Patent attributes
A near-field light generating element accommodated in a groove of an encasing layer has an outer surface that includes a first end face including a near-field light generating part, a second end face opposite to the first end face, and a coupling portion that couples the first and second end faces. The coupling portion includes a top surface, and first and second side surfaces that decrease in distance from each other with increasing distance from the top surface. The first end face includes a first side located at an end of the first side surface, and a second side located at an end of the second side surface. Each of the first and second sides includes an upper part and a lower part continuous with each other. An angle formed between the respective lower parts of the first and second sides is smaller than that formed between the respective upper parts of the first and second sides.
