Abstract: An optical head for performing optical data operations relative to a medium includes a slider body and at least one lens. Positioned between the slider body and the lens is an aperture stop for blocking the transmittance of light. The aperture stop includes an opaque layer that circumscribes a transparent region.

Abstract: An optical data storage system includes an optical disc and an armature adjacent the disc. An optical transducer mounted on the arm provides an optical beam output directed parallel to the plane of the disc. An optical actuator mounted on the arm and positioned in the optical beam adjusts the direction of the optical beam and a mirror is positioned to direct the optical beam in a direction perpendicular to the disc and toward the disc. An optical head is positioned at a distal end of the arm and is adapted to couple the optical beam to the optical disc. An arm actuator is coupled to the arm to move the arm relative to the disc and provide coarse positioning of the optical head relative to tracks on the disc. The optical actuator provides fine adjustment of the optical beam between tracks on the disc which are proximate the optical head due to the coarse adjustment by the arm actuator.