Recording medium having information reproducible using near-field light

Abstract

A recording medium and near-field optical probe utilizing near-field light to achieve high density of information recording and hence enhance resolution in reproducing. A phase shift arrangement layer is formed arranged alternately with a phase shifter region to cause shift by 180 degrees in incident light and a transmission region transparent for a wavelength of the incident light. Furthermore, a row of data marks are arranged in a position above the phase shifter regions and transmission region. Due to this, cancellation is made between spread of near-field light due to incident light transmitted through the phase shifter region and spread of near-field light due to incident light transmitted through the transmission region, providing sharpness in an intensity distribution of near-field light over the data mark. Also, a phase shifter is provided at a through-hole of the near-field optical probe, enabling to produce more localized near-field light.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.