EP0249199A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Optoelectronic signal recording medium and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-06-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An optoelectronic signal recording and storage medium including a base layer, a conductive layer, a photoconductive layer and storage layer has a coherent crystal morphology throughout, even though the chemical and electrical properties of its layers are by choice dramatically different. The base layer is preferably made of monocrystalline sapphire grown in a manner as to allow the growth of the other layers directly on a surface of the base layer without the need to grind and polish that surface, thereby minimizing internal defects in the medium. The monocrystalline base layer also allows the acceptance of exeptionally uniformly distributed charges over wide areas of the medium, thereby enabling the medium to locally record and store minutely differing optoelectronic signals on a background of minimal noise, thus facilitiating low light level electronic or optical recording and long term storage of signals and minimal energy readout of those stored signals. The medium base layer can be thin enough to be flexible and transparent and yet to have great strength to provide a firm foundation for the other medium layers. A method of making the medium is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Manfred R. Kuehnle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/243; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/04; G03G5/08; G03G5/082; G03G5/10; G03G5/104; G11B11/00; G11B11/002; G11B7/26; G11B9/00; G11B9/08; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J29/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In the plural layer optoelectronic recording medium of the type including a base layer and a light modulating layer added to a surface of the base layer the improvement wherein the base layer is a very thin monocrystal whose crystal orientation and surface perfection are such as to enable the growth on said surface of one or more other functional layers including a light modulating layer composed of an inorganic crystalline material with a very high degree of perfection from nucleation sites on said surface so that the entire medium has a coherent crystal morphology.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In the plural layer optoelectronic recording medium of the type including a base layer and a light modulating layer added to a surface of the base layer the improvement wherein the base layer is a very thin monocrystal whose crystal orientation and surface perfection are such as to enable the growth on said surface of one or more other functional layers including a light modulating layer composed of an inorganic crystalline material with a very high degree of perfection from nucleation sites on said surface so that the entire medium has a coherent crystal morphology.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The medium defined in claim 1 wherein said medium also includes a dual-material dielectric storage layer added to said modulating layer and whose atomic lattice arrangement is compatible with those of said other medium layers and which stores a light image focussed onto it as a distribution of coulombic charge domains has anisotropic electrical properties regarding mobility of charge carriers in the storage layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium defined in claim 2 wherein said storage layer includes a barrier zone or layer adjacent to said modulating layer for inhibiting movements of charge carriers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medium defined in claim 2 wherein said modulating includes at least one electrically conductive zone adjacent said base layer to form an electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medium defined in claim 1 wherein said base layer is transparent to light energy from ultraviolet to far infrared and the modulating layer is absorbtive to light over that same energy spectrum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medium defined in claim 5 wherein said base layer consists of monocrystalline sapphire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medium defined in claim 1 wherein said medium is highly flexible and spoolable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A plural layer optoelectronic recording medium comprising A. a thin base layer consisting of a single web-like monocrystalline sapphire crystal whose surfaces are substantially defect free; B. an inorganic conductive layer grown as a crystal on a surface of the base layer from nucleation sites on said surface so that the conductive layer has a crystal arrangement that is compatible with that of said base layer and has a high degree of perfection; C. a photoconductive layer added as a continuum to the exposed surface of said conductive layer and being capable of electrically modulating an incident light image; and D. a dual-material storage layer added integrally to said photoconductive layer for capturing electronic charge carriers from said photoconductive layer and thereby storing an electrical analog of said incident light image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
A plural layer optoelectronic recording medium comprising A. a thin base layer consisting of a single web-like monocrystalline sapphire crystal whose surfaces are substantially defect free; B. an inorganic conductive layer grown as a crystal on a surface of the base layer from nucleation sites on said surface so that the conductive layer has a crystal arrangement that is compatible with that of said base layer and has a high degree of perfection; C. a photoconductive layer added as a continuum to the exposed surface of said conductive layer and being capable of electrically modulating an incident light image; and D. a dual-material storage layer added integrally to said photoconductive layer for capturing electronic charge carriers from said photoconductive layer and thereby storing an electrical analog of said incident light image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium defined in claim 8 wherein said base layer and conductive layer are transparent to light energy and the photoconductive layer absorbs incident light energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medium defined in claim 9 wherein said medium is very flexible and spoolable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium defined in claim 9 wherein all of said layers in the medium have compatible atomic lattice spacings forming a coherent hetero-epitaxially grown structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optoelectronic recording medium in tape or strip form of the type including a base and one or more layers added to the base, at least one of which is photoconductive, the improvement wherein the base consists of a thin, web-like monocrystalline sapphire crystal whose c-axis is oriented perpendicular to the nominal plane of the medium and whose thinness is such that it is flexible, yet of sufficient strength to support said added layers so that the medium can be formed into a roll having a relatively small diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optoelectronic recording medium in tape or strip form of the type including a base and one or more layers added to the base, at least one of which is photoconductive, the improvement wherein the base consists of a thin, web-like monocrystalline sapphire crystal whose c-axis is oriented perpendicular to the nominal plane of the medium and whose thinness is such that it is flexible, yet of sufficient strength to support said added layers so that the medium can be formed into a roll having a relatively small diameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medium defined in claim 12 wherein said base is transparent to light energy over a broad wavelength spectrum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The medium defined in claim 13 wherein said medium has at least one other layer which is transparent to light energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium defined in claim 13 wherein said added layers include at least one conductive layer, a photoconductive layer and a dielectric layer, in that order.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optoelectronic recording medium comprising a strong flexible sheet or tape structure composed of a plurality of thin, superimposed, hetero-epitaxially grown regions or zones having different electrical characteristics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optoelectronic recording medium comprising a strong flexible sheet or tape structure composed of a plurality of thin, superimposed, hetero-epitaxially grown regions or zones having different electrical characteristics.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium defined in claim 16 wherein said structure includes an electrically insulating substrate region, at least one conductive region, and a photoconductive region, in that order.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The medium defined in claim 17 and further including a dual-material dielectric region added to and superimposed on said photoconductive region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium defined in claim 18 wherein said dielectric region includes a barrier zone adjacent to said photoconductive region for inhibiting movements of charge carriers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medium defined in claim 18 wherein said substrate region is transparent and optically clear to light energy over a spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medium defined in claim 18 wherein said recording medium alternates with a transparent medium as a continuous tape or sheet so as to permit viewing through said transparent medium before recording on said recording medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medium defined in claim 21 wherein each transparent medium on the structure consists of said substrate region devoid of said other regions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium defined in claim 18 wherein the dielectric region is comprised of a material which is rendered electrically conductive by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medium defined in claim 18 wherein said dielectric region has a sufficiently high degree of perfection as to accept and maintain extraordinarily uniform electronic charges on its surface with minimal lateral migration of said charges.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium defined in claim 24 wherein said dielectric region is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon dioxide and sapphire.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medium defined in claim 17 and further including electrical conductor means at an exposed edge of said medium, said conductor means being connected electrically to said conductive region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium defined in claim 17 wherein said substrate region is a web-like monocrystalline sapphire crystal having its c-axis orthogonal to the nominal plane of said medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medium defined in claim 17 wherein said photoconductive region is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, gallium arsenide and cadmium mercury telluride.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
67 words
The medium defined in claim 17 and further including optical filter means on said medium, said filter means comprising a multiplicity of parallel, contiguous, thin, optical filter lines, said lines A. being coextensive with said medium; B. being responsive to different colors; C. extending from one edge of the medium to the opposite edge thereof; and D. being arranged in a repeating color sequence on said medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medium defined in claim 17 and further including optical and/or electronic marks on said medium for controlling the frame position of the medium in the camera system and/or the read-out of image on the medium.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium defined in claim 30 wherein at least some of said marks are coded to designate frame numbers on the medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optoelectronic recording tape comprising A. a thin, flexible, optically clear substrate; B. a conductive layer covering the substrate and for connection electrically to voltage applying means; C. a photoconductive layer covering the conductive layer; and D. a dual-material dielectric storge layer covering the photoconductive layer, said storage layer including (1) an interfacial zone covering the photoconductive layer, and (2) a storage zone for exposure to an electron cloud, said interfacial zone permitting the tunnelling through it of photogenerated charges from the photoconductive layer during exposure of the tape under the influence of a strong electrical field resulting from the deposition of electrons from electron generating means on the surface of the storage zone and the application of voltage to the conductive layer whereby said charges are trapped at anisotropic storage positions in the undersurface of said storage zone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optoelectronic recording tape comprising A. a thin, flexible, optically clear substrate; B. a conductive layer covering the substrate and for connection electrically to voltage applying means; C. a photoconductive layer covering the conductive layer; and D. a dual-material dielectric storge layer covering the photoconductive layer, said storage layer including (1) an interfacial zone covering the photoconductive layer, and (2) a storage zone for exposure to an electron cloud, said interfacial zone permitting the tunnelling through it of photogenerated charges from the photoconductive layer during exposure of the tape under the influence of a strong electrical field resulting from the deposition of electrons from electron generating means on the surface of the storage zone and the application of voltage to the conductive layer whereby said charges are trapped at anisotropic storage positions in the undersurface of said storage zone.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optoelectronic recording tape as defined in claim 36 wherein said interfacial zone also inhibits electrical charges generated in said photoconductive layer after tape exposure when an electric field is not present from reaching said storage zone and upsetting the count of photogenerated charges trapped thereat during exposure of the tape.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of making an optoelectronic recording medium comprising the steps of A. forming a monocrystalline substrate layer as a very thin sheet or tape with a minimum number of internal lattice defects and with a high degree of surface perfection; B. growing a monocrystalline conductive layer or zone on a surface of said substrate layer from nucleation sites on said surface so as to continue the atomic spacing and internal perfection of the substrate layer; and C. growing a monocrystalline photoconductive light modulating layer or zone on said conductive layer so as to propagate the lattice arrangement and internal perfection of said conductive layer or zone thereby forming a hetero-epitaxially grown sheet or tape structure which is coherent with respect to its crystal morphology, but is layered or stratified with respect to its electrical and chemical characteristics.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
138 words
The method of making an optoelectronic recording medium comprising the steps of A. forming a monocrystalline substrate layer as a very thin sheet or tape with a minimum number of internal lattice defects and with a high degree of surface perfection; B. growing a monocrystalline conductive layer or zone on a surface of said substrate layer from nucleation sites on said surface so as to continue the atomic spacing and internal perfection of the substrate layer; and C. growing a monocrystalline photoconductive light modulating layer or zone on said conductive layer so as to propagate the lattice arrangement and internal perfection of said conductive layer or zone thereby forming a hetero-epitaxially grown sheet or tape structure which is coherent with respect to its crystal morphology, but is layered or stratified with respect to its electrical and chemical characteristics.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method defined in claim 34 and including the additional step of adding a dual-material dielectric storage layer to the exposed surface of the photoconductive layer so that the storage layer has an internal structure that is compatible with the photoconductive layer crystal lattice.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 35 wherein the dual-material storage layer is added with a sufficiently high degree of perfection that it is chargable electrically with exceptional uniformity.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method defined in claim 35 wherein the thicknesses of said layers are controlled so that one of said dielectric layer and said substrate layer is transparent and said medium is flexible enough to be rolled up into a small diameter roll.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method defined in claim 35 wherein each successive layer added to the substrate layer is deposited at a temperature lower than the one needed to produce the previous layer and all deposition temperatures are sufficiently low as not to melt or otherwise disturb the substrate layer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 32 wherein the thicknesses of the substrate layer and conductive layer are controlled so that those layers are transparent to light energy over a wide spectral range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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