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EP0581597A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

An optical information reproducing device

Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-07-29
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Abstract

Abstract An optical information reproducing device is provided. The device includes a light source for generating a light beam, an optical system for converging the light beam generated by the light source on a magneto-optical recording medium on which recording information is recorded and for converging a return light beam reflected from the magneto-optical recording medium, beam splitting means for splitting the return light beam into split light beams, first detecting means for receiving one of the split light beams to detect the intensity of the one of the split light beams, servo signal generating means for generating a tracking error signal and a focusing error signal based on the output of the first detecting means, an optical waveguide disposed between the beam splitting means and the first detecting means, the optical waveguide crossing an optical axis of the one of the split light beams, an optical coupler disposed on the optical waveguide for separating part of the one of the split light beams from the one of the split beams to form a guided light beam which is guided in the optical waveguide, second detecting means for receiving the guided light beam from the optical waveguide to detect the intensity of at least one polarization component of the guided light beam, and information signal reproducing means for reproducing the recording information based on the output of the second detecting means.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yoshio Yoshida
  • 👤 Renzaburou Miki
  • 👤 Yukio Kurata
  • 👤 Hiroyuki Yamamoto
  • 👤 Kuniaki Okada
  • 👤 Kouji Minami

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 23:04
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B11/00; G11B11/10; G11B11/105; G11B11/10532; G11B11/10541; G11B11/10543; G11B7/12; G11B7/123; G11B7/124; G11B7/13

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 226 words
An optical information reproducing device comprising: a light source for generating a light beam; an optical system for converging said light beam generated by said light source on a magneto-optical recording medium on which recording information is recorded and for converging a return light beam reflected from said magneto-optical recording medium; beam splitting means for splitting said return light beam into split light beams; first detecting means for receiving one of said split light beams to detect the intensity of said one of said split light beams; servo signal generating means for generating a tracking error signal and a focusing error signal based on the output of said first detecting means; an optical waveguide disposed between said beam splitting means and said first detecting means, said optical waveguide crossing an optical axis of said one of said split light beams; an optical coupler disposed on said optical waveguide for separating part of said one of said split light beams from said one of said split beams to form a guided light beam which is guided in said optical waveguide; second detecting means for receiving said guided light beam from said optical waveguide to detect the intensity of at least one polarization component of said guided light beam; and information signal reproducing means for reproducing said recording information based on the output of said second detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 226 words
An optical information reproducing device comprising: a light source for generating a light beam; an optical system for converging said light beam generated by said light source on a magneto-optical recording medium on which recording information is recorded and for converging a return light beam reflected from said magneto-optical recording medium; beam splitting means for splitting said return light beam into split light beams; first detecting means for receiving one of said split light beams to detect the intensity of said one of said split light beams; servo signal generating means for generating a tracking error signal and a focusing error signal based on the output of said first detecting means; an optical waveguide disposed between said beam splitting means and said first detecting means, said optical waveguide crossing an optical axis of said one of said split light beams; an optical coupler disposed on said optical waveguide for separating part of said one of said split light beams from said one of said split beams to form a guided light beam which is guided in said optical waveguide; second detecting means for receiving said guided light beam from said optical waveguide to detect the intensity of at least one polarization component of said guided light beam; and information signal reproducing means for reproducing said recording information based on the output of said second detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein said beam splitting means is a diffraction element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide, said first detecting means, and said second detecting means are integrally formed on a substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 3, further comprising packaging means for packaging said light source and said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 1, further comprising polarized beam splitting means for splitting said guided light beam into a TE polarized light beam and a TM polarized light beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 5, wherein said at least one polarization component is said TE polarized light beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 5, wherein said polarized beam splitting means is an analyzer for absorbing said TM polarized light beam, while allowing said TE polarized light beam to pass therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 5, further comprising a converging lens for converging said TE polarized light beam and said TM polarized light beam on said second detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 4, further comprising optical dividing means disposed between said light source and said optical system, for splitting the light beam generated by said light source into a main beam and two sub-beams.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 60 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 9, further comprising a transparent substrate disposed on said packaging means, said transparent substrate having a first surface contacting said packaging means and a second surface opposing said first surface, wherein said beam splitting means is disposed on said second surface and said optical dividing means is disposed on said first surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical information reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein said optical coupler is a grating coupler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 132 words
A reading head for an apparatus which reproduces information from a magneto-optical recording medium, the head comprising means (1,3,5,6) for projecting a reading light beam onto the surface of a said medium, and an integrated detection element (8 to 11, 16) having first detection means (11) for detecting a part of the return light reflected from the medium to generate signals for use in focus and tracking control, an optical waveguide (10) for receiving and guiding another part of the return light an optical coupler (9) for directing said another part of the return light to the optical waveguide, means (18a,18b;20a,20b) for separating at least one polarization component (TE,TM) of the light guided by said optical waveguide, and second detection means (16) for receiving and detecting said at least one polarization component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 132 words
A reading head for an apparatus which reproduces information from a magneto-optical recording medium, the head comprising means (1,3,5,6) for projecting a reading light beam onto the surface of a said medium, and an integrated detection element (8 to 11, 16) having first detection means (11) for detecting a part of the return light reflected from the medium to generate signals for use in focus and tracking control, an optical waveguide (10) for receiving and guiding another part of the return light an optical coupler (9) for directing said another part of the return light to the optical waveguide, means (18a,18b;20a,20b) for separating at least one polarization component (TE,TM) of the light guided by said optical waveguide, and second detection means (16) for receiving and detecting said at least one polarization component.

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