Magneto-optic data storage technique
US4893299A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2007/25715
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical data storage medium is disclosed for use in an optical read/write system using an optical read wavelength of W, the medium including a textured region having raised areas and depressed areas disposed in a regular array with a period (pitch) not greater than W and a depth (peak-to-trough) in the range 10 to 1,000 nanometers. The medium comprises a substrate and a regular array of zones of magneto-optic material disposed at least over the peaks and troughs of the surface texture and conforming to the surface texture. In many embodiments, there is also a layer or a regular array of zones of an optically reflective material. In one embodiment, the texture is shallow, being generally in the range 10 to 120 nanometers. In a second embodiment, the depth of the texture is at least one tenth of the value of W. In any of the embodiments, there may be a dielectric layer over the top of the structure. The texture can take the form of a grating, or of crossed gratings, or be defined between an array of protuberances; structures with sinusoidal, square-wave (top-hat) or saw-tooth profile are advantageous.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.