Abstract

In an optical data storage system, a small-size and light weight optical head is required for high speed track access. A holographic optical element(HOE), which can be combined with focusing error detecting function, tracking error detecting function and beam splitting function, has high potential to realize a small size optical head¹⁾. To enable applying the HOE for a magneto-optical(MO) head, it is required that the HOE possesses polarizing characteristics in the HOE's beam splitting function²⁾. For this requirement the authors have developed an MO head using reflection polarizing HOE(R-PHOE). This paper describes the design for the R-PHOE, optical head configuration, fabrication of the R-PHOE and head operation characteristics.

© 1989 Optical Society of America