Abstract: The present invention provides an optical recording medium that includes a recording layer composed mainly of an organic compound and can utilize blue-violet semiconductor laser light (390 to 420 nm in wavelength) as recording/reproducing laser light. The present invention also provides an optical recording/reproducing method using the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium 1 comprises at least a supporting substrate 2; a recording layer 3 on the supporting substrate 2, the recording layer 3 containing an organic compound as a major component; and a light-transmitting layer 5 on the recording layer 3, the light-transmitting layer 5 being capable of transmitting laser light with a wavelength of 390 to 420 nm for recording and reproducing information.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: In a single-sided incident type optical recording medium having a plurality of dye containing recording layers, sufficient reflectance and excellent recording characteristics necessary to record or read information in or from a dye containing recording layer positioning farther from a side from which a light beam comes in can be obtained. The optical recording medium has a first substrate (21) having a guide groove, a first dye containing recording layer (22), a semitransparent reflective layer (23), an intermediate layer (24), a second dye containing recording layer (25), a reflective layer (26) and a second substrate (27) having a guide groove. Information is recorded or read in or from the first dye containing recording layer (22) and the second dye containing recording layer (25) by irradiating the light beam from the first substrate's side. The depth of the guide groove on the second substrate is within a range from 1/100 ×? to 1/6 ×? where ? represents the recording/reading wavelength.

Abstract: A hybrid disk useable with a recording and or reproducible apparatus having an optical pickup. The hybrid disk includes a first recording layer having a first format on which data is recordable or readable by a first format beam and a second recording layer having a second format on which the data is recordable or readable by a second format beam. The transmivities and reflectivities of the first and second recording layers are interrelated to control relative intensities of the first and second format beams incident on the optical pickup.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access to a storage medium, such as an optically readable medium. Light sensitive or other materials that are adapted to change state and affect reading of a storage medium are used to control access to data that may be stored on optical medium and/or to control use of the medium.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a piezoelectric film (101) having a surface (111) including a halogen. In one embodiment, the halogen exists in an atomic concentration of at least approximately 10 percent. The result is a hydrophobic surface conducive to long-lasting scanning probe tips, low contamination, and stable surface charge. A data storage device incorporating the data storage medium includes an enclosure (205) containing the data storage medium and an adjacent scanning probe (230) wherein the enclosure has a relative humidity of at least approximately 40 percent and at least a portion of the scanning probe is coated with a layer of water.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical-recording medium in which problems such as cross-write, i.e., signals are recorded wrongly on adjacent tracks, and cross-erase i.e., recording signals on adjacent tracks are erased wrongly, can be solved, and which enables high-density recording; a method for producing the optical-recording medium; and a method for recording and reproducing an optical-recording medium. To achieve this object, the optical-recording medium includes a substrate, an optical-absorption layer which absorbs light and generates heat on or above the substrate, a recording layer, and record-blocking portions which block recording on the recording layer, in which the record-blocking portions are disposed between the recording layer and the optical-absorption layer, and between adjacent tracks, and recording marks are formed on the recording layer by the optical absorption function of the optical-absorption layer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an information recording/reproduction device for implementing high-density information recording and reading using mutual interaction of a recording medium with near field light, and particularly to a near field optical head with a high optical efficiency and a manufacturing method thereof. This is achieved by enabling an energy propagation mechanism via a plasmon by forming a layer dispersed with metal particulate at a microscopic opening generating near field light, and therefore increase optical efficiency.

Abstract: An optically detectable information recording medium is at least comprised of a substrate and a recording layer, wherein a surface of the recording layer opposite to another surface of the recording layer in contact with the substrate has a Root Mean Square roughness R? of less than 5 nm, and wherein the recording layer has dye recording material selected from cyanine dye, phthalocyanine dye, naphtalocyanine dye, azo dye, naphtoquinone dye, fulgide dye, polymethyne dye, and acridine dye.

Abstract: Image formation via photoinduced fluorescence changes in a polymeric medium with two-photon fluorescence readout of a multi-layer structure. Fluorophore-containing polymers, possessing one or more basic functional groups, underwent protonation in the presence of a photoinduced acid generator upon exposure to a broad-band UV light source or fast-pulsed red to near-IR laser irradiation. Solution studies demonstrated formation of monoprotonated and diprotonated species upon irradiation, each resulting in distinctly different absorption and fluorescence properties. The fluorescence of the original, neutral, fluorophore was reduced upon monoprotonation leading to a concomitant increase in fluorescence at longer wavelengths due to the monoprotonated form, the basis for multichannel data readout.

Abstract: Ternary optical data storage method and apparatus for Write Once Read Many Times (WORM) optical data storage with two-photon fluorescent writing and readout. The data storage capacity is limited by the optical resolution of a system. In CD/DVD systems, an increase in the aerial data density has been primarily achieved by decreasing the bit dimension. However, the size of the optical spot (bit) is restricted by limitations imposed by the diffraction of light (Rayleigh criterion). Therefore, technologies that can effectively create and detect spot sizes beyond the diffraction limit (sub-Rayleigh) hold promise to achieving high-density optical storage.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus includes a recording medium which includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer formed on one surface of the substrate, a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and is made to accumulate electric charge, an electrode layer formed on the other surface, and an insulating area which penetrates the insulating layers; and an electrode which applies a voltage to the medium. A depth from an interface between the substrate and the first insulating layer to the bottom of the insulating area is more than a maximum depth of a depletion layer, Wmax represented by Wmax=?{square root over (2?0?i×2|?f|/qNd)} where ?0, ?i, |?f|, q, and Nd are a dielectric constant of vacuum, a relative dielectric constant, an absolute value of the Felmi potential of the substrate, an electric charge of an electron, and an impurity concentration of the substrate, respectively.

Abstract: A pirated optical recording medium may be determined which is produced by physically transferring a shape of pits and lands formed on a substrate of an optical recording medium. The optical recording medium is provided with excellent weatherability and long-term storage reliability. A reflective film formed of an Ag alloy film of Ag100-x-yXxCuy, where X is at least one element among Ti, W, Ta, V, Mo, Nb and Zr, is formed on a substrate on which main data is recorded with a combination of pits and lands. A mark may be formed so that a reproduction signal level in the recorded mark of auxiliary data write once recorded on the reflective film is increased, and a reproduction signal level is decreased in an optical recording medium prepared by physically transferring the surface shape of the pits and lands of the substrate. A pirated optical recording medium may be determined in this manner.

Abstract: Image formation via photoinduced fluorescence changes in a polymeric medium with two-photon fluorescence readout of a multi-layer structure. Fluorophore-containing polymers, possessing one or more basic functional groups, underwent protonation in the presence of a photoinduced acid generator upon exposure to a broad-band UV light source or fast-pulsed red to near-IR laser irradiation. Solution studies demonstrated formation of monoprotonated and diprotonated species upon irradiation, each resulting in distinctly different absorption and fluorescence properties. The fluorescence of the original, neutral, fluorophore was reduced upon monoprotonation, leading to a concomitant increase in fluorescence at longer wavelengths due to the monoprotonated form, the basis for multichannel data readout.

Abstract: An optical recording medium illuminated by light from a light source as near-field light using a focusing lens whose numerical aperture exceeds 1 to perform recording and/or reproduction is provided, wherein a composite layer in which a high refractive index material portion having a refractive index higher than that of a light-transmissible material portion is mixed in the light-transmissible material portion is provided on the surface of a light incident side of the optical recording medium. With an average refractive index of the composite layer being high, a numerical aperture controlled by a refractive index of a surface layer can be made large to obtain higher resolution and higher durability against contact with a lens or the like.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength no longer than 530 nm 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided.

Abstract: A cyanine compound represented by formula (I): wherein ring A and ring B each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthalene ring; R1, R2, R3, and R4 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, or R1 and R2 are taken together, or R3 and R4 are taken together, to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is a substituted benzyl group; Y1 and Y2 each represent an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Anm? represents an m-valent anion; m represents an integer 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient for maintaining overall charge neutrality.

Abstract: To provide an optical information recording medium on which visual information can be recorded on a label face side by using a laser apparatus for recording and reading electronic information by irradiation with a low output laser without exerting, e.g. thermal influence over electronic information recorded on the medium. The optical information recording medium of the present invention is an optical information recording medium 100 having such a structure that on a substrate 101, an electronic information recording layer 102, a reflective layer 103 formed in contact with the opposite side of the electronic information recording layer 102 from a side where a laser beam 107 enters, a protective layer 104, a visual information recording layer 105 and an overcoat layer 106 constituting an outermost layer are laminated in this order, and having a reflectivity against a beam applied from the label face side of at least 15 and at most 50%.

Abstract: Four types of optical systems, a polarization optical system including an objective lens having a high numerical aperture, a polarization optical system including an objective lens having a low numerical aperture, a non-polarization optical system including an objective lens having a high numerical aperture and a non-polarization optical system including an objective lens having a low numerical aperture, are selectively used at the time of irradiating light from a semiconductor laser on a target disk for measurement, and the in-plane birefringence characteristic and perpendicular birefringence characteristic of the target disk are separately acquired based on the amounts of received light obtained by measuring reflected light from the target disk by a photosensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: To provide an optical information recording medium on which visual information can be recorded on a label face by using a laser apparatus for recording and reading electronic information by irradiation with a low output laser without exerting e.g. thermal influence over electronic information recorded on the medium. The present invention provides an optical information recording medium 100 having such a structure that on a substrate 101, an electronic information recording layer 102, a reflective layer 103 formed in contact with the opposite side of the electronic information recording layer 102 from a side where a laser beam 107 enters, a protective layer 104, a visual information recording layer 105 and an overcoat layer 106 constituting an outermost layer are laminated in this order, wherein the surface roughness of the outermost layer on the label face side is at most ½ of the wavelength (?) of a laser beam 108.

Abstract: The azo-metal chelate dye of the present invention is formed, for example, from zinc (divalent) as a center metal ion and an azo compound bonded with a coupler component having an amino group and a fluorine-substituted alkylsulfonylamino group subjected to condensed ring-formation to have a 1,3,4-thiazole ring as a diazo component.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium containing a substrate having provided thereon a recording layer capable of recording information by laser beam irradiation, wherein the recording layer contains a dye represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; R5 and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; and B represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, which are derivable from a diazonium salt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access to a storage medium, such as an optically readable medium. Light sensitive or other materials that are adapted to change state and affect reading of a storage medium are used to control access to data that may be stored on optical medium and/or to control use of the medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate, a first recording layer formed on the substrate and containing an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, C, Sn, Zn and Cu as a primary component, and a second recording layer located in the vicinity of the first recording layer and containing Al as a primary component, the optical recording medium being constituted to be irradiated by a laser beam projected onto the side opposite from the substrate and the total thickness of the first recording layer and the second recording layer being equal to or thinner than 40 nm. According to the thus constituted optical recording medium, it is possible to decrease a noise level and improve a C/N ratio in a reproduced signal.

Abstract: An optical disc comprises indicator means for indicating to a user the state of degradation of the optical disc. For example, the indicator means can be an indicator layer that is configured to change colour when incorporated into an optical disc, thereby providing an indication that the disc is degrading or ageing, and that it is advisable to transfer the data to another storage medium. According to one embodiment, an optical disc 1, for example a DVD, comprises: a label layer 3; a polycarbonate layer 5; an aluminium/silver layer 7; a dye and data layer 9; an adhesive layer 11; and a second polycarbonate layer 13. In addition, the optical disc 1 comprises indicator means in the form of an indicator layer 15. The indicator layer 15 provides an indication to a user about the state of degradation of the optical disc.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording medium which includes a substrate, a first information layer and a second information layer, the first information layer and the second information layer are disposed on the substrate through an intermediate layer in a laminar structure; recording and reproducing is performed on each of the two information layers by laser beam irradiation from the first information layer side; the second information layer is provided with at least a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a second dye recording layer formed in this order; and the dielectric layer is formed from any one of materials selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, sulfides, carbides or mixtures thereof from any one of elements which are not same as metal elements and semi-metal elements used for forming the reflective layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers having different uses. The optical recording medium includes a first light transmitting layer (32); a layer (31) composed of an organic dye for recording and reading data by an optical beam of a first wavelength incident through the first light transmitting layer (32) and transmitting an optical beam of a second wavelength incident through the first light transmitting layer (32); a second light transmitting layer (34) for transmitting the optical beam of the second wavelength incident through the layer (31) composed of the organic dye; and a reflecting layer (331) for reflecting the optical beam of the second wavelength incident through the second light transmitting layer (34).

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium including a substrate in which at least one of a groove and a pit is formed; a recording layer located overlying the substrate and including a dye; and a reflection layer located overlying the recording layer, wherein the optical information recording medium has an absorbance curve with an absorbance L of from 10 to 40% against light having a wavelength ? of from 645 nm to 670 nm, a ratio (Lmax/Lmin) of a maximum absorbance Lmax of the absorbance curve to a minimum absorbance Lmin of from 1.0 to 2.0 at the wavelength range of from 645 nm to 670 nm, and a reflectance of from 45 to 85% against the light having a wavelength ? of from 645 nm to 670 nm.

Abstract: A multilayer optical recording medium including a first recording layer for recording or reproducing information by using a first light beam having a center wavelength ?1, a first photochromic layer provided on the first recording layer, and a first optical waveguide layer provided on the first photochromic layer for guiding to the first photochromic layer a second light beam having a center wavelength ?2 different from the center wavelength ?1. The multilayer optical recording medium further includes a second recording layer provided on the first optical waveguide layer for recording or reproducing information by using the first light beam, a second photochromic layer provided on the second recording layer, and a second optical waveguide layer provided on the second photochromic layer for guiding the second light beam to the second photochromic layer. The first and second photochromic layers become transparent to the first light beam by irradiation with light or by application of heat.

Abstract: A multilayer phase change information recording medium including plural information layers containing at least a first information layer and a last information layer, each of which includes a recording layer in which information is recorded utilizing a phase change between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase. At least one of the plural information layers other than the last information layer includes a first lower protective layer, a first recording layer located overlying the lower protective layer, a first upper protective layer located overlying the first recording layer, a first reflective layer located overlying the first upper protective layer, and a heat diffusion layer located overlying the first reflective layer and which mainly contains In, Zn and O.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide an optical information recording medium including a pigment appropriate for high-density and high-speed optical recording by the blue laser light of 350 to 500 nm and especially around 400 nm (for example, 405 nm), enabling recording at low power, suppressing thermal affect of recording to the optical recording layer, and assuring a reflection ratio or modulation degree by the change of a refraction index n and an attenuation coefficient k; and to provide a recording method thereof. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Instead of the recording based on the optical phase difference obtained by a change ?n of the refraction index n of the pigment as in the conventional method, a pigment capable of performing recording based on the change ?k of the attenuation coefficient k has been obtained. Recording may be performed mainly by the change ?k of the attenuation coefficient k.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a substrate formed in a concave-convex state by providing pits or grooves corresponding to recorded information, used for optically reproducing the information by irradiation of a light beam, and may also include a recording layer. The optical information recording medium includes a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance for the light beam changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam. With such an arrangement, the present invention provides an optical information recording medium enabling secure and highly accurate reproduction of information recorded with high density, and the recording and reproduction methods thereof.

Abstract: A nonvolatile information recording and reproducing device exhibits low power consumption and high thermal stability. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer and a unit for recording information by applying a voltage to the recording layer to generate a resistance change to be caused due to a phase change in the recording layer. The recording layer includes a material having a ramsdelite structure.

Abstract: An information recording medium wherein an optically detectable information recording medium is comprised of at least a substrate, a recording layer, and a resin layer. The information recording medium has surface roughness R? on the surface of the recording layer, which is in contact with the resin layer, under 5 nm. The information recording medium controls the reproduction signal noise, enables highly densified recording.

Abstract: An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers which are capable of transmitting at a high transmittance recording light or reproducing light for performing recording/reproducing of a first recording layer (3) without having to make the thickness of a second recording film (5) positioned towards the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters. An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers, and which includes the first recording layer (3), the second recording layer (5) positioned further towards, with an intermediate layer (4) in between, the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters than is the first recording layer (3), and includes, between the above-mentioned intermediate layer (4) and the above-mentioned second recording layer (5), a dielectric layer (7) for increasing the transmittance for light passing through the above-mentioned second recording layer as the incident angle of the light becomes greater.

Abstract: A phase-change optical information recording medium in which information can be recorded, reproduced and rewritten and which includes a first transparent substrate having a wobbling guide groove which is spirally formed thereon at a pitch; a first dielectric layer located overlying the first transparent substrate and having an optical thickness of from 80 nm to 200 nm; a phase-change recording layer located overlying the first dielectric layer and having an optical thickness of from 20 to 50 nm when the recording layer is in an erased state; a second dielectric layer located overlying the recording layer and having an optical thickness of from 10 nm to 70 nm; a reflection layer located overlying the second dielectric layer; optionally a third dielectric layer located between the second dielectric layer and the reflection layer; and a second transparent substrate located overlying the reflection layer.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a media including a memory layer within which are formable domains associated with information, and a conductive layer disposed over the memory layer, the conductive layer having anisotropically increased electrical conductivity in a thickness direction. A conductive tip contactable with the conductive layer is adapted to form domains within the memory layer and one of the conductive tip and the media is movable to access the memory layer.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium, which is made of a resin provided with photoreactivity containing organometal compound, has a recording layer on which, after a photoreaction are brought about when predetermined initialization light is irradiated to the medium and then the resin is hardened, at a time of recording information, a recording mark is formed when predetermined recording light is condensed to the medium, and a temperature of the medium near a focal point of the recording light is increased and the organometal compound is transubstantiated, and at a time of reproducing information, the information is reproduced based on returned light according to predetermined reading light being irradiated.

Abstract: In an optical disk of the invention composed of two substrates bonded to each other, the level of double refraction is set to 60 nm or less in a read-only disk, to 60 nm or less in a write-once type disk, and to 40 nm or less in a rewritable type disk, respectively.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: A general optical storage system (OSS) contains an optical drive and a fluorescent multilayer disc (FMLD), which can be realized as a multilayer structure with data storage in fluorescent spots like pits or spiral grooves, divided by layers, transparent to reading and fluorescent radiation. The OSS includes a fluorescent signal reception device, capable of reading FMLD, as well as reflective CD and DVD discs (including CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, etc.). Increase of pit width in FMLD and use of microangle mirrors allow increase of the information signal. Elimination of FMLD fluorescence lifetime influence on data pulse duration allows an increase in the data reading rate. The absorption indices of different layers of FMLD are optimized.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium characterized by comprising a temperature-sensitive layer formed on a substrate, for reversibly changing in reflectance and/or transmittance with a temperature change. A temperature-sensitive layer having the property of changing in reflectance with a temperature change is used, as well as the property of changing in light interference effect with a temperature change, thereby providing an optical information recording medium capable of providing a higher, more stable reproduction signal power.