Thermoplastic optical recording system
US4146930A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 1977 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C13/047
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for and a method of optically recording or writing data into a thermoplastic layer is disclosed. The recording medium is fabricated as an integral part of the face of a cathode ray tube (CRT) and includes a layer of thermoplastic material that is thermoplastically responsive to a heating light beam having a wavelength within the infrared (IR) range and that is a dielectric capable of storing charges corresponding to a data-containing charging (electron) beam. The thermoplastic layer is first selectively exposed to the charging (electron) beam for spatially selectively electrically charging the exposed surface of the thermoplastic layer and is then softened by the heating (IR) beam causing the charged, softened surface to distort under the forces of the data-bearing charge. An additional heat conductive layer, which is non-responsive to the heating (IR) beam, ensures fast heat transfer of the heat in the thermoplastic layer to a cooperating, coolant controlled heat sink, both of which combine to provide rapid cooling of the heat exposed portion. This ensures a short-duration, erase-write-read cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.