Abstract: A luminous flux including laser light of different wavelengths outgoing from a light source unit is split into two luminous fluxes, the first luminous flux is focused on a sample with an objective lens, and the second luminous flux functions as reference light without radiating it onto the sample. Signal light reflected from the sample and the reference light are multiplexed by a polarized beam splitter and are made to interfere on four photodetectors out of phase in a photodetection unit. A signal processing unit acquires the optical axis distribution of an object in the sample by using the outputs of the plural photodetectors for every input wavelength, acquiring a detection signal and calculating the ratio of intensities of the detection signals at the different input wavelengths for every position in the sample.

Abstract: There is provided an optical tomographic observation device which has a resolving power which is higher than those of a conventional optical tomographic observation device and a confocal microscope by a simple configuration by applying a homodyne phase diversity detection technology and designing so as to satisfy the following formula when ? is a wavelength of a laser light source, ?? is a wavelength half width at half maximum, NA is a numerical aperture of an objective optical element, S is an effective area of a photodetector, and M is a detection magnification of a detection surface relative to a condensing surface. 1 NA 2 ? k 1 0.886 ? ? ?? ? ( NA ? 1 - NA 2 ) ? 0.901 ? S M 2 0.441 ? k 1 ? 0.

Abstract: A beam emitted from a light source is split into a probe beam that irradiates a measurement object and a reference beam that does not irradiate the measurement object. A signal beam obtained by the reflection of the probe beam is split into first and second split signal beams, which are mutually orthogonal polarized components. The first split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a first coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The second split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a second coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The coherence beams are then detected.

Abstract: There is provided an optical tomographic observation device which has a resolving power which is higher than those of a conventional optical tomographic observation device and a confocal microscope by a simple configuration by applying a homodyne phase diversity detection technology and designing so as to satisfy the following formula when ? is a wavelength of a laser light source, ?? is a wavelength half width at half maximum, NA is a numerical aperture of an objective optical element, S is an effective area of a photodetector, and M is a detection magnification of a detection surface relative to a condensing surface. 1 NA 2 ? k 1 0.886 ? ? ?? ? ( NA ? 1 - NA 2 ) ? 0.901 ? S M 2 0.441 ? k 1 ? 0.

Abstract: A HAMR head includes an anti-reflecting (AR) coating on a side opposite (e.g., a flex side) of the air bearing surface (ABS). The anti-reflective coating may include one or more anti-reflective layers. The anti-reflective coating reduces the amount of light reflected back towards a light source unit. A shading layer may be disposed on the anti-reflective coating and may function as a contact electrode as well as reducing stray light escaping from the laser, thus reducing the amount of stray light reaching the ABS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes an anti-reflecting (AR) coating on a side opposite (e.g., a flex side) of the air bearing surface (ABS). The anti-reflective coating may include one or more anti-reflective layers. The anti-reflective coating reduces the amount of light reflected back towards a light source unit. A shading layer may be disposed on the anti-reflective coating and may function as a contact electrode as well as reducing stray light escaping from the laser, thus reducing the amount of stray light reaching the ABS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes an anti-reflecting (AR) coating on a side opposite (e.g., a flex side) of the air bearing surface (ABS). The anti-reflective coating may include one or more anti-reflective layers. The anti-reflective coating reduces the amount of light reflected back towards a light source unit. A shading layer may be disposed on the anti-reflective coating and may function as a contact electrode as well as reducing stray light escaping from the laser, thus reducing the amount of stray light reaching the ABS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a HAMR head. The HAMR head includes an anti-reflecting (AR) coating on a side opposite (e.g., a flex side) of the air bearing surface (ABS). The anti-reflective coating may include one or more anti-reflective layers. The anti-reflective coating reduces the amount of light reflected back towards a light source unit. A shading layer may be disposed on the anti-reflective coating and may function as a contact electrode as well as reducing stray light escaping from the laser, thus reducing the amount of stray light reaching the ABS.

Abstract: A luminous flux including laser light of different wavelengths outgoing from a light source unit is split into two luminous fluxes, the first luminous flux is focused on a sample with an objective lens, and the second luminous flux functions as reference light without radiating it onto the sample. Signal light reflected from the sample and the reference light are multiplexed by a polarized beam splitter and are made to interfere on four photodetectors out of phase in a photodetection unit. A signal processing unit acquires the optical axis distribution of an object of examination in the sample by operating using the outputs of the plural photodetectors for input every wavelength, acquiring a detection signal and calculating the ratio of detection signals of different wavelengths every position in the sample.

Abstract: A beam emitted from a light source is split into a probe beam that irradiates a measurement object and a reference beam that does not irradiate the measurement object. A signal beam obtained by the reflection of the probe beam is split into first and second split signal beams, which are mutually orthogonal polarized components. The first split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a first coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The second split signal beam and the reference beam are inputted to a second coherence optical system to cause the beams to interfere with each other to generate at least three coherence beams differing in phasic relationship. The coherence beams are then detected.

Abstract: The wavelength is monitored using a spectrum analyzer in a state where a semiconductor laser is being driven while changing the light-emitting time of the semiconductor laser. When the internal temperature of the semiconductor laser estimated from a measured wavelength falls out of a preset temperature range, a gimbal assembly is identified as a defective product.

Abstract: Grating grooves of a predetermined shape are filled with a polymerizable liquid crystal, and thereafter, the polymerizable liquid crystal is cured to form a striped structure including a uniaxial polymer liquid crystal having an alignment orientation identical to the longitudinal direction of the grating grooves, without using a liquid crystal alignment film. Consequently, it is possible to stably and effectively align the polymer liquid crystal without using an alignment film and to adjust the film thickness easily, whereby a polarization splitting element exhibiting a high and uniform split efficiently can be obtained stably.

Abstract: An information reproducing method using PRML technology which provides asymmetry compensation and also assures media interchangeability. To compensate for asymmetry, target levels are basically adapted to readout signals and either restriction type (1) (time reversal and level reversal symmetry) or restriction type (2) (time reversal symmetry) is imposed between target levels. As a consequence, asymmetry compensation is made regardless of a readout signal distortion such as mark shift which might deteriorate media interchangeability.

Abstract: An information recording medium capable of displaying multiple labels and a storing case for the information recording medium are provided. The multiple labels are displayed by changing the labels to be displayed while selectively selecting information layers in a multi information recording medium. The medium has a function to receive either voltage or current, and the information layers selectively receive either voltage or current for changing the labels.

Abstract: A combined aspherical lens has an aspherical shape with an intermediate substrate thickness between the substrate thicknesses of a BD and an HD in a numerical aperture (NA) range for the HD, and an aspherical shape dedicated to the BD in an NA range for the BD only. The lens is designed such that wave aberration occurring through the NA range for the HD for BD reproduction has the same aberration form as but has an opposite sign to wave aberration occurring through this range for HD reproduction. Further, in the NA range for the HD, a pattern of annular transparent electrodes is optimized for a spherical aberration wavefront defocused to minimize the maximum inclination of the wave aberration. A phase shift applied is within plus or minus half wave excluding an integer wavelength of aberration.

Abstract: Two optical discs used with a laser light having the same wavelength but having different substrate thicknesses can be handled by a single optical disc apparatus and a multilayer optical disc can also be reproduced. A refractive lens unit and liquid crystal elements are provided so as to condense laser light on an optical disc having a thin substrate thickness with a first NA and to condense laser light on an optical disc having a thick substrate thickness with a second NA smaller than the first NA. The refractive lens unit is designed such that the amount of RMS wavefront aberration is minimized with respect to an intermediate substrate thickness between the two optical discs in the range of the second NA; and the RMS wavefront aberration is 0.05? or less with respect to the substrate thickness of the optical disc in an area outside the second NA. A liquid crystal element for compatibility corrects spherical aberration due to the difference in substrate thickness between the two optical discs.

Abstract: An information reproducing method using PRML technology which provides asymmetry compensation and also assures media interchangeability. To compensate for asymmetry, target levels are basically adapted to readout signals and either restriction type (1) (time reversal and level reversal symmetry) or restriction type (2) (time reversal symmetry) is imposed between target levels. As a consequence, asymmetry compensation is made regardless of a readout signal distortion such as mark shift which might deteriorate media interchangeability.

Abstract: An information reproducing method using PRML technology which provides asymmetry compensation and also assures media interchangeability. To compensate for asymmetry, target levels are basically adapted to readout signals and either restriction type (1) (time reversal and level reversal symmetry) or restriction type (2) (time reversal symmetry) is imposed between target levels. As a consequence, asymmetry compensation is made regardless of a readout signal distortion such as mark shift which might deteriorate media interchangeability.

Abstract: An information recording medium capable of displaying multiple labels and a storing case for the information recording medium are provided. The multiple labels are displayed by changing the labels to be displayed while selectively selecting information layers in a multi information recording medium. The medium has a function to receive either voltage or current, and the information layers selectively receive either voltage or current for changing the labels.

Abstract: High-speed and high-density recording of a layer-selected optical disc are enabled with a small number of electrodes. A plurality of recording films that are independently selectable are disposed between a pair of electrodes 3 and 8. The recording films are controlled individually in terms of a threshold of voltage required for coloration and electric characteristics. A desired layer can be selected by changing the voltage applied between the pair of electrodes.