Optical read-write head with diffraction grating structure

Claim 2

In an optical component having at least one laser element, a waveguide layer integrated on a semiconductor body, a grating structure acting as an optical system, with said grating structure being integrated on said waveguide layer, and at least one photodiode integrated in the semiconductor body; the improvement wherein said laser element and said semiconductor body are arranged on a single surface side of a carrier element such that a first beam of said laser element impinges directly on said grating structure; and wherein said first light beam diffracted from said grating structure exits from the component as a second light beam.

Claim 3

An optical component according to claim 1, wherein a cover designed as a housing cap is provided and together with said carrier element forms the housing of the component, and wherein the second light beam diffracted from the grating structure exits from said housing through said cover.

Claim 4

An optical component according to claim 2, wherein the cover contains a window transparent to light through which the second light beam exits.

Claim 5

An optical component according to claim 3, wherein the second light beam passes perpendicularly through the plane of the window.

Claim 6

An optical component according to claim 2, wherein the housing is hermetically sealed.

Claim 7

An optical component according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the second light beam diffracted from the grating structure is perpendicular to the base plane of the carrier element.

Claim 8

An optical component according to claim 1, wherein the laser element is arranged on a heat sink located on the carrier element.

Claim 9

An optical component according to claim 1, wherein connecting pins for said laser and said photodiode are provided on the base plane of the carrier element.

Claim 10

An optical component according to claim 1, wherein the first light beam propagates in said waveguide layer.

Claim 11

An optical component according to claim 9, wherein said grating structure includes a first grating structure portion for coupling the first light beam into the waveguide layer.

Claim 12

An optical component according to claim 10, wherein said grating structure further includes a second grating structure portion for producing the second light beam and for coupling said light beam out of the waveguide layer.

Claim 13

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the first grating structure portion is designed such that the first light beam illuminates the second grating structure portion.

Claim 14

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the second grating structure portion is a focussing diffraction grating for decoupling the light beam from the waveguide.

Claim 15

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the second grating structure portion is a collimating diffraction grating for decoupling the light beam from the waveguide layer.

Claim 16

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the second grating structure portion is a diverging diffraction grating for decoupling the light beam from the waveguide layer.

Claim 17

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the second grating structure portion modifies the intensity profile of the second light beam.

Claim 18

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein the second grating structure portion produces several light beams simultaneously.

Claim 19

An optical component according to claim 11, wherein said component is disposed in a housing; and the second grating structure is provided for additionally coupling a light beam entering the housing to said waveguide layer.

Claim 20

An optical component according to claim 18, wherein the second grating structure portion is designed such that a coupled light beam is distributed between at least two of said photodiodes.

Claim 21

An optical component according to claim 10, wherein the first grating structure portion provides correction for optical errors of the first light beam.

Claim 22

An optical reading and/or writing head for optical memories comprising an optical component having at least one laser element, a waveguide layer integrated on a semiconductor body, a grating structure acting as an optical system and integrated on a surface of said waveguide layer, at least one photodiode integrated in the semiconductor body, and a carrier element; and wherein: said laser element and said semiconductor body are mounted on a single surface side of said carrier element such that a first light beam emitted by said laser element impinges directly on said grating structure and after being diffracted from said grating structure exits from the component as a second light beam; said grating structure includes a first grating portion on which said first beam impinges and a second grating portion for producing said second light beam; said first grating portion is a beam expander for illuminating said second grating portion with said first light beam; and said second grating portion is a focussing diffraction grating for focussing said second light beam at a focal point and a beam-splitter for coupling reflected light of said second light beam into said waveguide layer and to said at least one photodiode.

Claim 23

An optical reading and/or writing head for optical memories comprising an optical component having at least one laser element, a waveguide layer integrated on a semiconductor body, a grating structure acting as an optical system and integrated on a surface of said waveguide layer, at least one photodiode integrated in the semiconductor body, and a carrier element; and wherein: said laser element and said semiconductor body are mounted on a single surface side of said carrier element such that a first light beam emitted by said laser element impinges directly on said grating structure and after being diffracted from said grating structure exits from the component as a second light beam; said grating structure includes a first grating portion on which said first beam impinges and a second grating portion for producing said second light beam; said first grating portion is a beam expander for illuminating said second grating portion with said first light beam; and said second grating portion is a focussing diffraction grating for focussing said second light beam at a focal point and a beam-splitter for coupling reflected light of said second light beam into said waveguide layer and to said at least one photodiode.