Semiconductor laser and flying optical pickup for recording/reproducing using the same

A flying optical pickup for recording/reproducing optical information on/from an optical disk, said flying optical pickup comprising:

• an optical system including a semiconductor laser having an active region from whose emitting end lased light is emitted, an optical detector for detecting the rearward-radiated light of said semiconductor laser as an electrical signal, and an aperture member for partially obstructing the light from the emitting end of said active region, said aperture member having a hole whose diameter is smaller than a width of said active region at said emitting end, through which a laser beam is restrictively emitted;
• and
• a slider to which said optical system is attached and which rides on a cushion of air, above the surface of the optical disk.

A semiconductor laser for generating a laser beam, the semiconductor laser comprising:

• an active region having an emitting end from which lased light can be emitted;
• an aperture member adjacent the emitting end, the aperture member having a hole with a diameter smaller than a width of the active region, at said emitting end through which the lased light is restrictively emitted.