Optical head and optical head device

Abstract

An optical head which has a prism with an incident section, an internal reflective surface and an emergent surface, and an optical head device which employs the optical head. Light emitted from a light source is incident to the prism through the incident section, reflects at least once on the internal reflective surface and is converged in the vicinity of the emergent surface. Then, the light effuses through the emergent surface as near field light.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . An optical head device for use in at least one of recording and reading of information to or from an optical recording medium, comprising: 
 a light source for emitting a light beam; and    a prism for converging the light beam from the light source, the prism comprising: 
 a first surface through which the light beam advancing along a first direction enters into the prism, the first direction being parallel to a recording surface of the optical recording medium;  
 a second surface for reflecting the light beam which has entered into the prism through the first surface within the prism;  
 a third surface for reflecting the light beam reflected by the second surface within the prism; and  
 a fourth surface through which the light beam reflected by the third surface is emergent from the prism for at least one of recording and reading of information,  
 wherein, in vicinity of the fourth surface, at least one of the first, second and third surfaces converges the light beam and forms a beam spot.  
   
   
   
       28 . The optical head device according to  claim 27 , wherein the third surface reflects the light beam to a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction.  
   
   
       29 . The optical head device according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 the fourth surface has a light shutter layer having a minuscule opening which is smaller than the beam spot;    the light shutter layer except the minuscule opening prevents the light beam from passing through the fourth surface; and    a near field light effuses from the minuscule opening.    
   
   
       30 . The optical head device according to  claim 27 , wherein the fourth surface is parallel to the first direction.  
   
   
       31 . An optical head device for use in at least one of recording and reading of information to or from an optical recording medium, comprising: 
 a light source for emitting a light beam; and    a prism for converging the light beam from the light source in vicinity of an emergent surface thereof, wherein 
 a light beam advancing along a direction parallel to a recording surface of the recording medium enters into the prism;  
 the light beam which has entered into the prism is reflected within the prism twice; and  
 the light beam reflected within the prism is emergent from the prism through the emergent surface.  
   
   
   
       32 . The optical head device according to  claim 31 , wherein: 
 the emergent surface has a light shutter layer having a minuscule opening which is smaller than the beam spot;    the light shutter layer except the minuscule opening prevents the light beam from passing through the emergent surface; and    a near field light effuses from the minuscule opening.    
   
   
       33 . A prism for converging an incident light beam, comprising: 
 a first surface through which a light beam advancing along a first direction enters into the prism;    a second surface for reflecting the light beam which has entered into the prism through the first surface within the prism, the light beam reflected by the second surface advancing along a second direction different from the first direction;    a third surface for reflecting the light beam reflected by the second surface within the prism, the light beam reflected by the third surface advancing along a third direction different from the first and second directions; and    a fourth surface through which the light beam reflected by the third surface is emergent from the prism,    wherein, in vicinity of the fourth surface, at least one of the first, second and third surfaces converges the light beam and forms a beam spot.    
   
   
       34 . The prism according to  claim 33 , wherein: 
 the fourth surface has a light shutter layer having a minuscule opening which is smaller than the beam spot;    the light shutter layer except the minuscule opening prevents the light beam from passing through the fourth surface; and    a near field light effuses from the minuscule opening.    
   
   
       35 . A prism for converging an incident light beam in vicinity of an emergent surface thereof, wherein: 
 a light beam advancing along a first direction enters into the prism, the first direction being substantially parallel to the emergent surface of the prism; and    the light beam which has entered into the prism is reflected within the prism twice.    
   
   
       36 . The prism according to  claim 35 , wherein: 
 the emergent surface has a light shutter layer having a minuscule opening which is smaller than the beam spot;    the light shutter layer except the minuscule opening prevents the light beam from passing through the emergent surface; and    a near field light effuses from the minuscule opening.