Abstract: Near-field optical apparatus according to the invention contains a novel semiconductor laser photon source. The source is capable of providing substantially higher photon flux than prior art near field sources, potentially facilitating read-out rates in the megahertz range in exemplary near-field data storage and retrieval apparatus. The novel source comprises a non-uniform laser emission face, with the emission face configured such that at least 50% of the total radiation emission is from a small (first) region of the emission face, of width less than .lambda..sub.s /2, where .lambda..sub.s is the emission wavelength of the laser. In an exemplary embodiment, a multilayer coating is provided on the emission face, such that radiation emission from the face is relatively low. A recess is formed in the coating such that substantial radiation emission from the recess occurs. The recess constitutes the first region.