Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of producing a metallic stamper for use in forming recording disc replicas, said method comprising the steps of: depositing a light-absorbing coating on a smooth, planar surface of a substrate, to form a recording disc, the light-absorbing coating including an explosive material and having a uniform thickness of less than about 6000 Å; rotating the recording disc in a prescribed fashion relative to a beam of light that is modulated in intensity in accordance with a data signal to be recorded in the light-absorbing coating, said coating being selectively heated by the beam to induce spaced explosions, therein, to form corresponding irregularities in the outer surface of the coating, said irregularities having sizes substantially smaller than five microns and being formed without the need for a separate step of chemically developing the coating; depositing an outer layer of metallic material on the recording disc, after the surface irregularities have been formed in the light-absorbing coating; and removing the outer metallic layer from the underlaying recording disc, to produce the metallic stamper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of producing a metallic stamper for use in forming recording disc replicas, said method comprising the steps of: depositing a light-absorbing coating on a smooth, planar surface of a substrate, to form a recording disc, the light-absorbing coating including an explosive material and having a uniform thickness of less than about 6000 Å; rotating the recording disc in a prescribed fashion relative to a beam of light that is modulated in intensity in accordance with a data signal to be recorded in the light-absorbing coating, said coating being selectively heated by the beam to induce spaced explosions, therein, to form corresponding irregularities in the outer surface of the coating, said irregularities having sizes substantially smaller than five microns and being formed without the need for a separate step of chemically developing the coating; depositing an outer layer of metallic material on the recording disc, after the surface irregularities have been formed in the light-absorbing coating; and removing the outer metallic layer from the underlaying recording disc, to produce the metallic stamper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said substrate includes a glass material; said method further includes an initial step of vacuum depositing on the smooth, planar surface of the substrate an inner layer of metallic material; and said light-absorbing coating is deposited on the outer surface of the inner metallic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 2, wherein: said inner metallic layer is formed of titanium; and said outer metallic layer includes a first layer formed of titanium, and a second layer, overlaying said first layer, formed of nickel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of depositing the outer metallic layer includes: an initial step of vacuum depositing by thermal evaporation a first metallic layer; and a final step of electro-plating a second metallic layer onto the first metallic layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 4, wherein: the first metallic layer includes a bottom layer formed of titanium and a top layer formed of nickel; and the second metallic layer is formed of nickel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of depositing the light-absorbing coating includes the steps of: depositing onto the substrate a liquid solution that includes the explosive material and a solvent; spinning the substrate at a first prescribed angular velocity until the liquid solution has achieved a substantially uniform thickness over the entire planar surface of the substrate; and spinning the substrate at a second prescribed angular velocity until the solvent in the liquid solution is substantially completely evaporated, leaving the light-absorbing coating deposited on the planar surface of the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein: the solvent includes cellosolve acetate; the liquid solution has an initial viscosity of about 3-5 centipoise; and said first and second prescribed angular velocities are about 1000 rpm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the light-absorbing coating deposited in the first step of depositing has a thickness of at least about 1000 Å.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the light-absorbing coating deposited in the first step of depositing has a thickness of about 1300 to 1400 Å.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface irregularities are pits having widths of about 0.3 microns.