Patent ID: 6633439
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An optical data storage system capable of reading and recording data to and from an optical recording media, the optical data storage system comprising:an air bearing slider, and a read/write head, wherein the read/write head includes: i) a solid immersion lens having: a substantially flat surface; an aspherical surface having a radius r along a first optical axis, the aspherical surface formed such that electromagnetic radiation received at the aspherical surface is substantially focused at a point proximal to the substantially flat surface; and ii) an objective lens having a second optical axis; wherein the solid immersion lens is disposed such that the aspherical surface of the solid immersion lens faces the objective lens, the first optical axis and the second optical axis being substantially aligned; and wherein the objective lens and the solid immersion lens are mounted on the air-bearing slider.