EP0338776A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bump-forming media including thin intermediate reflective layer and methods for writing, reading, and erasing same
Assignee: Optical Data Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An optical data storage medium includes a triple layer recording structure (24) having an expansion layer (10), a retention layer (12) and a very thin reflective layer (28) interposed between the retention (12) and expansion (10) layers. The three layers are strongly bonded together so that the thermally and mechanically active expansion (10) and retention (12) layers can mechanically act upon each other through the intermediate reflective layer (28). The expansion (10) and retention (12) layers are dyed to selectively pass or absorb light of preselected wavelengths. The thin reflective layer (28) is adapted to partially pass and partially reflect light of preselected wavelengths.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Eugene Skiens
- 👤 Michael A. Lind
- 👤 John S. Hartman
- 👤 John W. Swanson
- 👤 Nancy E. Iwamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/245; G11B7/004; G11B7/0045; G11B7/00452; G11B7/246; G11B7/252; G11B7/258; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An optical recording medium including a triple layer recording structure (24) comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material; (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between said first and second layers; (d) said first (10), second (12) and third (28) layers cooperating as a medium for forming therein an optically detectable deformation by thermal expansion of said first material deforming said second (12) and third (28) layers without liquefaction or gasification of said first, second, or third materials when said first material is locally heated with light radiation of a first preselected wavelength L₁; characterized by (e) said first, second, and third materials being sufficiently bonded together so as to enable said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first material in expanded configuration upon cessation of said L₁ and cooling of said first material, retaining said optically detectable deformation, said second layer (12) being sufficiently strong and rigid to hold said first material in expanded condition, said third layer (28) including reflective means for enhancing the optical reflectance of said optically detectable deformation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An optical recording medium including a triple layer recording structure (24) comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material; (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between said first and second layers; (d) said first (10), second (12) and third (28) layers cooperating as a medium for forming therein an optically detectable deformation by thermal expansion of said first material deforming said second (12) and third (28) layers without liquefaction or gasification of said first, second, or third materials when said first material is locally heated with light radiation of a first preselected wavelength L₁; characterized by (e) said first, second, and third materials being sufficiently bonded together so as to enable said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first material in expanded configuration upon cessation of said L₁ and cooling of said first material, retaining said optically detectable deformation, said second layer (12) being sufficiently strong and rigid to hold said first material in expanded condition, said third layer (28) including reflective means for enhancing the optical reflectance of said optically detectable deformation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medium of claim 1, further characterized in that said reflective means includes a dye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medium of claim 1, further characterized in that said reflective means includes metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The medium of claim 1, further characterized by said first (10), second (12) and third (28) layers further cooperating as an erasable optical recording medium for relaxing said optically detectable deformation without liquefaction or gasification of said first, second, or third materials when said second material is locally heated with light of a second preselected wavelength L₂, said third layer (28) being sufficiently bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers to enable said first layer (10), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to pull said second layer (12) flat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The medium of claim 4, further characterized in that said second layer (12) is adapted to substantially transmit said L₁ and substantially absorb said L₂ and said third layer (28) is adapted to partially transmit and partially reflect L₁.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The medium of claim 4, further characterized in that said first layer (10) is adapted to substantially transmit said L₂, said third layer (28) is adapted to partially reflect and partially transmit said L₂ and said second layer (12) is adapted to substantially absorb said L₂.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for writing data in a medium using a focused light source comprising: (a) providing a triple layer recording structure (24) having a first layer (10) remote from said light source which is thermally expansible, said first layer (10) adapted to absorb light of a first preselected wavelength L₁, a second layer (12) proximate said light source which is glassy at ambient temperatures, and a third layer (28) interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers which has a refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said first (10) or second (12) layers; (b) locally exposing said recording structure to L₁ of a first preselected intensity; (c) permitting L₁ to substantially pass through said second layer (12) and at least partially pass through said third layer (28) and be absorbed in said first layer (10), locally heating and expanding said first layer (10); (d) permitting said expanding first layer (10) to swell and cause a deformation of said second (12) and third (28) layers; and characterized by (e) ceasing said L₁ and causing said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first layer (10) in stretched, expanded condition, thereby retaining said deformation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for writing data in a medium using a focused light source comprising: (a) providing a triple layer recording structure (24) having a first layer (10) remote from said light source which is thermally expansible, said first layer (10) adapted to absorb light of a first preselected wavelength L₁, a second layer (12) proximate said light source which is glassy at ambient temperatures, and a third layer (28) interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers which has a refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said first (10) or second (12) layers; (b) locally exposing said recording structure to L₁ of a first preselected intensity; (c) permitting L₁ to substantially pass through said second layer (12) and at least partially pass through said third layer (28) and be absorbed in said first layer (10), locally heating and expanding said first layer (10); (d) permitting said expanding first layer (10) to swell and cause a deformation of said second (12) and third (28) layers; and characterized by (e) ceasing said L₁ and causing said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first layer (10) in stretched, expanded condition, thereby retaining said deformation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 7 , further characterized by the steps of optically reading the data written in said triple layer recording structure (24) by: (a) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to L₁ of a second preselected intensity, lower than said first preselected intensity; (b) permitting L₁ to substantially pass through said second layer (12) and be partially reflected by said third layer (28); and (c) detecting the reflected portion of L₁.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of claim 7, further characterized by the steps of erasing data written in said triple layer recording structure (24) by: (a) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to light of a second preselected wavelength L₂; (b) causing said L₂ to be substantially absorbed in said second layer (12), locally heating said second layer (12) above its glass transition temperature ("T g ") without substantially heating said first layer (10), causing said second layer (12) to become rubbery and pliable and permitting said stretched first layer (10), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to pull said second (12) and third (28) layers flat, relaxing said deformation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for writing data in a medium using a focused light source comprising: (a) providing a triple layer recording structure (24) having a first layer (10) which is thermally expansible and adapted to absorb light of a first preselected wavelength L₁, a second layer (12) which is glassy at ambient temperatures, and a third layer (28) interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers which has a refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said first (10) or second (12) layers; (b) providing a substantially clear, substrate (14) intermediate said triple layer recording structure (24) and said source; (c) arranging said triple layer recording structure (24) so that said second layer (12) is remote from said source and said first layer (10) is proximate said source; (d) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to said L₁; (e) permitting said L₁ to substantially pass unabsorbed through said substrate (14) and be substantially absorbed by said first layer (10), locally heating said first layer (10) and causing it to expand, creating a deformation of said second (12) and third (28) layers in a direction away from said light source; and characterized by (f) ceasing L₁ and causing said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first layer (10) in stretched expanded condition after said first layer (10) has cooled.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for writing data in a medium using a focused light source comprising: (a) providing a triple layer recording structure (24) having a first layer (10) which is thermally expansible and adapted to absorb light of a first preselected wavelength L₁, a second layer (12) which is glassy at ambient temperatures, and a third layer (28) interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers which has a refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said first (10) or second (12) layers; (b) providing a substantially clear, substrate (14) intermediate said triple layer recording structure (24) and said source; (c) arranging said triple layer recording structure (24) so that said second layer (12) is remote from said source and said first layer (10) is proximate said source; (d) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to said L₁; (e) permitting said L₁ to substantially pass unabsorbed through said substrate (14) and be substantially absorbed by said first layer (10), locally heating said first layer (10) and causing it to expand, creating a deformation of said second (12) and third (28) layers in a direction away from said light source; and characterized by (f) ceasing L₁ and causing said second layer (12), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to hold said first layer (10) in stretched expanded condition after said first layer (10) has cooled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 10, further characterized by the steps of optically reading the data written in said triple layer recording structure (24) by: (a) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to light of a second preselected wavelength L₂ of a first preselected intensity; (b) permitting said L₂ to substantially pass unabsorbed through said substrate (14) and said first layer (10); (c) partially reflecting said L₂ by said third layer (28); and (d) detecting the reflected portion of said L₂.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method of claim 11, further characterized by the further steps of erasing said data from said triple layer recording structure (24) by: (a) locally exposing said triple layer recording structure (24) to said L₂ at a second preselected intensity greater than said first preselected intensity; (b) permitting said L₂ to substantially pass through said substrate (14) and said first layer (10), to at least partially pass through said third layer (28), and to be absorbed by said second layer (12), heating said second layer (12) and causing it to become pliable; and (c) causing said first layer (10), through said third layer (28) bonded thereto, to pull said second (12) and third (28) layers flat, erasing said deformation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
An optical recording medium of the type adapted to record data from a focused light source comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material remote from said light source, said first polymer material having a first refractive index and including first dye means for absorbing light of a first preselected wavelength L₁; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material proximate to said light source, said second polymer material having a second refractive index; and characterized by (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers, said third layer (28) having a third refractive index which is substantially different from the refractive indices of one of said first or second materials.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
An optical recording medium of the type adapted to record data from a focused light source comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material remote from said light source, said first polymer material having a first refractive index and including first dye means for absorbing light of a first preselected wavelength L₁; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material proximate to said light source, said second polymer material having a second refractive index; and characterized by (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers, said third layer (28) having a third refractive index which is substantially different from the refractive indices of one of said first or second materials.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The medium of claim 13, further characterized in that said first layer (10) is adapted to absorb light of said first preselected wavelength L₁, said second layer (12) is adapted to substantially transmit said L₁, and said third layer (28) is adapted to partially reflect and partially transmit L₁.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The medium of claim 13, further characterized by (a) a substrate (14) adapted to pass L₁ substantially unabsorbed arranged between said second layer (12) and said light source; and (b) an elastic compression layer (30) adapted to pass L₁ substantially unabsorbed interposed between and bonded to said substrate (14) and second layer (12).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The medium of claim 15, further characterized by a reflective layer (32) interposed between said substrate (14) and said compression layer (30), said reflective layer (32) having a refractive index which is substantially different from the refractive index of one of said substrate (14) or said compression layer (30).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical recording medium of the type adapted to record data from a focused light source comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material proximate said source, said first polymer material having a first refractive index including first dye means for absorbing light of a first preselected wavelength L₁; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material remote from said source, said second polymer material having a second refractive index; characterized by (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers, said third layer (28) having a third refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said second (12) or first (10) layers; and (d) said first layer (10) having a thickness not substantially greater than one skin depth.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical recording medium of the type adapted to record data from a focused light source comprising: (a) a first layer (10) of a first polymer material proximate said source, said first polymer material having a first refractive index including first dye means for absorbing light of a first preselected wavelength L₁; (b) a second layer (12) of a second polymer material remote from said source, said second polymer material having a second refractive index; characterized by (c) a third layer (28) of a third material interposed between and bonded to said first (10) and second (12) layers, said third layer (28) having a third refractive index substantially different from the refractive index of one of said second (12) or first (10) layers; and (d) said first layer (10) having a thickness not substantially greater than one skin depth.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The medium of claim 17, further characterized by a substrate (14) adapted to pass L₁ substantially unabsorbed arranged between said first layer (10) and said light source, said substrate (14) having a refractive index which is substantially similar to said first refractive index.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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