Abstract: An optical pickup includes a light source, a light converging portion for converging a light emitted from the light source on the recording surface of an optical disk, a signal detecting portion for detecting a light reflected by the recording surface and converting this light into a specified electric signal, a first optical element, which is arranged between the light source and the light converging portion for forming a plurality of diffracted lights from the light emitted from the light source, and a second optical element, which is arranged between the light source and the light converging portion and in which an optical path for the light reflected by the recording surface of the optical disk and an optical path for the emitted light are different from each other.

Abstract: A floating-type optical head includes a floating slider for floating over a medium as a result of an airflow generated on the recording surface of the medium, an optical device including at least a light condensing unit for condensing a light beam, and a support unit to which the optical device is attached. The support unit elastically supports the optical device relative to the floating slider such that the optical device is movable in at least a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the recording surface of the medium. The optical device floats together with the floating slider over the medium. The floating slider has a through-hole formed in its center, and the support unit supports the optical device movably in the through-hole. The support unit includes an elastic element connecting the floating slider and the optical device.

Abstract: An optical integration element of the invention comprises a substrate possessing a light emitting element for emitting light, and a receiving sensor for receiving reflected light, an incident part composed of an optical transparent material for receiving the light from the light emitting element, a first reflecting part for reflecting the light entering from the incident part, a second reflecting part for reflecting by converting the light from the first reflecting part into nearly parallel light or convergent light, a condensing part for condensing the light from the second reflecting part, and an optical member forming an optical path transforming part for guiding the reflected light into the receiving sensor.

Abstract: An optical integration element of the invention comprises a substrate possessing a light emitting element for emitting light, and a receiving sensor for receiving reflected light, an incident part composed of an optical transparent material for receiving the light from the light emitting element, a first reflecting part for reflecting the light entering from the incident part, a second reflecting part for reflecting by converting the light from the first reflecting part into nearly parallel light or convergent light, a condensing part for condensing the light from the second reflecting part, and an optical member forming an optical path transforming part for guiding the reflected light into the receiving sensor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a floating-type optical head comprising a separated slider and an optical device, wherein at least either the optical device or the slider is moved thereby performing at least either tracking or focusing.

Abstract: A method of loading a negative pressure type magnetic head with respect to a magnetic recording medium. For loading the magnetic head is brought close to the medium to float above a surface of the medium so as to satisfy the following conditions when reaching a region of air flow occurring due to rotation of said magnetic recording medium.+0.1.degree..ltoreq..theta..sub.P .ltoreq.+1.8.degree.-1.2.degree..ltoreq..theta..sub.R .ltoreq.+1.2.degree.VL.ltoreq.100 [mm/sec]where .theta..sub.P represents a pitching angle of the magnetic head, .theta..sub.R designates a rolling angle of said magnetic head, and VL denotes a speed of the magnetic head taken when being brought close to the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus equipped with a negative pressure type slider having a magnetic head and being fixedly secured to a flexible member so as to be floatable with respect to the magnetic disk and bendable toward the magnetic disk by a pressing member. The apparatus moves the flexible member up to a position where the slider is above a predetermined track of the magnetic disk and successively presses the flexible member through the pressing member so that the magnetic head gradually moves toward the magnetic disk. At the same time, the apparatus successively reproduces an information signal from the predetermined track of the magnetic disk through the magnetic head so that the magnitude of the information signal reproduced is successively compared with a predetermined value corresponding to a predetermined distance between the magnetic head and the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A method of loading a magnetic head for the purpose of floating the magnetic head on a rotating magnetic recording medium, in which the magnetic head is brought close to a magnetic recording medium from a venting end section of an air flow area in order to obviate the area in which contact between the magnetic recording medium and the magnetic head is prevented and the magnetic head is made to float on the magnetic recording medium.