title: Readout characteristics of a near-field optical probe as a data-storage readout device: submicrometer scan height and resolution.
abstract: A photodiode-embedded near-field scanning microscope cantilever (photocantilever) was used to scan in a noncontact, constant-height mode at a range common in hard disk drives to examine its readout capabilities when mounted on a flying-slider head. The intensity ratios of spatial frequencies that compose the obtained near-field image were analyzed by use of the fast Fourier transform. A simplified model was developed as a guiding principle for estimating the readout characteristics of the near-field optical probe in the above-proximity scan-height range.
authors.affiliation: NTT Integrated Information and Energy Systems Laboratories, 3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohkubo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuzawa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bouet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto