Abstract: A stamper manufacturing method comprises: forming a stamper body so as to have a concave/convex pattern on one surface and a crystalline structure on at least a side toward the other surface; forming a layer having an amorphous structure on the other surface side of the stamper body; and polishing a surface of the layer having the amorphous structure. A resin molded article manufacturing method includes an injection molding process using the stamper as a prototype so as to transfer the concave/convex pattern of the stamper to a resin material. A stamper comprises a stamper body which is formed so as to have a concave/convex pattern on one surface and have a crystalline structure on at least a side toward the other surface. In the stamper, a layer having an amorphous structure and a surface of which is polished is formed on the other surface side of the stamper body.

Abstract: There is provided a stamper on which stamper-side concave/convex patterns are formed and which is capable of manufacturing an information recording medium on which at least servo patterns are formed by concave/convex patterns. First convex parts that are continuously formed along a direction corresponding to a radial direction of the information recording medium are formed in the stamper-side concave/convex patterns. Each of the first convex parts is formed so that a height of a part of the first convex part from a reference plane, which is set between a front surface and a rear surface of the stamper, to protruding end of the first convex part increases as a length of the part of the first convex part in a direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the information recording medium increases.

Abstract: A flexible optical disk, includes a disk substrate, wherein a rigidity of the disk is equal to or more than 5 Pa and equal to or less than 5000 Pa where the rigidity is defined as Young's modulus of the disk×(thickness of the disk/radius of the disk)3.

Abstract: An optical disc for micro-holographic data storage, including: optically-enabled material configured to store holographic data; guide grooves; a first coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam; and a second coating disposed to cover the guide grooves and disposed on the first coating.

Abstract: An optical disk is constructed such that a thin film including a reflective layer is formed on a substrate, or on a thermoplastic resin layer on the substrate. A stamper having an asperity pattern corresponding to information signals is directly pressed against the thin film to transfer the asperity pattern on the thin film. Heat-pressing the stamper against the thin film makes it possible to further accurately transfer the asperity of the stamper to the reflective layer with less pressing force in the case where the reflective layer is formed on a thermoplastic resin layer.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical recording medium, includes: filling a plurality of spaces with a liquid photosensitive material, wherein each of the plurality of spaces is surrounded by a surface of a sheet material and partition walls that are formed on the surface of the sheet material for separating a plurality of recording areas, and the surface of the sheet material has recessed parts at positions where the plurality of recording areas is to be formed, each of the recessed parts protruding and deformed to a back surface side of the sheet material so as to have a volume in relation to a volumetric shrinkage factor of the photosensitive material; and pressing a member having a substantially flat surface to a back surface of the sheet material to make the recessed parts substantially flat and heating and hardening the photosensitive material to form the plurality of recording areas.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a stamper for a magnetic recording media has patterns of protrusions and recesses to manufacture a discrete track recording type magnetic recording media having servo areas including an address portion, a preamble portion and a burst portion, and data areas including a recording track portion, the patterns of protrusions and recesses being formed at a pitch of 400 nm or less, in which a magnitude relation of depths of recesses corresponding to the address portion, the preamble portion, the burst portion and the recording track portion is inverted to a magnitude relation of area ratios of the protrusions to the recesses in the address portion, the preamble portion, the burst portion and the recording track portion.

Abstract: A boundary lubricant film 1 is formed on a stamper 22 contact portion of a stationary mirror 21 and/or a stationary mirror 21 contact portion of the stamper 22. The boundary lubricant film 1 contains one of kinds of phosphate esters. A material is injected into a cavity 14. As a result, a disc substrate for an optical disc is molded.

Abstract: To produce an optical recording medium having a good concavo-convex shape whereby optical information recording/retrieving is stabilized. A process for producing an optical recording medium 100 provided with an interlayer 104 having a concavo-convex shape, which comprises a step of forming a recording layer 102 on a substrate 101 directly or via another layer; a step of placing a resin material layer 104a and a stamper 110 having a concavo-convex shape for transfer, in this order on the recording layer 102, and curing the resin material layer 104a in this laminated state to obtain a bonded body 112 comprising the substrate 101, the recording layer 102, the resin material layer 104a and the stamper 110, and a step of separating the stamper 110 from the resin material layer 104a so that the concavo-convex shape for transfer is transferred to the resin material layer 104a, and applying surface modification treatment to promote the curing of the resin material layer 104a, to form the interlayer 104.

Abstract: An imprint embossing alignment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a die having a bottom surface, an embossing foil positioned above the bottom surface, and a mandrel, to receive the substrate, having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die. The system also includes a ball bushing positioned around the rod portion and a ring portion positioned between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical disc master using an existing exposure system, and a method for manufacturing an optical disc having higher recording capacity. The method for manufacturing an optical disc, using a master to produce the optical disc having an irregular pattern thereon, the master being produced by the steps of forming a resist layer composed of a resist material including an incomplete oxide of a transition metal such as W or Mo on a substrate, the oxygen content of the incomplete oxide being smaller than the oxygen content of the stoichiometric composition corresponding to a valence of the transition metal; selectively exposing the resist layer with laser according to a recording signal pattern; and developing the resist layer to form the predetermined irregular pattern.

Abstract: A BCA mark is applied prior to molding of optical recording media. A stamper including a BCA code is formed. The stamper including the BCA code is used in the molding of optical recording discs. This technique can be used in manufacturing of read-only type discs, recordable discs, rewritable discs, hybrid discs, discs readable from both disc sides, discs having multiple information layers, high-density discs, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a pattern of minute surface structures, using a pair of press members which are located opposingly for movements toward and away from each other. One press member is adapted to support thereon a mold having on a transfer surface a master pattern of minute structures to be transferred, while the other press member is adapted to support thereon an annular substrate plate having a curable resin layer coated thereon and to press the resin layer against the transfer surface of the mold to transfer said minute structures to the resin layer. The mod is provided with a circular center hole defining at least three small-diameter segments and three large-diameter segments alternately and at uniform angular intervals along an inner periphery of the mold. The annular substrate plate has an inside diameter exactly matching with the small-diameter segments at the inner periphery of the mold.

Abstract: A method of producing a master information carrier by scanning a track a number of times. The method produces a master information carrier has a pattern of a magnetic layer representing information to be transferred to a high-density recording slave medium where the track width is not larger than 0.3 ?m. The pattern is drawn by scanning a given track a plurality of times with an electron beam whose drawing diameter is smaller than the track width.

Abstract: Preventing a molded disc substrate from generating a separation pattern. To this end, a molding die 1 includes a pair of stationary die 6 and movable die 7, and an outer circumference ring 16 for molding an outer circumference end of the disc substrate 2. The outer circumference ring 16 is so mounted as to be movable along forward and backward directions in parallel with a moving direction of the movable die 7 toward the stationary die 6, and has a retaining surface 39 for retaining the outer circumference of the molded disc substrate 2.

Abstract: When manufacturing an optical recording medium by forming a resin layer on a surface of a substrate and then forming a center hole that passes through the substrate and the resin layer, a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium according to the present invention forms the center hole by forming, in the resin layer, a circular cut with a larger diameter than the center hole so as to surround a formation position of the center hole and then pressing in a punching blade for forming the center hole from a rear surface side of the substrate. By doing so, detachment of the resin layer and the production of burrs at or near the center hole can be avoided while reducing the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to strip off a stamper stuck on a resin layer for groove formation during the manufacture of an optical disc from the resin layer without imparting damage or the like to the stamper. The present invention achieves this object by having the steps of bringing about a state in which the stamper protrudes from a substrate by a predetermined width, rotating the substrate with the back surface of the disc-shaped substrate attracted and held, elevating rollers capable of rolling relative to a contacting surface contacting with the protruding portion simultaneously with the rotation, and continuously applying a force working in a direction to separate the protruding portion from the substrate in the circumferential direction of the stamper.

Abstract: Micro-protrusions, which constitute a diffractive microstructure, are produced by embossing the surface layer of a substrate by an embossing member having microgrooves in such a way that the cross-sectional area of a produced micro-protrusion is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the microgroove producing said micro-protrusion. Thus, the embossing pressure is small, the risk of adhesion is reduced, it is possible to use a low embossing temperature, and microstructures may be produced at a high speed. Furthermore, the same embossing member may be used for producing a low microstructure, a normal microstructure, and a high microstructure.

Abstract: An optical disk is constructed such that a thin film including a reflective layer is formed on a substrate, or on a thermoplastic resin layer on the substrate. A stamper having an asperity pattern corresponding to information signals is directly pressed against the thin film to transfer the asperity pattern on the thin film. Heat-pressing the stamper against the thin film makes it possible to further accurately transfer the asperity of the stamper to the reflective layer with less pressing force in the case where the reflective layer is formed on a thermoplastic resin layer.

Abstract: A nanoimprinting system incorporates a patterned media contact architecture to provide a uniform imprinting pressure across the target imprinting area on a disk substrate. The system leverages the unique disk substrate characteristic of an inner diameter hole by incorporating a membrane suspension, gel-pad buffering, and air cushion loading that exploits the inner diameter hole characteristics of the disk substrate. This design dramatically increases the uniformity of the pressing pressure across the target imprinting area. As a result, a simple and effective improvement of the quality of the patterns imprinted on the recording disk substrate is realized.

Abstract: An optical disk is constructed such that a thin film including a reflective layer is formed on a substrate, or on a thermoplastic resin layer on the substrate. A stamper having an asperity pattern corresponding to information signals is directly pressed against the thin film to transfer the asperity pattern on the thin film. Heat-pressing the stamper against the thin film makes it possible to further accurately transfer the asperity of the stamper to the reflective layer with less pressing force, in the case where the reflective layer is formed on the thermoplastic resin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device according to the preambles of claims 1 and 10, and also to the use of a nanopatterned die, a disc with a defined nanopattern and a hard disk drive comprising a disc of this type. In order to propose a more rapidly operating device as well as a corresponding method in which the smallest-possible patterns can be applied to discs, and in order to provide discs, which are produced as cost-effectively as possible, for hard disk drives, said discs having smaller patterns and thus being able to be produced rapidly and cost-effectively, the invention proposes using microcontact printing (?CP) in the production of micropatterned and/or nanopatterned products/substrates of this type.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus and a fixing method are disclosed for performing a fixing process on a holographic recording medium with an optically recordable recording layer. The fixing apparatus includes a light source which illuminates the recording layer with fixing light, and at least one reflecting mirror which reflects the fixing light passing through the recording layer and makes the fixing light go back again toward the recording layer.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for manufacturing a nano-plate. The method includes depositing two or more types of film around a central core to form a plurality of film layers, each film layer being of a different type than its adjacent layers. Next, the deposited film layers are sectioned to expose a patterned surface. Finally, the patterned surface is then planarized and selectively etched to form a relief pattern which can be used as an imprint stamp.

Abstract: Provided is an optical recording medium having a recording layer, an intermediate layer, an adhesive layer and a cover sheet in this order on a substrate, wherein the thickness t1 of the intermediate layer after a high-temperature high-humidity storage test satisfies the relationship: 0.8t?t1?1.2t wherein t is the thickness of the intermediate layer before the high-temperature high-humidity storage test.

Abstract: A dual-layer recordable optical disc includes a first recording layer and a second recording layer disposed on the first recording layer. The first recording layer is made of organic material, and the second recording layer is made of inorganic material. The optical disc may further includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a bonding layer. The first recording layer includes a dye recording layer disposed on the first substrate, and a first reflection layer disposed on the dye recording layer, whereas the second recording layer includes an inorganic recording layer and a second reflection layer disposed on the inorganic recording layer. In addition, the second substrate is disposed on the second reflection layer, and the bonding layer is disposed between the first reflection layer and the inorganic recording layer. A manufacturing process of the optical disc is also provided to increase production yield and lower manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Double-sided optical discs, such as a DVD-18 disc, are mass produced with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side of the discs are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, so that they are mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while normal data reading is proceeding. The process for making the discs includes forming master discs corresponding to the data layers and using these master discs to produce molded optical discs.

Abstract: Two substrates are simultaneously produced by an injection molding apparatus, and the injection-molded substrates are alternately arranged and cooled by a cooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus has a feed screw mechanism for feeding the alternately arranged substrates in one direction while cooling air is being applied to the substrates. An information recording medium which includes a substrate is manufactured on a production line having a single injection molding apparatus for simultaneously injection-molding two substrates and four dye solution coating machines for forming a dye recording layer for recording information on each of the substrates.

Abstract: A liquid-form adhesive, which is a raw material of the cover layer, is supplied to a plate surface of the disc substrate, which has been set on a turntable, after which a dummy substrate is set on the disc substrate. The dummy substrate is positioned to be concentric with the disc substrate. A setting surface of the dummy substrate is disposed to face the plate surface. In this state, the disc substrate is rotated together with the dummy substrate by rotation of the turntable, and the adhesive is spread to an outer peripheral side of the disc substrate by centrifugal force. Thus, the adhesive fills a space between the plate surface and the setting surface, and is spin-coated on the plate surface. Irregularities in thickness of the applied adhesive are suppressed by the setting surface of the dummy substrate.

Abstract: A die for molding a disk substrate capable of forming fine recessed and projected pits and grooves up to the outer periphery of the disk substrate by preventing low heat conductive elements from peeling off and burrs from occurring on the outer periphery thereof. The die includes a first base die, a second base die disposed oppositely to the first base die, a first low heat conductive element fixed to the first base die, a stamper fixed onto the first low heat conductive element, a second low heat conductive element fixed onto the second base die, and a ring-like regulating member fitted to and in slidable contact with either of the first and second low heat conductive elements. The die is characterized in that the end part of the ring-shaped regulating member is positioned within the range of the outer peripheral side face of the low heat conductive element in slidable contact therewith.

Abstract: In an optical disc molding device, a heating medium from a low-temperature controller is made to flow in temperature controlling flow passages (passages 3a) formed at locations corresponding to boundary parts of two fixed molds 7 mounted parallel to each other on a fixed platen 3 and in temperature controlling flow passages (passages 6a) formed at locations corresponding to boundary parts of two movable molds 8 mounted parallel to each other on a movable platen 6 to supplement heat exchange.

Abstract: An injection-moulding tool for the production of a mould in disc form, in particular in the form of information carriers such as CDs and/or DVDs, wherein the injection-moulding tool comprises a first and a second mirror block, wherein the first and second mirror blocks lie opposite each other and are movable in relation to each other for the opening and closing of the mould, and means for actively controlling the temperature of at least one of the first and second mirror blocks. A method for producing mouldings in disc form utilizing the injection-moulding tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of performing imprint lithography of a surface substrate includes a stamper having a thin lubricant coating thereon to facilitate release of the stamper from the imprinted surface to reduce degradation of image replication. Embodiments of the invention include stampers suitable for use in patterning servo information on magnetic recording media having a lubricant coating of from about 1 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: A wound laminate obtained by laminating a plastic film composed of an aromatic polycarbonate comprising bisphenol A as an aromatic dihydroxy component, and a protective film composed of an aromatic polyester, using an intervening adhesive having a weak adhesive strength of 3-50 gf (0.0294-0.49 N), and winding the laminate. The wound laminate is used as a transparent protective layer (protective film) for an optical disk to fabricate a film surface side-incident optical disk.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a multilayer optical recording medium, which is capable of producing the recording medium with high accuracy of distances between layers without necessity of disposing stampers, and which includes the steps of (a) forming a resin layer with respect to a support substrate; (b) disposing a stamper on the resin layer and irradiating a light beam thereto through the support substrate or the stamper to transfer an unevenness pattern of the stamper to the resin layer; (c) forming a recording layer on the resin layer; (d) repeating the steps (a) to (c) n times to stack n layers of resin layer with recording layer on the support substrate; (e) bonding a base substrate to the n-th recording layer through an adhesive layer; and (f) peeling off the support substrate.

Abstract: A stamper is formed so that a thickness between a concave/convex pattern formation surface, where a concave/convex pattern is formed, and a rear surface gradually decreases in a predetermined area of the stamper. The predetermined area corresponds to an area where pressure is likely to be concentrated when the concave/convex pattern of the stamper is used to form a concave/convex pattern on a substrate. A method of forming a concave/convex pattern uses such stamper, and a method of manufacturing an information recording medium uses a concave/convex pattern formed by such method.

Abstract: A concave/convex pattern forming method which is capable of forming a concave/convex pattern on a substrate with high accuracy without causing deformation or faulty transfer of the concave/convex pattern. A concave/convex pattern is formed on an preform by pressing a stamper having a stamper-side concave/convex pattern formed thereon against a resin layer on the preform, thereby transferring the stamper-side concave/convex pattern to the resin layer. The resin layer is formed by coating the preform with a mixed resin material which is prepared by mixing a first resin material having a glass transition is temperature lower than a temperature of the resin layer during pressing of the stamper against the resin layer, and a second resin material having a glass transition temperature higher than the temperature of the resin layer during the pressing of the stamper against the resin layer.

Abstract: An injection molding tool is described for the production of disc-like information carriers, in particular in the form of CD's and/or DVD's. The injection molding tool has a first and a second mirror block which form the cavity and which are located opposite to each other and which, for allowing an opening and a closure of the cavity, are movable relative to each other. In addition to that it has a form ring which encloses the first mirror block concentrically, and which borders the cavity towards its outer edge, and which is movable relative to the first mirror block, wherein between the first mirror block and the form ring enclosing it a sliding ring is provided for the reduction of friction if the form ring moves relative to the first mirror block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: A method of producing a stamper, an optical recording medium produced by molding using the stamper, and a method of producing the same, wherein a base member having a mirror polished main surface and comprising silicon or glass is formed with a resist film; the resist film is exposed by a focused electron beam, an ultraviolet ray laser, etc. and developed so as to form a resist film of a pattern corresponding to relief shapes; the mirror surface of the base member is processed to relief shapes (projecting regions and recessed regions) by dry etching etc. using the obtained resist film as a mask so as to obtain a stamper; the obtained stamper is used for injection molding to form a medium substrate; and an optical recording multilayer film and a protective layer are formed to thereby produce an optical recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming textured surfaces in a polymeric surfaces. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for forming textured surfaces in a polymeric surfaces and faithfully replicating the textured surfaces in the surfaces of sol-gel films on the surfaces of very hard materials, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic substrates.

Abstract: A molded lens used in an optical pickup device provided with a plane of incidence having a first optical surface and a plane of emergence having a second optical surface, and a form of an outer circumference of the molded lens is formed by a first straight line portion which is in parallel substantially with a plane including an optical axis, a second straight line portion which is in parallel with the first straight line portion and is symmetric with the first straight line portion about the plane and by two circular arcs each connecting end portions of the first and second straight line portions. A part of a fringe of each of the first and second optical surfaces is substantially in a form of a circle whose center is on the optical axis is cut off by each of the first and second straight line portions.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediate for an optical recording medium, which can be uniformly coated with resin by the spin coating method without using a resin coating-assisting member, and allows formation of a central mounting hole without burrs. The intermediate comprises a hollow cylindrical protruding portion protruding from one surface on which functional layers are formed and a circular recess formed in a central portion of the other surface and having a diameter equal to that of the central mounting hole, and a temporary central hole formed to extend through a central portion of the recess and having a diameter smaller than that of the recess. The protruding portion has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole and an inner diameter not smaller than the diameter of the temporary central hole, and has a central axis thereof substantially aligned with a center of the temporary central hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for repairing and removing scratches from an optically-read disc, e. g., compact discs (often called “CD's” or “DVD's” such that when refurbished, an optical reader, which uses a laser to read digital information stored on the disc, can read the digital information on the disc without the optical distortion caused by a scratch and like surface imperfection.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical disk master including fabricating a precursor formed from a substrate including at least one layer of metallic material and having at least one protuberance or indentation guiding track; preparing the precursor by superposing on the substrate at least one layer of a first material and a second material different from the first material; eroding at least a portion of a surface of one of the materials to only allow to subsist one of the materials at a site of the guiding tracks; depositing on the surface a reactive resin; personalizing the precursor by structuring the reactive surface as a function of information specific to the master to locally eliminate the reactive resin; performing etching zones of the second material at a site of unmasked guiding tracks; and eliminating subsisting deposits of resin and the first material outside of the zones where it is covered by the second material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for producing precision parts, especially flat optical data carriers. According to the inventive method, the embossing procedure is program-controlled on the basis of the path function of an electromechanical or hydraulic drive of the driven mold half. When a servomotor is used, the internal path signal thereof can be directly used for calculating the path function or for operating the program control. The novel method allows for a complete speed control of the embossing phase. All factors that can be mechanically influenced from the exterior are detected in more detail for the conditions before and during the embossing phase, thereby allowing for an optimum precision and reproducibility.

Abstract: An optical information medium includes a disk-shaped substrate (100) having a center hole (101), an annular information recording area thereon, and an annular resin-based light-transmitting layer (102) thereon by which recording/reading laser beam is transmitted to the information recording area. The light-transmitting layer (102) terminates at a radially inner periphery which forms an annular raised rim (6). The rim is effective for protecting the light-transmitting layer from damages and dust adhesion, and when a plurality of such media are stacked, preventing the media from intimate contact.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a die assembly for molding optical disc substrates, wherein formation of a burr perpendicular to a reading surface that is opposite to a signal surface of each optical disc substrate can be prevented and two signal surfaces can be bonded together satisfactorily. To that end, in a die assembly for molding optical disc substrates that comprises an outer circumferential stamper holder 25 having: a stamper holding portion 34 that holds an outer circumferential edge portion 26E of a stamper 26 disposed on a specular plate 24; and an inner circumferential portion 33 that defines an outer circumferential end 27E of a molding cavity 27, the inner circumferential portion 33 of the outer circumferential stamper holder is provided with a projecting portion 35 having an acute cross-section that consists of a smooth surface projecting into the molding cavity 27 toward the stamper holding portion 34.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are data storage media and methods of making the same. The data storage media, comprises: primary surface features disposed on at least one side of said data storage media; and secondary features superimposed over at least a portion of said surface features. In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing the data storage media comprises: disposing an identifier layer onto a surface of a stamper, said stamper having primary surface features on a first side of said stamper opposite said identifier layer; forming secondary features on an exposed surface of said identifier layer; installing said stamper into a mold; injecting a molten plastic material into the mold, wherein said molten plastic physically contacts said first side; cooling said plastic to form said data storage media, such that a positive image of said primary surface features and of said secondary features are formed into at least a portion of a surface of said plastic; and releasing said data storage media from said mold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a manufacturing process for optical data storage disks that makes use of a check disk very early in the production cycle. The check disk can be replicated directly from the master without destroying the master. The check disk may then be tested in order to validate the pattern created on the master. In some cases, the check disk may be delivered to customers, allowing the customers to verify the check disk. Once the check disk has been verified, the master can be used to create one or more stampers, which can be used in a mass production process for creating optical data storage disks. However, if the check disk is defective or otherwise not acceptable, the production cycle can be halted prior to creating any stampers. In this manner, the invention can be used to avoid creation of defective stampers or other defective mass production tools.