Slider design

Abstract

A slider is used in an optical or magneto-optical head having an optical assembly mounted on the slider body, for directing a read-write laser beam onto and from a data storage disk. The optical assembly includes an optical fiber a mirror a quarter wavelength plate, and a lens. The optical fiber guides the laser beam along an optical path defined by the optical assembly and the slider body. The laser beam emanating from the optical fiber impinges upon the mirror and is reflected thereby onto and through the quarter wavelength plate. The laser beam continues its travel along the optical path through the lens and a magnetic coil assembly onto the disk. The slider includes a channel pattern formed on its upper surface for positioning the optical components on the slider body. The channel pattern includes a plurality of channels that define an optical path, and a plurality of cavities formed along these channels for receiving various components such as optical, magnetic and electrical components.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.