Abstract
We investigate the behavior of recording light in a phase-change near-field recording system in the presence of a solid immersion lens (SIL) and an optical disk. The relationship of the recording light density with the air gap and the disk structure is analyzed in detail, together with the beam spot profiles. Moreover, the coupling efficiency in the presence of the optical disk is calculated. It is found that the behavior of the recording light depends strongly on the air gap and the entire optical disk structure.