical head that generates near-field light to heat a predetermined area of a medium and applies a magnetic field to the predetermined area to record information, the head comprising: an optical waveguide having a path for propagating a beam of light; and a near-field light generating element having a magnetic pole gap having an opening at a position facing toward the predetermined area and collecting the beam of light emitted from the optical waveguide and simultaneously propagating the collected beam of light to the magnetic pole gap to generate near-field light, wherein the magnetic pole gap is formed by a magnetic pole that applies a magnetic field to the predetermined area, the near-field light generating element includes a pyramidal tip containing a transparent material, the magnetic pole gap is formed at the pointed end of the pyramidal tip, and a part of the magnetic pole is provided at a part of a side of the pyramidal tip.