Abstract

Optical storage systems offer higher storage densities than magnetics, magneto-optics being the most mature technology [1]. The most problematic parameter in magneto-optics based systems (and optics in general) is the low access time. This time is in part limited by the heavy polarization selective optical head involved. In other all-optical systems like phase change media, the main limitation to increase this access time is the time needed for erasure. Phase change storage media take advantage of the different optical properties which may be present in the amorphous and crystalline phases of a given compound. The erasing process is usually referred as the slow process since crystallization requires laser pulses long enough to trigger both nucleation and growth of crystals [2]. Current trends in the field include the development of materials which can crystalline under tenths of ns laser pulses [2,3].

© 1992 The Author(s)