# US 8,274,866 B2 · Optical recording head and optical recording apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,274,866 B2 - Document ID: US8274866B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/716,553 - Filed: 2010-03-03 - Published: 2010-09-16 - Granted: 2012-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-11 - Assignees: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc. - Inventors: Koujirou Sekine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8274866B2 ## CPC - G11B 5/314: {where the layers are extra layers normally not provided in the transducing structure, e.g. optical layers (G11B5/3196 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/1228: {Tapered waveguides, e.g. integrated spot-size transformers (for coupling with fibres G02B6/305)} - G02B 6/124: Geodesic lenses or integrated gratings - G02B 6/34: utilising prism or grating {(G02B6/293 takes precedence)} - G11B 5/6005: {Specially adapted for spacing from a rotating disc using a fluid cushion} - G11B 5/6088: {Optical waveguide in or on flying head} - G11B 7/1387: using the near-field effect - G11B 2005/001: {Controlling recording characteristics of record carriers or transducing characteristics of transducers by means not being part of their structure} - G11B 2005/0021: {Thermally assisted recording using an auxiliary energy source for heating the recording layer locally to assist the magnetization reversal} - 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) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An optical recording head includes: a light source; a slider comprising a wave guide which irradiates light from the light source to a recording medium, wherein a grating coupler is formed on an end portion at an opposite side of the waveguide relative to the light source; and an optical element which comprises a diffraction grating and introduces the light from the light source to the grating coupler through the diffraction grating. The optical element deflects the light from the light source so that the light is incident into the grating coupler with a deflection angle larger than 90 degrees with respect to a direction in which the light proceeds when the light is incident into the optical element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical recording head comprising: a light source; a slider comprising a wave guide which irradiates light from the light source to a recording medium, wherein a grating coupler is formed on an end portion at an opposite side of the slider relative to the light source; and an optical element which comprises a diffraction grating and introduces the light from the light source to the grating coupler through the diffraction grating, wherein the optical element deflects the light from the light source back toward the light source with a deflection angle larger than 90 degrees. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, wherein the diffraction grating of the optical element is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with air. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and the diffraction grating is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with the material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and comprises a reflection surface deflecting the light incident from the light source, and the diffraction grating is a transmission type diffraction grating arranged on a light exiting surface through which the light exits from the optical element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and comprises a reflection surface which deflects the light incident from the light source, and the diffraction grating is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with the material which transmits light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The optical recording head of claim 2, further comprising a suspension which supports the slider, wherein the optical element is formed on an inclined surface portion provided on an end of the suspension. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The optical recording head of claim 6, wherein the inclined surface portion is formed by being bent and pulled up along a cut provided on a part of the suspension and the optical element is formed directly on the inclined surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An optical recording apparatus comprising the optical head of claim 1 and the recording medium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, further comprising a suspension having a first side and a second side, the first side of the suspension facing the recording medium and being opposite to the second side of the suspension, and wherein the slider is mounted on the first side of the suspension. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The optical recording head of claim 9, wherein the optical element is mounted on the second side of the suspension, the suspension has an opening there through from the first side to the second side, and the optical element deflects the light from the light source through the opening in the suspension. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The optical recording head of claim 1, wherein the optical element is mounted to the slider. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the diffraction grating of the optical element is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with air. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and the diffraction grating is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with the material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and comprises a reflection surface deflecting the light incident from the light source, and the diffraction grating is a transmission type diffraction grating arranged on a light exiting surface through which the light exits from the optical element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the optical element is formed of a material which transmits light and comprises a reflection surface which deflects the light incident from the light source, and the diffraction grating is a reflection type diffraction grating contacting with the material which transmits light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the suspension has a first side and a second side, the first side of the suspension facing the recording medium and being opposite to the second side of the suspension, and wherein the slider and optical element are on the first side of the suspension. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The optical recording head of claim 11, wherein the optical element is mounted to a side of the slider opposite to a side of the slider facing the recording medium. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) An optical recording apparatus comprising the optical head of claim 11 and the recording medium.