Patent ID: 8223611

Claim:
A method for forming a near-field light generating element including a plasmon antenna that has a first side surface and a second side surface, both surfaces being inclined to a substrate surface, and generates near-field light by being irradiated with light, the method comprising the steps of: forming a first etching stopper layer on a lower waveguide layer that is formed on/above the substrate surface and is made of material for forming a waveguide, and then forming a second etching stopper layer; forming, on said second etching stopper layer, a plasmon antenna material layer that is made of material for forming said plasmon antenna; etching said plasmon antenna material layer with said second etching stopper layer used as a stopper, to form said first side surface; forming a side-surface protecting mask so as to cover the formed first side surface; and etching said plasmon antenna material layer in which said first side surface is covered with said side-surface protecting mask, with the first and second etching stopper layers used as stoppers, to form said second side surface, thereby forming said plasmon-antenna.