Abstract: A novel wavelength routing apparatus is disclosed, which uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal from an input port into multiple spectral channels; a channel-interleaving assembly (e.g., an array of prisms) to interleave the spectral channels into two channel groups; and an “augmented relay system” to relay the interleaved channel groups onto two separate arrays of channel micromirrors, respectively. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into multiple output ports. As such, the inventive wavelength routing apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports.

Abstract: A method of recording data on a recording medium includes mapping the data to a set of write symbols wherein each write symbol represents more than one bit of the data. The set of write symbols is defined by defining a set of variable write parameters; generating a plurality of candidate write symbols that specify different values for the variable write parameters; generating a plurality of readout waveforms produced by the plurality of candidate write symbols; analyzing the readout waveforms to determine desired set of readout waveforms; and selecting selected ones of the plurality of candidate write symbols that correspond to the desired readout waveforms to be included in the set of write symbols. The data is written to the medium using the write symbols.

Abstract: An optical storage medium designed to be readable with light of a pre-determined wavelength, the optical storage medium comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of optically detectable marks imprinted on the substrate, each of the plurality of optically detectable marks exhibiting: a predetermined length; a width less than the pre-determined wavelength; and one of a plurality of orientations in relation to a common axis, wherein information is stored on the optical storage medium at least partially as a function of the one of a plurality of orientations. Preferably the optically detectably marks alter the polarization characteristics of an incident polarized light of the pre-determined wavelength, the altered polarization characteristics being detectable by at least one detector.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for reducing the effective spot size of a laser beam by selectively polarizing different regions of a light beam. By suitably dividing a beam into a plurality of regions and suitably changing the polarization of the regions in different directions, certain regions with opposite polarization cancel each other out, thereby effectively eliminating these regions from analysis by the detector. When focusing onto a high density optical disk, adjacent tracks do not see the canceled, circularly-polarized portions of the beam, but instead, only see the smaller, plane-polarized portion in the center of the beam. When reading from a high density optical disk, detectors using a known differential detection scheme similarly do not see the canceled, circularly-polarized portions of the beam, but instead, only see the smaller, plane-polarized portion in the center of the beam.

Abstract: A storage device for the storage and retrieval of arbitrary sequences of binary information provides areal densities exceeding terabytes per square centimeter (TB/cm2) and even petabytes per square centimeter (PB/cm2) in a 3D configuration. The information is encoded in long strands of biological or non-biological molecules such as artificial DNA, RNA or other synthetic molecules that form a macromolecule. The strands are written in-situ and, in some cases synthesized in-situ, transported to and from read and write stations and memory locations on the device. The data is read out by detecting individual bases or collection of bases directly from the strand.

Abstract: A novel wavelength routing apparatus is disclosed, which uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal from an input port into multiple spectral channels; a channel-interleaving assembly (e.g., an array of prisms) to interleave the spectral channels into two channel groups; and an “augmented relay system” to relay the interleaved channel groups onto two separate arrays of channel micromirrors, respectively. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into multiple output ports. As such, the inventive wavelength routing apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports.

Abstract: A beam shaper lens or other optic is positioned with respect to a laser diode or other laser emitter in such a way as to eliminate an air gap, or other low-index region, between the emitter and the beam shaper optic. In one embodiment, a planar emitter is in direct face-to-face contact with a planar surface of a beam shaper lens. The beam, as it exits the laser source, directly enters the lens or another relatively high-index medium, compared to the index of air. By reducing the number of interfaces which the beam passes through and/or the difference in index across such interfaces, beam shaping can be achieved while reducing or eliminating interfacial reflections, refractions, or diffractions.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities.

Abstract: A method of recording data on a recording medium includes mapping the data to a set of write symbols wherein each write symbol represents more than one bit of the data. The set of write symbols is defined by defining a set of variable write parameters; generating a plurality of candidate write symbols that specify different values for the variable write parameters; generating a plurality of readout waveforms produced by the plurality of candidate write symbols; analyzing the readout waveforms to determine desired set of readout waveforms; and selecting selected ones of the plurality of candidate write symbols that correspond to the desired readout waveforms to be included in the set of write symbols. The data is written to the medium using the write symbols.

Abstract: An optical device has an optical array detector with an array of optical receptors (each receptor is an individual photo detector) that has a greater cross-sectional extent than an impinging light beam. The receptors have respective light receiving areas smaller than the a cross-sectional area of the impinging light beam. A ring lens passes a received light beam to the receptor array. A ring lens refracts a defocused and off-track impinging light beam whereby the optical refractive properties of the ring lens change the cross-sectional form of the received light beam in accordance with status of the light beam. Refraction of the received light beam in the ring lens distorts the beam cross-sectional shape for indicating focus and location errors. Provisions are made for automatic calibration of the impinging beam to a current position of the array detector physical position by the optical device. Optical detection and re-calibration is effected by a digital signal processor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing error correction coding for a block of user data in which the user data is initially modulated by a first modulator and then the modulated user data is error correction encoded to produce a first plurality of check bits. The first plurality of check bits are then modulated by a second modulator whose output is then fed to a second error correction encoder which produces a second plurality of check bits. The modulated user data, the first plurality of check bits and the second plurality of check bits are all fed to a shift register where the error correction encoded user data block is formed, useful with magnetic and optical storage devices.

Abstract: A method of and system for utilizing circularly polarized microwave radiation in order to provide for the direct overwriting of previously recorded data on a single-layer magneto-optical disk is disclosed in which a microwave source is used to generate a sinusoidal magnetic wave having a fixed magnitude and fixed frequency which is applied to a phase shift switch whose phase is shifted between right circular and left circular polarization states, depending upon each bit of binary data to be recorded. The output from the phase shift switch is fed to a microwave antenna which is utilized to radiate the right circular or left circular polarized microwave signal to a small area of the magnetic film utilized in a magneto-optical disk which is heated by a focused laser beam at the moment during which recording at that location is desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the reflectivity of magnetooptic materials where the complex reflection coefficients of absorbing anisotropic media are determined. Amorphous rare-earth transition metal alloys exhibiting polar Kerr effect are analyzed for use as storage media in erasable optical storage systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the reflectivity of magnetooptic materials where the complex reflection coefficients of absorbing anisotropic media are determined. Amorphous rare-earth transition metal alloys exhibiting polar Kerr effect are analyzed for use as storage media in erasable optical storage systems.

Abstract: Magneto-optic media and system optimization including a set of optimized magneto-optic media for use in a magneto-optic recording and readout system employing an incident readout light beam of a given fixed power, P.sub.o. The beam is delivered in a linearly polarized state to the magneto-optic media and the magneto-optic radiation received from the media is detectable by the system. Each member of the set of media comprises a reflective layer having a predetermined thickness, a first transparent layer overlying the reflecting layer and having a predetermined thickness and refractive index and a second light transmissive layer having a predetermined thickness and exhibiting absorptivity at the wavelength of said incident readout light beam and having magneto-optic conversivity and perpendicular anisotropy. Members of the set of optimized magneto-optic media may further included a third transparent layer overlaying the second transmissive layer and having a predetermined thickness and refractive index.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities.