Abstract:
An optical head (100) for performing optical data operations relative to a medium (118) includes a slider body (154) and at least one lens (150). Positioned between the slider body (154) and the lens (150) is an aperture stop (158) for blocking the transmittance of light. The aperture stop (158) includes an opaque layer that circumscribes a transparent region.
Abstract:
A base mounting portion (60) connects the gimbal spring (40) to a load beam (36) and thereby to the actuator (22) of the disc drive which positions the gimbal (40) and slider (20) over a desired track on the disc. The gimbal (40) includes opposed flexure arms (62, 64) which are formed of elongated members, each having a proximal end and a distal end which define an opening therebetween. The proximal ends of the flexure arms (62, 64) are operably coupled to the base (60), and the distal ends are cantilevered. A mounting tab (66) is positioned between the ends of the flexure arms (62, 64) and supports the slider (20). Bridge sections (76, 78) are provided which connect the distal ends (74) of the flexure arms (62, 64) to the mounting tab (66), the bridge sections (76, 78) extending at an angle relative to the flexure arms (62, 64) and being angled back toward the base section (60) of the gimbal (40).
Abstract:
A system and method for generating position error signals within a magneto-optical computer memory device whose track pitch is close to the full width half maximum width of the laser spot, the narrow track being typical of data stored on magnetic super resolution media. The magneto-optical computer memory device comprises a storage media for storing information, position marks embossed on the storage media, a head device coupled to the storage media for sensing the position marks to generate position error signals, and a correction device coupled to the head device to access the position error signals and responsively position the head device to correctly sense the stored information.
Abstract:
An optical disc data storage system includes an optical disc (54) for storing information in an optically readable format on a data surface. A slider (70) is positioned proximate the data surface of the optical disc (54). An actuator (72) coupled to the slider selectively positions the slider (70) relative to the data surface. An optical waveguide (50) having a radially graded index of refraction extends between a first end (76) positioned proximate a light source (78) and a second end (52) coupled to the slider (70) and positioned proximate the data surface. The optical waveguide (50) carries light (80) therebetween.
Abstract:
A gimbal spring (38) for supporting a slider (20) relative to a disc (12) surface. The gimbal spring (38) includes opposed flexure arms (48, 50) extending from a base of the gimbal spring (38). the flexure arms (48, 50) are designed to support the slider (20) coupled to the gimbal spring (38) via a mounting tab (54) to pitch and roll relative to the disc (12) surface. The flexure arms (48, 50) are formed of elongated members extending from the base to define a fixed end and an extended end. The flexure arms (48, 50) include an intermediate portion between the fixed end and the extended end having a reduced mass, which is less than the fixed end and extended end. The reduced mass enhances the operation characteristics of the gimbal spring (38).
Abstract:
An optical data storage, tracking, and retrieval system (100) uses a flying head (106). The flying head (106) is supported over a moving media (107) having information stored in a plurality of stored data locations thereon. Information is stored in each of the plurality of media locations as physical structures capable of modulating the polarization state of incident light into one of two output polarization states. A preferred embodiment includes optical fibers (102, 110, 112) for coupling the incident (191) and return (192, 193) light beams between detectors (235, 236) and the flying head (106). A preferred embodiment includes an optical plate (424) having pre-shaped and dimensioned recesses for automatically locating and aligning multiple optical components. The flying head (106) may also include a servo-controlled micro machined mirror (401) for directing the incident and reflected light beams to and from the media.
Abstract:
A magneto-optical flying head utilizes a steerable mirror (340) in combination with a light source and a lens to write and read data onto a magneto-optical storage disk (180). A beam of laser light transmitted from the light source to the optical head is reflected onto a steerable micro-machined folding mirror (340). The reflected light from the folding mirror (340) is directed through an embedded micro-objective GRIN lens (420). Fine tracking and short seeks to adjacent tracks are performed by rotating the mirror about an axis of rotation. In this way a focus spot is scanned back and forth in a direction which is approximately parallel to the radial direction of the storage disk.
Abstract:
The invention features an optical disk drive having a pivotable arm configured to position an optical drive head over a selected portion of an optical disk. The disk drive has a light source mounted to the arm configured to generate a beam of light. A reflector of the disk drive is configured to receive the beam of light and direct the beam to a selected portion of the optical drive head.
Abstract:
A flying head mechanism includes a flying head, a suspension and an actuator which applies a load force through the suspension. The load force applied by the actuator is adjustable while the head is in operation. The actuator may actively control load force as part of a feedback loop which maintains the flying head at a constant flying height. One embodiment disclosed includes a voice coil actuator. In embodiments using an optical flying head, a conventional focus sensor may provide a signal indicative of flying height, since the focus signal inherently indicates flying height error.