US5125750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical recording system employing a solid immersion lens
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1992-06-30
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An optical recording system including a read/write optical assembly including an objective lens for reading or writing from an optical medium including a solid immersion lens disposed between the objective lens and having a surface closely spaced from the recording medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Corle
- 👤 Gordon S. Kino
- 👤 Scott M. Mansfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q80/00; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/122; G11B7/135; G11B7/1372; G11B7/1374; G11B7/1387; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; G11B2007/13727
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An optical system including a read/write head assembly for reading or writing information on an adjacent recording medium of the type which includes an objective lens for focusing light energy onto a recording medium, including a solid immersion lens disposed between the read/write head assembly and the recording medium, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said read/write head assembly and a flat surface closely spaced from said recording medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical system including a read/write head assembly for reading or writing information on an adjacent recording medium of the type which includes an objective lens for focusing light energy onto a recording medium, including a solid immersion lens disposed between the read/write head assembly and the recording medium, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said read/write head assembly and a flat surface closely spaced from said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical system as in claim 1 in which said objective lens is moved up or down to focus optical energy at selected depths inside said recording medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical system as in claim 1 in which said solid immersion lens is mounted so that it can float on an air bearing caused by relative movement of the solid immersion lens and recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an optical system including a read/write head assembly for reading or writing information on an adjacent recording medium of the type which includes a laser for providing light energy, an optical system including an objective lens for focusing light energy received from the laser, a solid immersion lens mounted between the objective lens and the recording medium, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said objective lens and a flat surface closely spaced from said recording medium, a phototransducer for receiving light energy reflected from said surface and polarization components for preventing light reflected from said recording medium to return to and interfere with the laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an optical system including a read/write head assembly for reading or writing information on an adjacent recording medium of the type which includes a laser for providing light energy, an optical system including an objective lens for focusing light energy received from the laser, a solid immersion lens mounted between the objective lens and the recording medium, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said objective lens and a flat surface closely spaced from said recording medium, a phototransducer for receiving light energy reflected from said surface and polarization components for preventing light reflected from said recording medium to return to and interfere with the laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical system as in claim 4 in which said objective lens is moved up or down to focus optical energy at selected depths within said recording medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical system as in claim 4 in which said solid immersion lens is mounted so that it can float on an air bearing caused by relative movement between the recording medium and the optical recording medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical system including an objective lens for focusing light energy to or receiving light from a sample, a solid immersion lens mounted between the objective lens and said sample, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said objective lens and a flat surface closely spaced to the sample, and polarization components which act together as an optical isolator, said solid immersion lens including an optically active material in order to function as the quarter wave retarder in said optical isolator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical system including an objective lens for focusing light energy to or receiving light from a sample, a solid immersion lens mounted between the objective lens and said sample, said solid immersion lens including a spherical surface facing said objective lens and a flat surface closely spaced to the sample, and polarization components which act together as an optical isolator, said solid immersion lens including an optically active material in order to function as the quarter wave retarder in said optical isolator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical system as in claim 7 used in conjunction with a read/write head assembly for reading or writing information on an adjacent recording medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical system as in claim 7 in which said solid immersion lens is an optically active material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical system as in claim 7 in which said solid immersion lens includes a layer of optically active material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |