Abstract

The development of an optical disk media suitable for applications in the computer industry requires the development of very high performance optical media and disk drive systems. Of major importance is the development of a media with sufficient sensitivity to be used with commercially available low cost and reliable lasers along with long life and reliability of data recoveries after extended periods of storage times. The overall performance of an optical disk is principally determined by the basic overall design as well as the selection of materials and processes used to manufacture the disk. Of particular importance is the need to develop a disk that has a highly stable operating performance in a wide range of environments, in particular the necessity to protect the recording layer from dust and other contaminations is critical in the error rate performance. This paper describes an overall disk design which promises to meet the stringent performance requirements for a computer compatible optical disk system. In addition, a relatively simple overall thermal and optical model will be developed to describe the behavior of the physical principles involved in the optical recording processes. This paper additionally will provide collaborating test and experimental evidence to confirm the validity of the analytical models. The significance of this paper involves the reporting of a full-up disk design, analytical models, and experimental evidence to confirm that a new disk design has been successfully achieved which promises to meet a high performance application.

© 1983 Optical Society of America