NEAR-FIELD LIGHT DETECTION ELEMENT AND REPRODUCTION METHOD FOR INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM

摘要

A near-field light detection element is provided with a light source (6), a conductive scatterer (1) that generates near-field light from light irradiated from the light source (6), and a photoelectric conversion element (7) that is disposed in the area in the vicinity of the scatterer where near-field light is generated. The scatterer (1) irradiates a recording medium (5) with near-field light, and the near-field light detection element detects, as a change in the electrical conductivity of the photoelectric conversion element (7), a change in the intensity of the near-field light that is generated due to a change in the permittivity of the recording medium (5).