System and method using optical fibers in a data storage and retrieval system
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsJeffrey P. Wilde, Jerry E. Hurst, John F. Heanue
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Abstract
An optical system and method for transmission of light between a RF modulated source of light and a magneto-optical storage location along an optical path including: orthogonally aligned first and second single-mode polarization maintaining optical fibers, a flying magneto-optical head, and a quarter-wave plate positioned on the flying magneto-optical head.
Claims37
An optical system for transmission of light between a source and a destination, said optical system comprising:
- an optical path for propagation of said light between said source and said destination, said optical path positioned between said source and said destination, said optical path comprising a first optical coupler, said first optical coupler comprising a first segment and a second segment, said first and second segment each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said first segment comprising a fast axis, said second segment comprising a fast axis, wherein said fast axis of said first segment is aligned in said optical path substantially orthogonal to said fast axis of said second segment.
A method of transmission of a light from a source to a storage medium, and for transmission of a reflection of said light from said storage medium to said source, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical fiber that comprises a first segment and a second segment, wherein said first and second segment each comprise a fast axis, wherein said first segment comprises a first length, wherein said second segment comprises a second length, and wherein said first length is substantially equal in length to said second length;
- coupling said first and second segments so that said fast axis of said first segment is aligned orthogonal to said fast axis of said second segment;
- positioning said optical fiber between said source and said storage medium so that said light passes through said first and second segment onto said storage medium;
- and
- positioning said optical fiber between said storage medium and said source so that said reflection of said light from said storage medium passes through said second segment and said first segment.
A single-mode polarization maintaining optical fiber for storage and retrieval of information, wherein said single-mode polarization maintaining optical fiber comprises a first segment and a second segment, said first segment comprising a first length, said second segment comprising a second length, said first length substantially equal in length to said second length, said first and second segment each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said first segment and said second segment each further comprising a fast axis, said distal end of said first segment coupled to proximal end of said second segment so that said fast axis of said first segment is aligned substantially orthogonal to said fast axis of said second segment.
An optical system for transmission of light between a source and a set of storage disks, said optical system comprising:
- a set of magneto-optical heads, and
- a set of optical fibers positioned between said source and said set of storage disks, each of said set of optical fibers comprising a first segment coupled to a second segment, each of said first segments and said second segments comprising a proximal end and a distal end, each of said first segments and said second segments further comprising a fast axis, each of said first segments coupled with said second segments so that said fast axis of each of said first segments is aligned substantially orthogonal to said fast axis of each of said second segments, and wherein each of said second segments is coupled to a respective one of said set of magneto-optical heads.
A method of transmission of a light between a source and a destination, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical fiber, said optical fiber comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein said first and second segment each comprise a fast axis,
- positioning said optical fiber between said source and said destination so that said light passes through said first and second segments;
- and
- aligning said first and second segments so that said fast axis of said first segment is aligned orthogonally to said fast axis of said second segment.
An optical system for transmission of light between a source and a storage disk, said optical system comprising:
- an optical path for propagation of said light between said source and said storage disk;
- an optical fiber, wherein said optical fiber is aligned in said optical path, said optical fiber comprising a first segment and a second segment, said first and second segment each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said first segment and said second segment each further comprising a fast axis, said distal end of said first segment coupled with said proximal end of said second segment so that said fast axis of said first segment is aligned substantially orthogonal to said fast axis of said second segment, wherein said first segment comprises a first length, wherein said second segment comprises as second length, and wherein said first length is substantially equal in length to said second length;
- and
- a flying magneto-optical head, said flying magneto-optical head aligned in said optical path, said flying magneto-optical head comprising a reflective substrate and a quarter-wave plate, wherein said reflective substrate and said quarter-wave plate are aligned in said optical path between said source and said storage disk, wherein said quarter-wave plate comprises multi-layers, and wherein said multi-layers are deposited on said reflective substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.