Optical information storage and retrieval
US4422159A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2007/24312
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A process employing bodies that are fabricated to have a specific configuration are useful for the storage of information such as digital data. In one embodiment a material, such as germanium, is etched to produce a structure having a multiplicity of columnar or conical features. By providing a sufficient number of these features per unit area, it is possible to store at a relatively high density a variety of information. This information storage is accomplished by melting the columns or cones in a localized area. If these structures are of the appropriate size and spacing, they appear optically absorbing before melting and a reflective region appears in the treated area. In this manner archival storage of densely packed information is possible.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.