Abstract: A near-field optical head for recording and reading-out information on and from a recording medium by utilizing near-field light produced from a very small aperture. The very small aperture is formed at an apex of a taper formed by an optical propagation member having a tip pointed toward a recording medium. A light introducing part is connected directly to the optical propagation member for propagating light along an optical path extending in a direction generally parallel to the recording medium. The optical propagation member is formed of a uniform dielectric layer in the light introducing part and inside of the taper. A light reflection layer reflects light propagated through the light introducing part toward the very small aperture.