A novel approach to optical first-surface recording based on thin film gas-lubricated slider bearing technology

This paper describes a novel approach to first-surface optical recording based on a gas-lubricated flying head slider mechanism which is commonly used in hard disk drives. To avoid the usage of complex optical elements including lenses, mirrors, and prisms, we have introduced a plastic resin - based optical wave-guide which also functions as a flying head suspension and/or slider shoes. Several types of recording head mechanisms are referred to.