Abstract: A near-field optical head which can be manufactured using a silicon process and illuminate and detect sufficient light from a very small aperture at all times in a state of stably proximate to a media. The near-field optical head (3000) is structured by a very small aperture (3008) formed at an apex of a taper, a light introducing part (3002) for propagating light in a direction generally parallel with a media, and a light reflection layer (3001) for reflecting the light propagated through the light introducing part (3002) toward the very small aperture (3008). Furthermore, a focusing function is structurally provided for illuminating the light focused on the very small aperture (3008).

Abstract: A near-field optical head has a planar substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, and an inverted pyramidal hole extending through the first and second surfaces. The inverted pyramidal hole has at least one fine aperture formed at an apex thereof and disposed in the first surface and having at least one curved slant surface. An optical waveguide extends into the inverted pyramidal hole of the planar substrate for propagating light along an optical path. A mirror is disposed in the optical waveguide for bending in the direction of the fine aperture the optical path of the light propagated through the optical waveguide.

Abstract: To provide an electroforming mold for manufacturing a multi-step structure minute component and a method for manufacturing the same, for which height control is possible and manufacturing process does not become complicated. On the upper face of a film of an electroconductive layer 2 formed on the upper face of a substrate 1, a resist 3 is formed in which a first soluble portion 3b and a first insoluble portion 3a are formed. Next, a light-absorbing body 10 is formed on the upper face of the resist, exposure and development are carried out, in addition a film of an electroconductive layer 2 is formed on the upper face thereof, and a light-absorbing body 10 and an electroconductive layer 5 on the upper face of the light-absorbing body 10 are removed by liftoff. Further, a resist is formed on the upper face thereof, in which a second soluble portion 6b and a second insoluble portion 6a are formed.

Abstract: An electroforming mold has a first negative type photosensitive material formed on an electroconductive substrate, and a first through-hole extends through the firs photosensitive material to expose the electroconductive substrate. An electroconductive layer formed on an upper face of the first photosensitive material surrounds the first through-hole. A second negative type photosensitive material formed on an upper face of the electroconductive layer has a second through-hole that overlies and exposes both the first through-hole and a peripheral part of the electroconductive layer that surrounds the first through-hole. Because the electroconductive substrate and the electroconductive layer are separated from one another, the first and second through-holes precipitate an electroformed object independently during use of the electroforming mold resulting in a uniform electroformed object.

Abstract: A near-field optical head has a planar substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, and an inverted conical or pyramidal hole extending through the first and second surfaces. The inverted conical or pyramidal hole has at least one fine aperture formed at an apex thereof and disposed in the first surface and having at least one curved slant surface. An optical waveguide extends into the inverted conical or pyramidal hole of the planar substrate for propagating light along an optical path. A mirror is disposed in the optical waveguide for bending in the direction of the fine aperture the optical path of the light propagated through the optical waveguide.

Abstract: To provide an electroforming mold for manufacturing a multi-step structure minute component and a method for manufacturing the same, for which height control is possible and manufacturing process does not become complicated. On the upper face of a film of an electroconductive layer 2 formed on the upper face of a substrate 1, a resist 3 is formed in which a first soluble portion 3b and a first insoluble portion 3a are formed. Next, a light-absorbing body 10 is formed on the upper face of the resist, exposure and development are carried out, in addition a film of an electroconductive layer 2 is formed on the upper face thereof, and a light-absorbing body 10 and an electroconductive layer 5 on the upper face of the light-absorbing body 10 are removed by liftoff. Further, a resist is formed on the upper face thereof, in which a second soluble portion 6b and a second insoluble portion 6a are formed.

Abstract: A near-field optical head has a planar substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, and an inverted conical or pyramidal hole extending through the first and second surfaces. The conical or pyramidal hole has at least one fine aperture formed at an apex thereof and is disposed on the first surface of the planar substrate. An optical waveguide is disposed on the second surface of the planar substrate for propagating light. A light reflection film is disposed in the optical waveguide for reflecting in the direction of the fine aperture light propagated through the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever for a scanning near field microscope comprises a support section, a cantilever-shaped optical waveguide, and a light blocking wall. The optical waveguide has a free end, a fixed end fixed to the support section and terminating in a light input/output end, and a tip formed at a side of the free end of the cantilever and having a microscopic aperture at an end thereof. The light blocking wall blocks the transmission of light scattered from a region of the light input/output end in the direction of the tip of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A near-field optical head has a main surface confronting a recording medium during use of the near-field optical head. A sharpened tip is disposed on the main surface and has an optical aperture at a front end thereof. An opaque film covers the sharpened tip and has a plastically deformed portion in the vicinity of the optical aperture. The front end of the sharpened tip projects from the plastically deformed portion of the opaque film. At least one stopper is disposed in the vicinity of the sharpened tip and has a height substantially equal to a height of the sharpened tip. At least one air-bearing surface is disposed on the main surface.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever capable of reducing loss when propagating light. An optical microcantilever 10 comprises a support 1, an optical waveguide 2, a light-blocking film 3, a reflecting film 4, a pointed tip 5, a microscopic aperture 6 formed at the end of the tip 5, and a mirror 7 for reflecting propagating light H propagated from a light input/output end 8 of the optical waveguide 2 towards the microscopic aperture 6.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mirror having high verticality and less surface roughness, comprising forming a mask material to the surface of a silicon substrate, applying anisotropic dry etching and anisotropic wet etching, thereby anisotropically dry etching the surface substantially parallel with the crystal face in perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and then forming a reflection surface by the anisotropic wet etching step.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever capable of reducing loss when propagating light. An optical microcantilever 10 comprises a support 1, an optical waveguide 2, a light-blocking film 3, a reflecting film 4, a pointed tip 5, a microscopic aperture 6 formed at the end of the tip 5, and a mirror 7 for reflecting propagating light H propagated from a light input/output end 8 of the optical waveguide 2 towards the microscopic aperture 6.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever capable of reducing loss when propagating light. An optical microcantilever 10 comprises a support 1, an optical waveguide 2, a light-blocking film 3, a reflecting film 4, a pointed tip 5, a microscopic aperture 6 formed at the end of the tip 5, and a mirror 7 for reflecting propagating light H propagated from a light input/output end 8 of the optical waveguide 2 towards the microscopic aperture 6.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever for a scanning near field microscope has an optical waveguide for propagating light. The optical waveguide has a longitudinal axis, a light input/output end, a free end opposite to the light input/output end, and a tip formed at the free end of the cantilever and having a microscopic aperture at an end thereof. A support section has a first portion supporting the optical waveguide, a second portion and a third portion. The second portion has an optical element guide channel formed in the support section for supporting an optical element acting on light entering the optical waveguide or on light exiting from the optical waveguide and for determining a position of the optical element. The third portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and has a surface disposed at an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A battery pack has a secondary battery connected to a plus side terminal. A protective circuit protects the secondary battery from overcharge and over-discharge. A calculation circuit operates with a minus side terminal as a reference for calculating a remaining capacity of the secondary battery. An N-channel MOS transistor is connected between the secondary battery and the minus terminal for controlling charge and discharge of the secondary battery in accordance with a signal from the protective circuit. A level shifter circuit is connected between the calculation circuit and a communication terminal.

Abstract: To provide an electroforming mold for manufacturing a multi-step structure minute component and a method for manufacturing the same, for which height control is possible and manufacturing process does not become complicated. On the upper face of a film of an electroconductive layer 2 formed on the upper face of a substrate 1, a resist 3 is formed in which a first soluble portion 3b and a first insoluble portion 3a are formed. Next, a light-absorbing body 10 is formed on the upper face of the resist, exposure and development are carried out, in addition a film of an electroconductive layer 2 is formed on the upper face thereof, and a light-absorbing body 10 and an electroconductive layer 5 on the upper face of the light-absorbing body 10 are removed by liftoff. Further, a resist is formed on the upper face thereof, in which a second soluble portion 6b and a second insoluble portion 6a are formed.

Abstract: An insulated gate transistor has a semiconductor thin film having a first main surface and a second main surface, a first gate insulating film formed on the first main surface of the semiconductor thin film, a first conductive gate formed on the first gate insulating film, first and second confronting semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type insulated from the first conductive gate and disposed in contact with the semiconductor thin film, and a third semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type disposed in contact with the semiconductor thin film. A gate threshold voltage of the first conductive gate is controlled by a forward bias of the third semiconductor region with respect to one of the first and second semiconductor regions.

Abstract: In a method of producing an optical aperture, there is provided an object having a substrate, at least one conical- or pyramidal-shaped tip disposed on the substrate, at least one stopper disposed on the substrate in the vicinity of the tip and having a height substantially equal to a height of the tip, and an opaque film disposed at least on the tip. A pressing body is disposed relative to the object so that a surface of the pressing body is disposed over the tip and at least a portion of the stopper. The pressing body is then displaced to bring the surface of the pressing body into contact with the object so that a force component is directed to a front end of the tip to form an optical aperture at the front end of the tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an optical aperture comprises an object having a tip with a pointed end. Stoppers are disposed adjacent the tip. A pressing body applies a loading force to press the pointed end of the tip and at least a part of each of the stoppers to form an optical aperture at the pointed end of the tip. A load controller controls the loading force applied by the loader.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever capable of reducing loss when propagating light. An optical microcantilever 10 comprises a support 1, an optical waveguide 2, a light-blocking film 3, a reflecting film 4, a pointed tip 5, a microscopic aperture 6 formed at the end of the tip 5, and a mirror 7 for reflecting propagating light H propagated from a light input/output end 8 of the optical waveguide 2 towards the microscopic aperture 6.