Magneto-optical data storage system having an optical-processing flying head

摘要

A magneto-optical (MO) data storage system has a flying optical head supported over a MO storage medium, the flying head having channels or grooves formed therein and optical elements disposed within the grooves for directing an incident light beam to the storage medium and for receiving a reflected light beam from the storage medium. The flying head may comprise a two-piece assembly comprising a slider body which flies over the surface of the storage medium, and a separate optics mounting block formed to receive the optical elements and to be supported on the flying head. Preferably, the slider body is L-shaped and provides an angled surface for receiving a micro-machined mirror aligned with optical elements on the optics mounting block and controllable for deflecting the light beam to and from the storage medium.