JPH04370536A - Optical recording/reproducing device - Google Patents
Optical recording/reproducing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH04370536A JPH04370536A JP3147478A JP14747891A JPH04370536A JP H04370536 A JPH04370536 A JP H04370536A JP 3147478 A JP3147478 A JP 3147478A JP 14747891 A JP14747891 A JP 14747891A JP H04370536 A JPH04370536 A JP H04370536A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- recording
- light
- head
- reproducing
- wavelength
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000002834 transmittance Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000862 absorption spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002238 attenuated effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 101000582320 Homo sapiens Neurogenic differentiation factor 6 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100030589 Neurogenic differentiation factor 6 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 238000002835 absorbance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004042 decolorization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002845 discoloration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000859 sublimation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008022 sublimation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Optical Recording Or Reproduction (AREA)
- Optical Head (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】0001
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は光による情報の記録及び
再生が可能な装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of recording and reproducing information using light.
【０００２】0002
【従来の技術】従来の光記録装置では、光源からの光を
光学レンズを通して集光し、記録された情報の再生のた
めには同等のレンズを用いて記録情報を検出する方法が
とられている。具体的には、記録のために、光源からの
光をレンズにより記録媒体上に回折限界に相当する微小
スポットに集光し、媒体上の特定の微小領域において、
融解，昇華などの物理変化、もしくは変色、脱色などの
化学変化を起こさせている。そして、再生のためには、
記録時と同等のレンズを用いて記録媒体上に再生光を集
光して反射もしくは透過光の強度を測定している。2. Description of the Related Art In conventional optical recording devices, light from a light source is focused through an optical lens, and an equivalent lens is used to detect the recorded information in order to reproduce the recorded information. There is. Specifically, for recording, light from a light source is focused onto a minute spot corresponding to the diffraction limit on the recording medium using a lens, and in a specific minute area on the medium,
Physical changes such as melting and sublimation, or chemical changes such as discoloration and decolorization are caused. And for reproduction,
The reproduction light is focused onto the recording medium using a lens similar to that used during recording, and the intensity of the reflected or transmitted light is measured.
【０００３】0003
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、このよ
うな従来の光記録再生装置においては、記録時にも再生
時にもレンズによる光の集光を利用しているため、集光
のスポットサイズは波長の２分の１が限界である。従っ
て、記録媒体と光の相互作用領域、すなわち記録の最小
単位は波長の２分の１以下にすることができず、記録密
度は記録時及び再生時の光の波長により制限を受けてい
る。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such conventional optical recording and reproducing devices, since light is focused by a lens during both recording and playback, the spot size of the focused light is smaller than the wavelength. The limit is 1/2. Therefore, the interaction area between the recording medium and light, that is, the minimum recording unit, cannot be made smaller than half the wavelength, and the recording density is limited by the wavelength of light during recording and reproduction.
【０００４】本発明の目的は、レンズによる光の集光を
必要とすることなく、極めて微細な領域において情報の
記録及び再生が可能な光記録再生装置を提供することに
ある。[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording/reproducing device that is capable of recording and reproducing information in an extremely minute area without the need for condensing light using a lens.
【０００５】[0005]
【問題点を解決する為の手段】本発明による光記録再生
装置は、所定の波長光を供給する光源と、該波長に比べ
て十分小さな開口を有するヘッドを備え、これに光を通
過させることにより生ずるエバネセント光を近接場領域
において光記録媒体に対して相対的に走査するための走
査手段とを有し、光記録媒体に対して所定の情報が光の
吸収率の変化もしくは屈折率の変化として記録する。[Means for Solving the Problems] The optical recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source that supplies light of a predetermined wavelength and a head having an aperture that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength, and allows the light to pass through the head. scanning means for scanning the evanescent light generated by the optical recording medium relative to the optical recording medium in a near-field region, and a scanning means for scanning the evanescent light generated by Record as.
【０００６】記録された情報の再生手段としては、記録
時と同様の微小開口を有する再生用ヘッドと記録媒体の
反対側に配置された光検出器とを設け、該光検出器によ
り前記記録媒体を透過する光の強度変化を検出すること
が好ましい。また再生手段の別の構成としては、記録媒
体の裏面から所定の角度で再生光を照射して記録媒体の
表面において全反射させ、このとき記録媒体表面で生ず
るエバネセント波の強度変化を、記録媒体上の近接場領
域に配置した微小開口を有する再生ヘッドにより受容し
、このヘッドに入射する光の強度変化を検出することも
可能である。As means for reproducing recorded information, a reproducing head having a minute aperture similar to that used during recording and a photodetector placed on the opposite side of the recording medium are provided. It is preferable to detect changes in the intensity of the light transmitted through the light. Another configuration of the reproducing means is to irradiate the reproducing light from the back surface of the recording medium at a predetermined angle and cause it to be totally reflected on the surface of the recording medium, so that the change in intensity of the evanescent wave generated on the surface of the recording medium is It is also possible to receive the light by a reproducing head having a small aperture located in the upper near-field region, and to detect changes in the intensity of the light incident on the head.
【０００７】[0007]
【作用】上記の如き本発明による記録再生装置において
は、記録及び再生を波長よりも小さな口径をもつ開口を
通った光を近接場領域で用いることにより、記録媒体と
光の相互作用領域を前記開口径程度の微小領域とするこ
とができる。このため、記録の最小単位を記録光及び再
生光の波長によらず小さくすることが可能であり、従っ
て記録密度を波長の制限を受けることなしに高めること
が可能となる。[Operation] In the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention as described above, recording and reproducing are performed using light passing through an aperture having an aperture smaller than the wavelength in the near-field region, so that the interaction region between the recording medium and the light is The area can be as small as the aperture diameter. Therefore, the minimum unit of recording can be made small regardless of the wavelength of the recording light and the reproduction light, and therefore the recording density can be increased without being limited by the wavelength.
【０００８】なお、本発明におけるヘッドの微小開口と
は、記録及び再生光の波長の２分の１以下の口径を持つ
ような開口を意味し、好ましくは波長の１０分の１程度
である。[0008] The minute aperture of the head in the present invention means an aperture having an aperture that is one-half or less of the wavelength of recording and reproducing light, preferably about one-tenth of the wavelength.
【０００９】[0009]
【実施例】以下本発明を実施例に基づいて説明する。図
１は本発明による光記録再生装置の概略構成図である。
レーザ１からの光は反射鏡２により反射されてレンズ３
により集光されて記録ヘッド４に入射される。記録ヘッ
ド４の先端には、波長に比べて十分に小さな、例えば波
長λに対して１０分の１程度の開口４ａが形成されてお
り、この微小開口４ａからしみ出す光電場によって透明
基板５上に形成された記録媒体層５に記録がなされる。EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. The light from the laser 1 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 2 and passes through the lens 3.
The light is focused and incident on the recording head 4. At the tip of the recording head 4, an aperture 4a that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength, for example, about 1/10 of the wavelength λ, is formed. Recording is performed on the recording medium layer 5 formed on the recording medium layer 5 .
【００１０】ここで、記録ヘッド４の先端の微小開口４
ａからしみ出す光電場の様子は、図２に示す如く、開口
付近に非常に電場強度の高い領域が形成され、近接場に
おいては開口と同程度の大きさの領域においてのみ電場
強度が高くなっている。図２はヘッドとしてオプティカ
ルファイバーの先端部に反射膜を施して中心部に微小開
口４ａを形成した例であり、ヘッド４に入射する光が微
小開口４ａからしみ出す光電場の強度Ｅの様子を示して
いる。
この電場強度Ｅを図３のグラフに示す。図３のグラフに
おいて、横軸は開口からの距離を開口の半径で規格化し
た値を対数目盛で示し、縦軸は光強度の対数を表してい
る。本発明における近接場とは、光強度が距離の−３．
７ 乗で減衰する領域を指すものとする。このような光
電場によって記録を行うためのヘッド４としては、光フ
ァイバー、毛細管、導波路などの先端部に反射コーティ
ングを施して、微小開口を形成したものを用いることが
望ましい。Here, the minute opening 4 at the tip of the recording head 4
As shown in Figure 2, the optical electric field seeping out from a is such that a region with extremely high electric field strength is formed near the aperture, and in the near field, the electric field strength is high only in a region of the same size as the aperture. ing. FIG. 2 shows an example of a head in which a reflective film is applied to the tip of an optical fiber to form a minute aperture 4a in the center. It shows. This electric field strength E is shown in the graph of FIG. In the graph of FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the distance from the aperture normalized by the radius of the aperture on a logarithmic scale, and the vertical axis represents the logarithm of the light intensity. In the present invention, the near field means that the light intensity is -3.
It refers to the area where the attenuation occurs to the 7th power. As the head 4 for recording using such an optical electric field, it is desirable to use an optical fiber, a capillary tube, a waveguide, etc. whose tip is coated with a reflective coating to form a minute aperture.
【００１１】この記録ヘッド４を記録媒体６に近接させ
て、ｘｙスキャナ１０でヘッド４と記録媒体６とを相対
的に移動させ、記録媒体６上の所望の位置にあるときに
レーザ光を照射することにより、上述の近接場において
情報を記録することができる。この記録媒体としては、
例えばフォトクロミック材料をＬＢ膜化したもの、もし
くは高分子中に分散させたものを薄膜化したものなどを
利用することができる。記録媒体の一例として、フォト
クロミック材料フルギド８Ｅを用いる場合について述べ
る。その吸収スペクトルを図４に示す。図４において横
軸は波長、縦軸は吸光度である。具体的には、波長 ３
６６ｎｍの光で励起すると、この波長に対する吸収が減
少する。また同時に波長 ５００ｎｍ付近の吸収が増大
する。従って、記録光を照射した時の ３６６ｎｍ付近
での吸収の減少、又は ５００ｎｍ付近での吸収の増大
によって情報の記録を行うことができる。尚、記録時に
は、基板下方に配置された再生用の検出器７により、記
録の確認などのモニタを行うことができる。The recording head 4 is brought close to the recording medium 6, the head 4 and the recording medium 6 are moved relative to each other using the xy scanner 10, and when the head 4 and the recording medium 6 are at a desired position on the recording medium 6, a laser beam is irradiated. By doing so, information can be recorded in the above-mentioned near field. This recording medium is
For example, a photochromic material made into an LB film, or a thin film made from a photochromic material dispersed in a polymer can be used. As an example of a recording medium, a case will be described in which the photochromic material Fulgide 8E is used. The absorption spectrum is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is wavelength and the vertical axis is absorbance. Specifically, wavelength 3
Excitation with 66 nm light reduces absorption for this wavelength. At the same time, absorption near a wavelength of 500 nm increases. Therefore, information can be recorded by decreasing absorption near 366 nm or increasing absorption near 500 nm when recording light is irradiated. Incidentally, during recording, it is possible to perform monitoring such as confirmation of recording using a detector 7 for reproduction arranged below the substrate.
【００１２】情報の記録は、上述のような吸収率の変化
のみならず、屈折率の変化として行うことも可能である
。次に、この装置により記録された情報の再生のための
構成について説明する。再生のためには記録光と同一光
源を用い、記録ヘッド４を再生ヘッドとして兼用するが
、再生時には記録された情報を大きく破壊しないように
光量を十分小さくしておく。記録再生ヘッド４を記録媒
体６に接近させ、ｘｙスキャナ１０でヘッド４と記録媒
体６とを相対的に走査させ、この時各位置における記録
媒体の光透過率を、記録再生ヘッド４の微小開口４ａか
らの光と記録媒体６の下方に配置された検出器７とで測
定する。すなわち、記録媒体６において、所定の情報が
吸収率の低下として記録されている場合には、記録再生
ヘッド４の微小開口４ａから供給する光に対して、検出
器７で検出される光量の変化を信号処理手段８で検出す
る。
記録媒体６上で情報が記録されている位置においては、
この波長での吸収が減少しているため、検出器７からよ
り大きな検出信号が出力される。ここでは、記録された
情報を破壊しないように再生時の光量を十分小さくして
おくこととしたが、記録後再生までの間に現像処理など
により記録情報を固定することが可能であれば、再生光
の強度を強くすることができ、再生信号のＳ／Ｎ比を向
上させることができる。[0012] Information can be recorded not only by changing the absorption rate as described above, but also by changing the refractive index. Next, a configuration for reproducing information recorded by this device will be described. For reproduction, the same light source as the recording light is used, and the recording head 4 is also used as a reproduction head, but the amount of light is kept sufficiently small during reproduction so as not to significantly destroy the recorded information. The recording/reproducing head 4 is brought close to the recording medium 6, and the head 4 and the recording medium 6 are scanned relative to each other by the xy scanner 10. At this time, the light transmittance of the recording medium at each position is measured using the micro aperture of the recording/reproducing head 4. Measurement is performed using the light from 4a and a detector 7 placed below the recording medium 6. That is, when predetermined information is recorded as a decrease in absorption rate in the recording medium 6, a change in the amount of light detected by the detector 7 with respect to the light supplied from the minute aperture 4a of the recording/reproducing head 4 is detected by the signal processing means 8. At the position where information is recorded on the recording medium 6,
Since the absorption at this wavelength is reduced, a larger detection signal is output from the detector 7. Here, we decided to keep the amount of light during playback sufficiently small so as not to destroy the recorded information, but if it is possible to fix the recorded information through development processing etc. between recording and playback, The intensity of the reproduction light can be increased, and the S/N ratio of the reproduction signal can be improved.
【００１３】ヘッド４の微小開口４ａ付近では、光電場
は距離に対して急激に減衰するが、透明基板５に入って
しまうと通常の伝播モードの光になるので、距離の−２
乗で減衰するのみとなり、多少離れた位置に配置された
検出器７によっても十分な検出が可能である。そして、
記録再生制御手段１１は、情報記録時においてｘｙスキ
ャナ駆動手段９を制御して記録媒体６とヘッド４とを所
望の位置に配置し、レーザ光源１を発光させて情報の記
録を行う。情報の再生時においては、レーザ光源１から
定常的に光を発しつつｘｙスキャナ駆動手段９を制御し
て記録媒体６とヘッド４とを相対的に走査させて信号処
理手段８により記録情報を再生する。Near the minute aperture 4a of the head 4, the optical electric field attenuates rapidly with distance, but once it enters the transparent substrate 5, it becomes light in the normal propagation mode, so that -2 of the distance
It is only attenuated by the power of the power, and sufficient detection is possible even with the detector 7 placed at a somewhat distant position. and,
When recording information, the recording/reproducing control means 11 controls the xy scanner driving means 9 to position the recording medium 6 and the head 4 at desired positions, and causes the laser light source 1 to emit light to record information. When reproducing information, the laser light source 1 emits light steadily and the xy scanner driving means 9 is controlled to relatively scan the recording medium 6 and the head 4, and the signal processing means 8 reproduces the recorded information. do.
【００１４】以上は記録と再生を同一の波長で行う場合
であるが、図４に示した如き記録媒体の特性を用いて記
録時に他の波長域における吸収の増大を生ずる場合には
、この波長域での再生も可能である。この場合には、光
源として記録用と再生用と２種の波長の光を同時に発す
ることのできるレーザや、２つのレーザ光をビームスプ
リッターを介して空間的に重ねることが有効である。
そして、前述の再生手段と同様であるが、検出器７にて
検出される光がより小さい場合に情報の記録があるもの
として情報の読み取りを行うことが可能となる。このた
め、記録情報がディジタルである場合には、記録光と同
一波長の光によって再生を行う場合に対して、再生信号
の論理は逆になる。The above is a case where recording and reproduction are performed at the same wavelength. However, if the characteristics of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 4 are used to increase absorption in other wavelength ranges during recording, this wavelength It is also possible to play within the area. In this case, it is effective to use a laser that can simultaneously emit light of two wavelengths for recording and reproduction as a light source, or to spatially overlap the two laser beams via a beam splitter. Although it is similar to the above-mentioned reproducing means, when the light detected by the detector 7 is smaller, it becomes possible to read the information assuming that the information is recorded. Therefore, when the recorded information is digital, the logic of the reproduction signal is opposite to that when reproduction is performed using light of the same wavelength as the recording light.
【００１５】このように記録と再生とを別の波長で行う
場合には、再生光により記録媒体が逆反応を起こさない
ような安定な材料を用いれば、再生光の強度を高めるこ
とができ、Ｓ／Ｎ比を改善することが可能となる。そし
て、再生光により光記録の破壊が起こらない記録媒体の
場合、すなわち記録により生じた吸収帯の波長の光を照
射しても逆反応が起こらない材料である場合には、より
強い光を照射することによりＳ／Ｎ比の優れた信号を再
生することが可能となる。このための再生装置の構成例
の概略を示したのが図５である。[0015] When recording and reproducing are performed at different wavelengths as described above, the intensity of the reproducing light can be increased by using a stable material that does not cause a reverse reaction in the recording medium due to the reproducing light. It becomes possible to improve the S/N ratio. In the case of a recording medium in which optical recording will not be destroyed by the reproduction light, that is, if the material is a material that does not cause a reverse reaction even when irradiated with light of the wavelength of the absorption band generated by recording, a stronger light is irradiated. By doing so, it becomes possible to reproduce a signal with an excellent S/N ratio. FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the configuration of a playback device for this purpose.
【００１６】図５において、光記録媒体６は媒体の支持
体としてのプリズム５０上に形成され、プリズム５０の
入射面５０ａ を通してレーザ照射手段２０からの光が
プリズム５０の上部の記録媒体層の表面にて全反射する
ように照射される。このとき、記録媒体層６付近にはエ
バネセント波が生じ、この強度は光記録媒体における情
報記録の有無により変化する。従って、この強度変化を
再生ヘッド４０及び検出器７０を介して検出することに
より、記録された情報の再生が可能となる。ここで、プ
リズム５０の入射面５０ａ はレーザ光源１からの照射
光が垂直に入射するような角度に形成され、記録媒体で
全反射された光が射出する射出面５０ｂ も、反射光に
対して垂直となるように構成されることが望ましい。そ
して、再生用ヘッド４０はその先端の微小開口４０ａ
が記録媒体６上を近接場領域の接近した状態にて走査さ
せるようなｘｙスキャナ１００ を有し、再生ヘッド４
０により受容された光は検出器７０により検出され、信
号処理手段８０により記録情報の再生が行われる。そし
て、ｘｙスキャナ１００ の駆動手段９０及び信号処理
手段８０は、記録再生制御手段１１０ により適宜制御
されることは、図１に示した装置と同様である。In FIG. 5, an optical recording medium 6 is formed on a prism 50 as a support for the medium, and light from the laser irradiation means 20 passes through an incident surface 50a of the prism 50 onto the surface of the recording medium layer above the prism 50. The beam is irradiated with total internal reflection. At this time, an evanescent wave is generated near the recording medium layer 6, and the intensity of this wave changes depending on whether information is recorded on the optical recording medium. Therefore, by detecting this intensity change via the reproducing head 40 and the detector 70, recorded information can be reproduced. Here, the entrance surface 50a of the prism 50 is formed at an angle such that the irradiation light from the laser light source 1 enters perpendicularly, and the exit surface 50b from which the light totally reflected by the recording medium exits is also formed with respect to the reflected light. It is preferable to configure it vertically. The reproduction head 40 has a minute opening 40a at its tip.
has an xy scanner 100 that scans the recording medium 6 in a near field area, and the reproducing head 4
The light received by 0 is detected by the detector 70, and the recorded information is reproduced by the signal processing means 80. The driving means 90 and signal processing means 80 of the xy scanner 100 are appropriately controlled by the recording and reproducing control means 110, as in the apparatus shown in FIG.
【００１７】この構成において、微小開口４ａは例えば
光ファイバーや光導波路の先端に形成して、再生ヘッド
とすれば、微小開口を通り抜けたエバネセント波を減衰
させることなく効率良く検出器７に導くことができるた
め、Ｓ／Ｎ比を大きくすることが可能である。ところで
、記録媒体上の情報が媒体の屈折率の変化として記録さ
れている場合にも同様に記録情報の再生が可能である。
いま波長λの再生光に対する媒質の屈折率をｎ、照射手
段から供給される再生光の記録媒体に対する入射角をθ
とするとき、媒質からの距離ｚにおける電場Ｅは、In this configuration, if the minute aperture 4a is formed, for example, at the tip of an optical fiber or optical waveguide and used as a reproducing head, the evanescent waves passing through the minute aperture can be efficiently guided to the detector 7 without being attenuated. Therefore, it is possible to increase the S/N ratio. Incidentally, even when information on a recording medium is recorded as a change in the refractive index of the medium, the recorded information can be similarly reproduced. Let n be the refractive index of the medium for the reproduction light of wavelength λ, and let θ be the incident angle of the reproduction light supplied from the irradiation means to the recording medium.
Then, the electric field E at the distance z from the medium is
【０
０１８】0
018]
【数１】[Math 1]
【００１９】と表される。入射角θは全反射の臨界角θ
ｃ よりもわずかだけ大きくするのが望ましく、この時
には近似的に入射角の臨界角からのズレをΔθとすれば
、電場Ｅは以下のようになる。It is expressed as follows. Incident angle θ is the critical angle θ for total reflection
It is desirable to make it slightly larger than c. In this case, if the deviation of the incident angle from the critical angle is approximately Δθ, then the electric field E will be as follows.
【００２０】[0020]
【数２】[Math 2]
【００２１】従って、屈折率の変化に応じて電場の大き
さが変わり、再生ヘッドで検出される光強度の変化とし
て、記録情報を再生することが可能である。尚、本発明
における記録媒体として、光化学ホールバーニング（Ｐ
ＨＢ）を示す媒体を利用すれば、波長次元での多重記録
が可能となり、より一層高密度の光記録が可能となる。[0021] Therefore, the magnitude of the electric field changes in accordance with the change in the refractive index, and recorded information can be reproduced as a change in the light intensity detected by the reproducing head. In addition, as a recording medium in the present invention, photochemical hole burning (P
If a medium exhibiting HB) is used, multiplex recording in the wavelength dimension becomes possible, and even higher density optical recording becomes possible.
【００２２】[0022]
【発明の効果】以上のように本発明によれば、従来の記
録再生装置のごとく光の回折限界による記録密度の制限
を受けることがないため、記録密度を飛躍的に増大させ
ることが可能となる。そして、光源の短波長化やその短
波長光源に適した新たな光記録材料の開発を格別必要と
しない。また、本発明による光記録は、記録媒体上の微
小領域に変化を生ずるものであるから、表面の微細加工
プロセスも従来の光源や材料を用いて可能となるという
利点もある。[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the recording density is not limited by the diffraction limit of light as in conventional recording and reproducing devices, so it is possible to dramatically increase the recording density. Become. Furthermore, there is no particular need to shorten the wavelength of the light source or to develop a new optical recording material suitable for the short wavelength light source. Further, since the optical recording according to the present invention causes changes in a minute area on a recording medium, it also has the advantage that surface microfabrication processes can be performed using conventional light sources and materials.
【図１】本発明による記録再生装置の概略構成図。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
【図２】本発明による記録・再生ヘッドの先端部の図。FIG. 2 is a diagram of the tip of the recording/reproducing head according to the present invention.
【図３】開口からの距離による電場強度の変化を示すグ
ラフ。FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in electric field strength depending on distance from the aperture.
【図４】フォトクロミック材料フルギド８Ｅの吸収スペ
クトルの変化を示すグラフ。FIG. 4 is a graph showing changes in the absorption spectrum of the photochromic material Fulgide 8E.
【図５】本発明による記録再生装置の他の実施例を示す
概略構成図。FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
１…光源 ４…記録再生ヘッド ４ａ…微小開口 ６…記録媒体 1...Light source 4... Recording/playback head 4a...Minute opening 6...Recording medium
Claims (7)
べて十分小さな開口を先端部に有するヘッドと、該ヘッ
ドに前記光源からの光束を集光する光学系とを有し、前
記ヘッドを該ヘッド先端部の微小開口を通過する光電場
の近接場領域において光記録媒体に対して相対的に走査
するための走査手段とを有し、前記ヘッド先端部の微小
開口を通過する光電場により前記光記録媒体に対して所
定の情報を記録すると共に、前記光記録媒体上に記録さ
れた情報を再生するための再生手段を具備することを特
徴とする光記録再生装置。1. A light source that supplies light of a predetermined wavelength; a head that has an aperture at its tip that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength; and an optical system that focuses a light beam from the light source on the head; scanning means for scanning the head relative to the optical recording medium in a near-field region of an optical electric field passing through the minute aperture at the tip of the head; What is claimed is: 1. An optical recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising: a reproducing means for recording predetermined information on the optical recording medium and reproducing the information recorded on the optical recording medium.
開口を先端部に有する再生用ヘッドと、前記記録媒体に
対して前記ヘッドと反対側に配置された光検出器とを有
し、該光検出器により前記記録媒体を透過する光の強度
変化を検出することを特徴とする請求項１記載の光記録
再生装置。2. The reproducing means includes a reproducing head having an aperture sufficiently small compared to the wavelength at its tip, and a photodetector disposed on the opposite side of the head with respect to the recording medium, 2. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector detects a change in intensity of light transmitted through the recording medium.
兼用し、前記記録用波長と同一波長の光を用いて再生す
ることを特徴とする請求項２記載の光記録再生装置。3. The optical recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reproducing head also serves as the recording head and performs reproduction using light having the same wavelength as the recording wavelength.
兼用し、前記記録用波長と異なる波長の光を用いて再生
することを特徴とする請求項２記載の光記録再生装置。4. The optical recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reproducing head also serves as the recording head and performs reproduction using light having a wavelength different from the recording wavelength.
ら所定の波長光を照射し該記録媒体の表面にて全反射さ
せる光照射手段と、該照射光の波長に比べて十分小さな
開口を先端部に有する再生用ヘッドと、前記ヘッドによ
り受容された光を検出する光検出器とを有し、該光検出
器により前記記録媒体の表面で生ずるエバネセント波の
強度変化を検出することを特徴とする請求項１記載の光
記録再生装置。5. The reproduction means includes a light irradiation means that irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength from the back surface of the optical recording medium and totally reflects it on the surface of the recording medium, and an aperture that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of the irradiated light. A reproducing head having a reproducing head at a tip thereof, and a photodetector for detecting light received by the head, the photodetector detecting an intensity change of an evanescent wave generated on the surface of the recording medium. The optical recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:
兼用し、前記光照射手段は前記記録用波長光と同一波長
の光を照射することを特徴とする請求項５記載の項記録
再生装置。6. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reproducing head also serves as the recording head, and the light irradiation means irradiates light having the same wavelength as the recording wavelength light. Device.
兼用し、前記光照射手段は前記記録用波長光と異なる波
長の光を照射することを特徴とする請求項５記載の項記
録再生装置。7. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reproducing head also serves as the recording head, and the light irradiation means irradiates light of a wavelength different from the recording wavelength light. Device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3147478A JPH04370536A (en) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-06-19 | Optical recording/reproducing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3147478A JPH04370536A (en) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-06-19 | Optical recording/reproducing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH04370536A true JPH04370536A (en) | 1992-12-22 |
Family
ID=15431303
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3147478A Pending JPH04370536A (en) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-06-19 | Optical recording/reproducing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH04370536A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH08248641A (en) * | 1995-03-13 | 1996-09-27 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Laser lithographic equipment |
| JP2001523876A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 2001-11-27 | ポラロイド コーポレイション | Optical recording system and medium with integrated near-field optics |
| JP2002197652A (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-07-12 | Korea Electronics Telecommun | High-density information recording and reproducing device |
| US7489617B2 (en) | 1998-11-27 | 2009-02-10 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Optical head and optical head device |
-
1991
- 1991-06-19 JP JP3147478A patent/JPH04370536A/en active Pending
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH08248641A (en) * | 1995-03-13 | 1996-09-27 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Laser lithographic equipment |
| JP2001523876A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 2001-11-27 | ポラロイド コーポレイション | Optical recording system and medium with integrated near-field optics |
| US7489617B2 (en) | 1998-11-27 | 2009-02-10 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Optical head and optical head device |
| JP2002197652A (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-07-12 | Korea Electronics Telecommun | High-density information recording and reproducing device |
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