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 recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: A near-field optical head applied for a head of an information recording/reading apparatus for realizing information recording and reading with high density recording medium at high speed and with reliability through interaction between a near-field light and a recording medium using a slider having a near-field optical probe. A slider (1) having a near-field optical probe is put into proximity to a recording medium (3). Further, a distance is reduced between a light emitting element (2) and a microscopic aperture (7). The microscopic aperture is controlled in protrusion amount from the recording medium (3) by a piezoelectric element. Due to this, the light intensity in the probe or light detecting section is increased to increase interaction with the recording medium (3). This realizes information recording and reading apparatus with high sensitivity and accuracy.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprises a read-out track having a data region forming data bits for reproduced data and a servo pattern region forming servo bits for tracking control. The servo bits have a first groove that is deep in a direction perpendicular to both a length of the read-out track and a depth of the information recording medium, and a second groove that is deep in a direction opposite to the first groove and having a depth gradually increasing along the read-out track.

Abstract: A near-field optical head has a minute structure formed in the support member for interacting with a recording medium via near-field light. An optical waveguide is provided on the support member for guiding light between a light source and the minute structure. The optical waveguide has a core, a clad and a reflective surface, the core having an end face facing the reflective surface and being spaced therefrom so that light traveling through the optical waveguide is projected from the end face of the core onto the reflective surface and is reflected by the reflective surface toward the minute structure. Information is recorded to and/or read from the recording medium based on the scattering of near-field light between the recording medium and the minute structure while the near-field optical head is positioned over the surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

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: LEDs (10) are used as a tail stop lamp (L1). A socket (21) for the LEDs (10) is provided at the left end of a socket base (20), and a lighting circuit (15) for the LEDs (10) including the socket (21) and a connector portion (25) is constructed on the socket base (20). Thus, electronic parts, such as resistors for luminance adjustment, are formed into control modules (30) by molding. Lead terminals (32) of the respective control modules (30) are formed by insulation-displacement terminals. On the other hand, insulated wires (40) are laid through mount bases (35) in a specified circuit pattern on the socket base (20). When the control modules (30) are mounted into the corresponding mount bases (35), the lead terminals (32) are pressed into connection to form the lighting circuit.

Abstract: A near-field light-generating element has a support member and a minute aperture having a size smaller than the wavelength of incident light provided on the support member so as to produce near-field light in response to incident light directed thereto. The minute aperture has a contour in a given plane with one side lying along a line perpendicular to a direction of polarization of the incident light and an opposite side in the given plane defining an apex.

Abstract: A near-field optical probe has a flat support member having opposed flat surfaces, and a tapered through-hole extends through the support member and terminates at one of the flat surfaces in a narrow aperture. A light collecting layer having a plurality of reflective surfaces is disposed on the support member for collecting and focusing light passing through the narrow aperture. An optical detector disposed above the light collecting layer detects light passing through the light collecting layer.

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: In an information recording apparatus for recording information onto a recording medium by utilizing a technology in a near-field microscope, the information recording apparatus carries out recording with reliability and density. An optical probe (1) or micro-cantilever (12) utilized in a near-field microscope is used as a recording probe (26). The recording probe (26) at its tip is heated by laser light (28) illumination or heating by an electric heating element to radiate microscopic-region thermal energy through the tip to a recording medium (3). This makes it possible to record microscopically information onto the recording medium (3) that varies in physical properties due to heating. Furthermore, thermal energy is provided to a recording position through an auxiliary heat radiating means thereby enabling recording more positively.

Abstract: An optical switch has at least first, second, and third optical fibers disposed generally parallel to each other and spaced at non-equal intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of each of the optical fibers. The optical fibers have tip portions disposed approximately along a straight line extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of each of the optical fibers. A first non-movable guiding structure guides a beam of light emitted from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber along a first optical path disposed between the tip portion of the first optical fiber and the tip portion of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention has an object, in a near-field optical probe having a microscopic aperture to generate and/or scatter a near field, to obtain a near-field optical probe easy to be made in an array which increases the intensity of a near field to be generated and/or scattered and is adapted for use as an optical memory head. This near-field optical probe is arranged with a planar lens having microscopic lens on a flat surface substrate having an inverted conical or pyramidal hole formed therethrough such that its apex is made as the microscopic aperture, wherein a light source is further arranged thereon to introduce light to the planar lens. Because the arrangement is made such that the planar lens has a focal point positioned at the microscopic aperture, the light given by the light source can be efficiently collected to the microscopic aperture. Also, the above structure can be arrayed and mass produced using a silicon process, thus being adapted for use as an optical memory head.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: The present invention has an object, in a near-field optical probe having a microscopic aperture to generate and/or scatter a near field, to obtain a near-field optical probe easy to be made in an array which increases the intensity of a near field to be generated and/or scattered and is adapted for use as an optical memory head. This near-field optical probe is arranged with a planar lens having microscopic lens on a flat surface substrate having an inverted conical or pyramidal hole formed therethrough such that its apex is made as the microscopic aperture, wherein a light source is further arranged thereon to introduce light to the planar lens. Because the arrangement is made such that the planar lens has a focal point positioned at the microscopic aperture, the light given by the light source can be efficiently collected to the microscopic aperture. Also, the above structure can be arrayed and mass produced using a silicon process, thus being adapted for use as an optical memory head.

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 aperture is fabricated by providing a pressing body and object having a substrate, at least one conical- or pyramidal-shaped tip disposed on the substrate, at least one stopper disposed on the substrate at a vicinity of the tip, and an optical shielding film disposed on at least a portion of each of the stopper and the tip. A surface of the pressing body is then disposed in confronting relation to the object. The pressing body is then displaced to bring the surface of the pressing body in 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: A near-field optical probe has a planar substrate formed with a through-hole and a phase shifter layer translucent to light having a wavelength of illumination light used to illuminate the substrate for producing near-field light. The phase shifter layer is effective to cause a shift of phase in the illumination light by 180 degrees and is provided on the substrate so as to cover one opening of the through-hole to form a microscopic aperture for producing near-field light.