Process of producing near-field light generating element

摘要

Process of producing near-field light generating element is provided to make it possible to mass-produce near-field light generating elements at a low cost, which are high optical efficiency in use on optical memory devices or observation apparatus, and which makes it easy or unnecessary to carry out ultra-high precise positioning between the micro aperture and the luminous flux propagated from the near-field light generating element. The process of producing near-field light generating element of the invention includes steps of forming optical guide structure (101), irradiating convex-forming luminous flux from a surface different from the surface on which the convex-shaped portion is formed convex forming luminous flux irradiation process (102), forming a convex and forming a micro aperture. <IMAGE>