<p>A near-field optical head for an information recorder/reader, for recording/reading information on/from a high-density recording medium at high speed and with high reliability by causing interaction between near-field light and the recording medium by means of a slider having a near-field light probe. A slider (1) having a near-field light probe is provided close to a recording medium (3), and the distance between the light-emitting device (2) and a small opening (7) is short. The amount of projection of the small opening from the recording medium (3) is controlled by a piezoelectric device. As a result the intensity of light at the probe or at a photodetecting section is increased, and the interaction with the recording medium (3) is enhanced. Thus, an accurate information recorder/reader with high sensitivity is realized.</p>
