Abstract: A wedge data writer writes wedge data, including track identification information, that are spatially-aligned along the radial direction of an optical disk. The wedge data are written at the beginning of a wedge when at least one radial groove or pit molded into the disk is detected.

Abstract: Techniques and medium structures for reducing signal distortions due to mass transfer from the medium surface to the optical head in optical storage devices in both far-field and near-field configurations. In one embodiment, a transparent capping layer is formed on a storage medium to have a sufficient thickness so that a beam spot size of an optical beam on the medium surface is sufficiently large to make a power density of the beam less than a threshold power density for mass transfer from the medium to the optical head.

Abstract: An optical recording head is provided which includes a slider body having a leading edge. A void is formed in the slider body to receive a sphere of optically transparent material. The sphere is inserted into the void such that a portion of the sphere protrudes from the slider body. The protruding portion is lapped to be coplanar with a surface of the slider body to form a near-field lens. A mesa may be formed onto the lapped portion and may include a coil. The slider body, mesa, near-field lens, and coil may be formed in one batch process.

Abstract: A system secures a cartridge inserted into a data storage device. The system includes a slidable member with a recess positioned therein; a toggle pivotably mounted in the recess, the toggle having a tip to pivot the toggle upon contacting the cartridge; and an interlock unit coupled to the slidable member and adapted to engage the toggle when the toggle pivots.

Abstract: A near-field optical system having a mechanism to determine a spacing between an optical surface and a reflective surface that are spaced by less one wavelength by using coupled radiation energy that has an evanescently-coupled portion.

Abstract: Magneto-optical storage media designed for optical storage systems such as disk drives with optical flying heads. Dielectric layers are designed and implemented to maximize optical coupling between the flying optical head and the media and to reduce variations of signals with flight height of the flying optical head.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for placing and bonding identical elements to holes in a substrate where spacer balls and a reference surface are used to achieve the desired accuracy.

Abstract: An optical position detector which has adjacent detector cells connected to each other in a zig-zag pattern offers a wider dynamic range than a detector with a vertical separation line during transition between a read laser power and a write laser power. This allows use of a fast response bi-cell in place of a slower position sensing device (PSD). The optical position detector has detector cells coupled to each other in a zig-zag pattern. Each detector cell produces a signal when a light beam is focused onto the cell to indicate a location of the light beam relative to the cell.

Abstract: An optical recording head is provided which includes a slider body having a leading edge. A void is formed in the slider body to receive a sphere of optically transparent material. The sphere is inserted into the void such that a portion of the sphere protrudes from the slider body. The protruding portion is lapped to be coplanar with a surface of the slider body to form a near-field lens. A mesa may be formed onto the lapped portion and may include a coil. The slider body, mesa, near-field lens, and coil may be formed in one batch process.

Abstract: An optical disk drive having a thermal control mechanism on the optical head to control the spacing between the optical head and the surface of the storage medium.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for placing and bonding identical elements to holes in a substrate where spacer balls and a reference surface are used to achieve the desired accuracy.

Abstract: An optical disk drive having a cleaning mechanism to clean the optical head by contact with a selected surface or in close proximity of a surface of the storage medium.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method for manufacturing an optical assembly for use in an optical flying head are provided. The optical assembly may include a solid immersion lens and a magnetic coil. Techniques are provided for fabricating the solid immersion lens and the magnetic coil. Techniques are also provided for installing the optical assembly into a slider for the optical flying head. Other embodiments are described in which a solid immersion lens is installed in or is integral with a transparent slider. A magnetic coil may also be installed in these embodiments.

Abstract: A near-field optical storage system having an optical train configured to produce a reduced beam spot size at the recording layer of an optical medium. A near-field coupling element having a substantially flat surface is implemented to provide optical coupling between the optical train and the optical medium. The flat surface is spaced from the optical medium by a fraction of the operating wavelength. An optical beam is focused beyond the flat surface in order to achieve a small spot size on the recording layer.

Abstract: There is provided a head of an optical data recording/reproducing device. The head is provided with a laser source, a deflector, a relay optical system and an objective lens system. The laser beam emitted by the laser source is incident on the objective lens system via the deflector and the relay optical system. The head is further provided with a rotation angle detecting system which includes a beam splitter provided between first and second relay lenses of the relay lens system, and a detector. The beam splitter divides the incident beam into a first beam directed to the second relay lens and a second beam directed to the detector. The detector has two light receiving areas, and a controller determines an amount of rotation of the deflector based on the amounts of light received by the two light receiving areas.

Abstract: An optical disk drive having a cleaning mechanism to clean the optical head by contact with a selected surface or in close proximity of a surface of the storage medium.

Abstract: A storage medium having a conducting path to dissipate electrostatic charge.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method for manufacturing an optical assembly for use in an optical flying head are provided. The optical assembly may include a solid immersion lens and a magnetic coil. Techniques are provided for fabricating the solid immersion lens and the magnetic coil. Techniques are also provided for installing the optical assembly into a slider for the optical flying head. Other embodiments are described in which a solid immersion lens is installed in or is integral with a transparent slider. A magnetic coil may also be installed in these embodiments.

Abstract: Optical storage systems based on air-bearing-suspended optical heads in a near-field configuration. Such a system comprises an optical head for reading and writing data and a head positioning system, an optics module including beam relay optics and signal detectors, and a medium holding and loading module to hold an optical medium. An electronic control system is also provided to control the system operation. The optical head includes a near-field lens with a high index of refraction and in a near-field configuration in which the near-field lens has a numerical aperture greater than unity when the spacing between an exit facet of the optical head and a recording layer in the optical medium is a fraction of one wavelength of optical beam.

Abstract: An apparatus opens, closes and locks a data storage device door. The apparatus includes a linkage adapted to actuate the door, the linkage having a handle with a notch and an edge; a flag having a pin mounted thereon, the pin being adapted to engage the edge when the door opens and to be seated in the notch when the door is locked; and a lever to actuate the flag.