Patent ID: 6754163
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: B82Y,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
A recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus, comprising:an aperture element comprising a flat dielectric substrate having an inverted conical hole therethrough to form a microscopic aperture for creating or scattering near-field light; light illuminating means for illuminating light having a single wavelength width or a plurality of wavelengths onto the recording medium such that near-field light is created proximate a surface of the recording medium; light detecting means for detecting scattered light caused as a result of interaction of the near-field light with the recording medium or the aperture element corresponding to the wavelength of the illumination light when the microscopic aperture is brought into close proximity to the recording medium; and control means for controlling a spacing between the aperture element and the recording medium based on the scattered light.