Abstract: A near-field light detection element is provided with a light source, a conductive scatterer for generating near-field light by being irradiated with light from the light source, and a photoelectric conversion element arranged in a near-field light generation region near the scatterer. The scatterer irradiates near-field light to a recording medium, and the near-field light detection element detects an intensity change of the near-field light generated by a change of the dielectric constant of the recording medium based on an electrical conductivity change of the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: A search method of efficiently retrieving information is provided. A search light 21 is generated from a search condition (S1). The search light is irradiated onto a hologram 104a recorded in a hologram recording layer 104 (S2). When the search light interferes with the hologram and a reproduction light is generated, address information of the hologram from which the reproduction light is generated is identified using an address light 23 that reads the address information. The identified address light is recorded (S3). When the search light does not generate the reproduction light from the hologram, the search light is irradiated onto another hologram 104b recorded in the hologram recording layer.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer with features in a discrete track configuration or a bit patterned configuration and an underlayer adjacent the magnetic layer, the underlayer comprising a material capable of forming surface plasmon resonance; and a magnetic head having: a writer for writing to the medium; and a near-field transducer for heating the medium for thermally assisted recording. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an optical data recording medium including a plurality of data recording layers each having a user data recording region and a BCA formation region positioned at an inner position than the data recording region. The method includes: forming a first data recording layer out of the plurality of data recording layers on a first substrate; forming a second data recording layer out of the plurality of data recording layers on a second substrate; forming a BCA pattern within the BCA formation region of the second data recording layer to record burst cut data; and bonding the first and second substrates after the BCA pattern is formed.

Abstract: An optical near-field generating device is provided. The optical near-field generating device includes: a light source; a light transmissive substrate; and a conductive scatterer irradiated with light from the light source to generate an optical near-field. The scatterer is formed across planes with different heights on the light transmissive substrate and includes a first area formed on a surface closest to an object to which the optical near-field is applied and a second area formed on a surface distant from the object as compared with the first area. The optical near-field is generated from the first area of the scatterer toward the object.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes an optical disk body including a light-transmitting substrate, a recording layer provided on a main surface of the light-transmitting substrate over a region in which pre-grooves are formed and a portion of a region in which dummy grooves are formed, and a reflecting layer provided over the recording layer and a region of the light-transmitting substrate in which the recording layer is not provided; and an ink receiving layer provided on the label surface side of the optical disc body. The dummy grooves provided in at least a portion of the region in which the dye material is not applied have a pitch larger than that of the pre-grooves, are shallower than that of the pre-grooves, or have half-width less than that of the pre-grooves.

Abstract: An optical device includes a clad composed of a material having a first refractive index, a core which is embedded in the clad, composed of a material having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, and tapers toward the end-point thereof, and a light-transmitting layer which is composed of a material different from the material having the second refractive index and cuts across an optical path at the end-point thereof.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium (1) comprising a dye-based recording layer is described. It has substantially parallel tracks for recording user information in a pattern of optically detectable marks, the tracks being provided with a guide groove, the groove being present in a user data area (3) and in an information area (2) and being trackable by a focused radiation beam (7) with the push pull method. The value of the normalized push pull signal (PPN) in the unrecorded information area is PPN-i and the value of PPN in the unrecorded user data area is PPN-u and PPN-i is lower than PPN-u. It is achieved that the information area of such an optical data storage may be read by a legacy optical data drive without causing damage to the drive. Further an apparatus for reading and a corresponding method are described.

Abstract: A media processor such as a CD publisher functions as a media library. The CD publisher takes out media from a media storage unit, sets the media in a media drive, performs writing of data, and stores the media in a writing-completed media storage unit if there is a data writing request and/or an additional data writing request. The publisher takes out the target media from the media storage unit on the basis of details stored in the storage unit and sets the media in the media drive if there is a data reference request and a data output request. Data of the media can be referenced from the outside, and media in which data writing has been completed can be used as a media library. When final additional writing is completed or there is a discharge command of the media, printing of a label related to data written on a label surface of the media is collectively performed, and then the media is discharged.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a main-information area in which a metal reflection film is formed on a substrate where a row of pits is formed as main data, and a sub-information area in which is recorded medium identification information, which is used to identify the optical recording medium individually, by removing the metal reflection film partially and forming a plurality of reflection-film removed areas. Information is reproduced by irradiating the metal reflection film with a beam of light. In the sub-information area, a row of pits or a guide groove is formed on the substrate, and a track pitch of the row of pits or the guide groove is at least 0.24 ?m wide and at most 0.45 ?m wide.

Abstract: A disclosed optical recording medium includes multiple recording layer units in each of which one or more recording layers and one or more middle layers are stacked alternately; and one or more spacer layers. In the disclosed optical recording medium, the recording layer units and the spacer layers are stacked alternately in a depth direction of the optical recording medium.