# US 6,721,262 B1 · Aperture stop for a flying optical head > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,721,262 B1 - Document ID: US6721262B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/051,680 - Filed: 1998-04-09 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 1997-09-22 - Assignees: Seagate Technology LLC - Inventors: Nicholas Jordache; Ronald E. Gerber; Ghanim A. Al-Jumaily; Edward C. Gage; Lori G. Swanson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6721262B1 ## CPC - G11B 7/1387: using the near-field effect - G11B 7/122: Flying-type heads, e.g. analogous to Winchester type in magnetic recording - G11B 7/139: Numerical aperture control means - G11B 7/1398: Means for shaping the cross-section of the beam, e.g. into circular or elliptical cross-section - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) ## Abstract An optical head for performing optical data operations relative to a medium includes a slider body and at least one lens. Positioned between the slider body and the lens is an aperture stop for blocking the transmittance of light. The aperture stop includes an opaque layer that circumscribes a transparent region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical head for performing optical data operations relative to a medium, the optical head comprising: a slider, positionable over multiple locations on the medium; and light controlling means, coupled to the slider, for focusing and limiting light transmission relative to the medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical head of claim 1 wherein the light controlling means comprises: a lens; and an aperture stop, the aperture stop between the lens and the slider. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The optical head of claim 2 wherein the lens is a cap lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical head of claim 3 wherein the aperture stop is an opaque layer circumscribing a transparent region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The optical head of claim 4 wherein the cap lens is bonded to a portion of the opaque layer by an adhesive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The optical head of claim 5 wherein the adhesive contacts the slider in the transparent region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The optical head of claim 4 wherein the opaque layer comprises an optically reflective material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The optical head of claim 7 wherein the opaque layer comprises chromium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The optical head of claim 3 further comprising an objective lens, the cap lens between the objective lens and the aperture stop. ### Claim 10 A method of constructing an optical head, the method comprising: constructing a slider body; forming an opaque layer on the slider body, the opaque layer having an aperture; and constructing a lens system so that the opaque layer is between the lens system and the slider body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the opaque layer is formed through photolithography and the opaque layer is aligned on the slider body relative to a feature found on the opposite side of the slider body from the opaque layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of constructing a lens system comprises: bonding a cap stand to the slider body, the cap stand aligned on the slider body using the outer perimeter of the opaque layer; and bonding an objective lens to the cap stand. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the step of constructing a lens system further comprises bonding a cap lens to the opaque layer with an adhesive. ### Claim 14 An optical head for conveying light representing data stored on a medium, the optical head comprising: a slider body; at least one lens; and an aperture stop positioned between the slider body and the at least one lens. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The optical head of claim 14 wherein the aperture stop comprises an opaque layer of material surrounding a transparent region. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The optical head of claim 15 wherein the opaque layer is planar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The optical head of claim 15 wherein the at least one lens comprises an objective lens. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The optical head of claim 17 wherein the at least one lens further comprises a cap lens, the cap lens between the objective lens and the aperture stop. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The optical head of claim 18 wherein the aperture stop further comprises an adhesive and wherein the cap lens is bonded to the opaque layer by the adhesive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The optical head of claim 19 wherein the thickness of the adhesive between the cap lens and the opaque layer minimizes reflectance away from the opaque layer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The optical head of claim 19 wherein the adhesive contacts the slider in the transparent region. ### Claim 22 A disc drive for performing optical data operations relative to a medium, the disc drive comprising: a light source, capable of producing light; an optics system coupled to the light source and capable of directing light produced by the light source; an optical head, receptive of light from the optics system, the optical head comprising a slider proximate the medium, an aperture stop, and a lens, the aperture stop between the slider and the lens.