Optical recording using a waveguide structure and a phase change medium
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsDorothea Buechel, Dieter Weller, Edward Gage, William Challener, Christophe Mihalcea
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface, a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the air bearing surface, a storage medium position adjacent to the air bearing surface, a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the storage medium, and a structure positioned adjacent to the focal point for collecting the reflected electromagnetic radiation and for transmitted the reflected electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.
Claims26
An apparatus comprising:
- a component having a first surface;
- a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the first surface;
- a storage medium positioned adjacent to the first surface;
- a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the storage medium;
- and
- a structure positioned adjacent to the focal point for collecting the reflected electromagnetic radiation and for transmitting the reflected electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.
An apparatus for inspecting a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a component having a first surface configured to be positioned adjacent to the sample;
- a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the first surface;
- a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the sample or a contaminant on the sample;
- and
- a structure positioned adjacent to the focal point for collecting the reflected electromagnetic radiation and for transmitting the reflected electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.
An apparatus comprising:
- a component having a first surface;
- a phase change storage medium positioned adjacent to the first surface;
- a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the first surface for changing a phase of portions of the phase change storage medium using near field radiation;
- a first electrode having a first end positioned adjacent to the phase change storage medium;
- and
- a detector for detecting electrical current in the first electrode, wherein the electrical current changes in response to changes in electrical conductivity of the storage medium.
An apparatus comprising:
- a phase change storage medium;
- a first electrode having a first end positioned adjacent to the phase change storage medium;
- and
- a detector for detecting electrical current in the first electrode, wherein the electrical current changes in response to changes in electrical conductivity of the storage medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.