Abstract: An optical storage medium (20) comprises a first data layer (21), for example a Blu-ray (BD) data layer. In addition, the optical storage medium (20) comprises a second data layer (23), for example a DVD data layer. The second data layer (23) is bonded to a substrate (25) using a third layer (27). The third layer (27) comprises an adhesive layer combined with a reactive layer. A reactive agent contained in the reactive layer acts to provide a limited lifetime to the data contained in the second layer (23). The second data layer (23) (i.e. having a limited lifetime) contains access data for controlling access to at least some of the data contained on the first data layer (21). In this way, access to a BD layer can be controlled by a separate DVD layer having a limited lifetime.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical storage medium (20) comprising a first data area (21) for storing content and a second data area (23) for storing limitation data (24) for limiting access to at least a portion of the first data area. It is desired that the period of time for which access to content stored on the storage medium is limited, such that, for instance, after said period of time unlimited access to said content is granted. To achieve this a state change means (27) is provided on the storage medium, adapted for changing its optical reflectivity and/or transmittance over time, said change directly preventing access to the second data area after a limited period of time or being indirectly used to decide whether access to the at least one portion of the first data area shall be limited according to said limitation data.

Abstract: An optical storage medium (20) comprises a first data layer (21), for example a Blu-ray (BD) data layer. In addition, the optical storage medium (20) comprises a second data layer (23), for example a DVD data layer. The second data layer (23) is bonded to a substrate (25) using a third layer (27). The third layer (27) comprises an adhesive layer combined with a reactive layer A reactive agent contained in the reactive layer acts to provide a limited lifetime to the data contained in the second layer (23). The second data layer (23) (i.e. having a limited lifetime) contains access data for controlling access to at least some of the data contained on the first data layer (21). In this way, access to a BD layer can be controlled by a separate DVD layer having a limited lifetime.

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 present invention relates to a method of writing information on an optical recording medium (10 to 38), the optical recording medium having at least one data layer (40) for storing data readable by use of an optical readout device and at least one label layer (42) for storing visible information, the method comprising the steps of: focusing a first wavelength laser beam (44 to 58) onto the at least one data layer for writing data on the data layer, and focusing a second wavelength laser beam (60 to 78) onto the at least one label layer for writing visible information on the label layer, thereby a laser spot size being usable that is also employable when using the second wavelength laser beam for writing data on a data layer for storing data readable by use of an optical readout device. The present invention further relates to an optical recording medium and to a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium.

Abstract: A description is given of a multi-stack optical data storage medium (20) for rewritable recording using a focused radiation beam (30) entering through an entrance face (16) of the medium (20) during recording. The medium (20) has a substrate (1). Deposited on a side thereof is a first recording stack (2) with a phase-change type recording layer (6). The first recording stack (2) is present at a position most remote from the entrance face (16). At least one further recording stack (3), with a phase-change type recording layer (12) is present closer to the entrance face (16) than the first recording stack (2). A metal reflective layer of Cu, transparent for the radiation beam (30), is present in the further recording stack (3) and has a thickness between 2 and 10 nm. A transparent spacer layer (9) is present between the recording stacks (2, 3).

Abstract: A robust GMR or TMR effect type multilayer structure comprises a free and a pinned ferromagnetic layer, with a wide magnetic field range as required, for example in automotive applications. An odd number of non-adjacent ferromagnetic layers is used in an exchange-biased Artificial Anti-Ferromagnet as the pinned layer, and the exchange biasing layer is made of an IrMn type material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spin valve structure (1) of the GMR-type. Such a structure includes a stack of a magnetic layer (11a 11b), a nonmagnetic layer (15) and a sense layer (17) of a ferromagnetic material. In order to obtain a spin valve structure having a very good GMR effect the method comprises the following specific steps: oxidation of the ferromagnetic material of the sense layer; deposition of aluminium on the oxidized ferromagnetic material; oxidation of the deposited aluminium using oxygen from the oxidized ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A novel magnetic data storage system and a sensing system of magnetic characteristics are disclosed; the systems have a magnetization direction that is irreversible in an external magnetic field. A method of manufacturing, a method of resetting or changing or repairing and a method of operating such systems are also disclosed. The systems can include a set of magnetic devices in a balancing configuration; essentially each of said devices comprises a structure of layers including at least a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer with at least a separation layer of a non-magnetic material there between, said structure having at least a magneto resistance effect. The magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer of at least one of said devices is irreversible in an external magnetic field higher than about 35 kA/m.

Abstract: Magnetic field sensors and magnetic memories have at least two magnetoresistive bridge elements (A,B,C,D), wherein each magnetoresistive element comprises a free (F) and a pinned (P) ferromagnetic layer. The magnetization directions of pinned ferromagnetic layers are different for the two bridge elements. In the method, in a first deposition step, a first ferromagnetic layer of one of the two said elements is deposited, during which deposition a magnetic field is applied to pin the magnetization direction MP in the first ferromagnetic layer in a first direction. Then, in a second deposition step, a second ferromagnetic layer of the other of the two said elements is deposited, during which deposition a magnetic field is applied to pin the magnetization direction in the second ferromagnetic layer in a second direction different from, preferably opposite to, the magnetization direction in the first ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic field element provided with a stack of a first magnetic layer structure (7), a second magnetic layer structure (11) having a substantially fixed direction of magnetization (M11), and a spacer layer structure (9) separating the first magnetic layer structure and the second magnetic layer structure from each other. The magnetic field element is further provided with a biasing means for applying a longitudinal bias field to the first magnetic layer structure, which biasing means includes a thin biasing magnetic layer structure (3) located opposite to the first magnetic layer structure. The biasing magnetic layer structure provides a magnetic coupling field component (M3) perpendicular to the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer structure and is separated from the first magnetic layer structure by a non-magnetic layer structure (5). The first magnetic layer structure is ferromagnetically coupled to the biasing magnet layer structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spin valve structure (1) of the GMR-type. Such a structure includes a stack of a magnetic layer (11a 11b), a nonmagnetic layer (15) and a sense layer (17) of a ferromagnetic material. In order to obtain a spin valve structure having a very good GMR effect the method comprises the following specific steps: oxidation of the ferromagnetic material of the sense layer; deposition of aluminium on the oxidized ferromagnetic material; oxidation of the deposited aluminium using oxygen from the oxidized ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A robust GMR or TMR effect type multilayer structure comprising a free and a pinned ferromagnetic layer, with a wide magnetic field range is described, as required, for example in automotive applications. The improvement is obtained by using an odd number of non-adjacent ferromagnetic layers in an exchange-biased Artificial Anti-Ferromagnet as the pinned layer.

Abstract: A magnetic field element provided with a stack of a first magnetic layer structure (7), a second magnetic layer structure (11) having a substantially fixed direction of magnetization (M11), and a spacer layer structure (9) separating the first magnetic layer structure and the second magnetic layer structure from each other. The magnetic field element is further provided with a biasing means for applying a longitudinal bias field to the first magnetic layer structure, which biasing means includes a thin biasing magnetic layer structure (3) located opposite to the first magnetic layer structure. The biasing magnetic layer structure provides a magnetic coupling field component (M3) perpendicular to the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer structure and is separated from the first magnetic layer structure by a non-magnetic layer structure (5). The first magnetic layer structure is ferromagnetically coupled to the biasing magnet layer structure.