Abstract: The optical disc of the present invention includes a first translucent substrate having generally planar opposed top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is smooth and adapted to an optical beam for accessing data on the disc. The top surface of the first substrate has formed pits that represent data recorded on the disc. A reflective coating is formed on the top data surface of said first substrate to enable the top surface to reflect light back to an optical reader. A bonding agent is disposed over the reflective coating and a second substrate is bonded to the first substrate thought hot melt bonding. The second translucent substrate has a top surface incorporating a plurality of lenticules formed therein, and a bottom surface having an interlaced segmented lenticular image printed thereon.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having an information layer with a reflective film on which an information recording portion is formed by physical change of shape at least in one direction of thickness and track width, the reflective film having such a structure that additional recording can be performed by thermal recording, and that the reflectance of the reflective film changes in the range of 0.5%<(|R0−R1|/R0)×100%<17%, where R0 is reflectance of non-recording state and R1 is reflectance of recording state for reproducing beam. Such optical recording medium can be manufactured at low cost with additional recording.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel trimethine cyanine dyes, light absorbents, light-resistant improvers, and optical recording media which comprise the trimethine cyanine dyes. The cyanine dyes exert satisfactory solubility and heat resistance when used in high-density optical recording media.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate and a recording layer in which data can be recorded by projecting a laser beam thereonto, the recording layer including a first recording film containing an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mg, In, Zn, Bi and Al as a primary component and a second recording film containing Cu as a primary component and 10 to 30 atomic % of Al as an additive.

Abstract: A recording medium manufacturing method comprises a process for forming a thermosensitive material layer 12 on a substrate comprising a recording medium or a recording medium manufacturing master, a process for forming a denatured portion 12s of a pattern corresponding to target very small concavities and convexities on the thermosensitive material layer by irradiating laser light on the thermosensitive material layer with patterns corresponding to target very small concavities and convexities and a process for forming target very small concavities and convexities by patterning the thermosensitive material layer by developing the thermosensitive material layer 12. In particular, in the laser light irradiation, there can be formed patterns independent of the length of the very small concavities and convexities by irradiation of laser light modulated by a frequency higher than a period of very small concavities and convexities.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate and a plurality of recording layers laminated via at least intermediate layers, at least one of the recording layers other than a recording layer farthest from a light incidence plane among the plurality of recording layers containing at least one metal M selected from a group consisting of Ni, Cu, Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, Sn, W, Pb, Bi, Zn and La and an element X which can combine with the metal M upon being irradiated with a laser beam for recording data, thereby forming a crystal of a compound of the element X with the metal M. According to the thus constituted optical recording medium, it is possible to record data in and reproduce from a farthest recording layer from a light incidence plane in a desired manner and it is possible to record data in and reproduce from recording layer(s) other than the farthest recording layer from the light incidence plane in a desired manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable media unreadable. The method includes steps of (a) providing the media with an optically activated mechanism that degrades the reflectivity of a surface wherein information is encoded; (b) exposing the media to optical radiation for reading out the information; and, during the step of exposing, (c) initiating the operation of the optically activated mechanism. In this embodiment the step of initiating includes steps of (d) generating singlet oxygen in a layer disposed on the media; and (e) reacting the singlet oxygen with a metal-containing layer for oxidizing the surface of the metal-containing layer, thereby degrading the reflectivity of the surface. In a further aspect the optically activated mechanism causes a defocusing of a readout beam, thereby degrading reflection of the readout beam from a surface wherein information is encoded.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a limited play optical storage media and a method for limiting access to data thereon. This storage media includes a first substrate; a reflective layer; a data storage layer disposed between said first substrate and said reflective layer; a reactive layer comprising at least one reactive material disposed on said at least one reflective layer; an optically transparent second substrate disposed between the reactive layer and a laser incident surface of the optical storage media; and an oxygen permeable barrier layer disposed between the reactive layer and a laser incident surface of the optical storage media, said reactive layer having an initial percent reflectivity of about 50% or greater and a percent reflectivity of about 45% or less after exposure to oxygen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a limited play optical storage media and a method for limiting access to data thereon. This storage media comprises: an optically transparent substrate; a reflective layer; an oxygen penetrable UV coating disposed on a side of the substrate opposite the reflective layer; and a reactive layer disposed between the UV coating and the substrate, the optical storage media having an initial percent reflectivity of about 50% or greater and a subsequent percent reflectivity of about 45% or less.

Abstract: Copy-protected optical medium utilizing a composition comprising a transient optical state change security materials capable of changing optical state when exposed to a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 660 nm and an electron transfer agent.

Abstract: In case of manufacturing a disk having a two-layer structure, a glass substrate 13 is bonded to a cover layer 11 through an adhesive layer 12, and a mount hole 14a is formed in a center thereof to form a bonded substrate 14 having a three-layer structure (a). In a state where a stamper 15 formed a predetermined pit pattern is set to a center boss 16, the bonded substrate 14 is pressed downward in a vertical direction while the mount hole 14a of the bonded substrate 14 is aligned with the center boss 16(b). Whereby an information recording surface 11a is transferred onto the cover layer 11(c). Subsequently, after the bonded substrate 14 has been bonded to another layer substrate of the disk, the adhesive layer 12 is removed to separate the glass substrate 13. Finally, there is manufactured the disk having the two-layer structure.

Abstract: A reconfigurable and stationary element for the engineering of the wavefront of electromagnetic radiation. The element includes a phase change material that may be reversibly transformed between its crystalline and amorphous states. By forming a gradient in crystallinity, a phase taper may be stored in the phase change material of the instant element. The phase taper provides control of the phase angle of reflected or reradiated electromagnetic radiation. An incident wavefront of electromagnetic radiation interacts with the instant element and is reradiated with controlled propagation characteristics imposed by the stored phase taper. The instant element may provide non-specular reflection, beam steering, focusing, defocusing, symmetrical and asymmetrical cross section effects, and wavefront correction. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern of amorphous marks is formed within a crystalline matrix of phase change material.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium of the present invention includes first to Nth recording layers (where N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) arranged sequentially from an opposite side of an incident side of a laser beam. The laser beam that has entered from one side is irradiated onto any one of the first to Nth recording layers, thereby recording and reproducing information. At least any one of the first to Nth recording layers includes a correction information recording portion. The correction information recording portion contains a correction information for correcting a laser beam intensity based on a change in a transmittance of the second to Nth recording layers between an unrecorded state and a recorded state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical recording medium, comprising a polymer alloy forming a phase-separated domain structure of a coating object, and a volatile substance interacting with the polymer alloy. The volatile substance in a vapor state is deposited on the surface of specific phase-separated domain, and dispersedly infiltrated into the phase-separated domain. The phase-separated domain and the volatile substance chemically interact with each other. The optical recording medium is operable to perform optical recording by utilizing change in the transmittance, reflectance, refractive index or surface potential thereof in response to irradiation of ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light from outside. The present invention can provide an optical recording medium suitable for high-density recording in a wide wavelength range.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical recording medium having a new information recording part and an entertainment system employing it. According to an optical recording medium of the present invention, a new information recording part (210) is formed on parts other than the information recordable part (200O, 200D, 200I), and information can be written, read, and erased.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of and an apparatus for writing information onto a multi-layer optical information carrier (1). In an optical recording system information can be written onto a selected layer (41) of a multi-layer carrier (1) by focusing the laser beam (2) onto the selected layer. Intermediate layers (42) interact with the laser beam (2). An important property in writing information onto a multi-layer carrier (1) is the transmission coefficient of these intermediate layers (42). The transmission coefficient depends on the physical properties of the intermediate layer (42) and on whether or not information has been recorded. The apparatus includes a circuit (55) which derives information (711) about the changes of the transmission coefficients of the layers (41 through 43) when information is written onto these layers. On the basis of this information (711) a circuit determines the sequence in which the layers (41 through 43) are to be recorded.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing method and an optical recording medium capable of performing excellent optical recording with a simple structure in a recording layer made of environmentally friendly materials. The optical recording medium has a recording layer on a substrate. The recording layer has a pair of dielectric layers of which states are altered by a laser beam that is an energy beam of which intensity is modulated according to information to be recorded. This recording layer also has a recording assist layer sandwiched by these dielectric layers. The recording assist layer includes an element selected from Sn, Ti, Si, Bi, Ge, and C as a principle component, while the dielectric material as a base material for the dielectric layers is at least one of ZnS, SiO2, AlN, and Ta2O5.

Abstract: In an information recording medium, a first protective layer, a recording film, a second protective layer and a reflective layer are provided on a substrate sequentially from a side where light is irradiated, the first protective layer having a film thickness of 2 nm to 25 nm. 95 atomic % or more of a material of the first protective layer is SiO2—In2O3—SnO2—ZnS, and a ZnS amount in the first protective layer is in the range of 4 mol % to 33 mol %.

Abstract: An optical recording medium for at least one of recording and reproduction of information by focusing of light from an optical system on a recording layer, comprising a substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate, a first protective layer formed on the recording layer, and an antireflection multilayer film, designed to be positioned at a near field distance from the optical system, formed on the first protective layer for preventing reflection of the light at the surface of the first protective layer and having predetermined optical characteristics for moderating a change of a reproduced signal intensity along with fluctuation of a distance between the antireflection multilayer film and the optical system, a method of producing the medium, and an optical recording and reproduction device including the medium.

Abstract: Described herewith is an optical disk manufacturing apparatus for reading recorded digital data from an optical disk, comprising an encryption unit (22, 23) for encrypting entered digital data according to a plurality of key information; an optical disk substrate manufacturing unit 2 for manufacturing an optical disk substrate 4 on which the encrypted digital data and key information are recorded in the form of physical form changes; a reflection film forming unit 41 for forming a reflection film on the optical disk substrate 4; and a key information recording unit 7 for recording key information on the optical disk substrate on which the reflection film is formed. The reflection factor of the optical disk is changed locally, thereby giving a jitter to the position information of each pit edge, and desired data is recorded additionally according to this jitter. Pits, etc.

Abstract: An optical disk is provided for recording data of a signal modulated according to a predetermined modulation method in a form of concavo-convex pits. The optical disk includes a first area having a reflecting film partly removed, and a second area for recording pits which are different from pits satisfying requirements of the predetermined modulation method. The first area having the reflecting film partly removed includes a portion which is formed by removing the reflecting film, and has a length longer than a maximum pit length determined by the modulation method in a circumferential direction of the optical disk. When the pits recorded on the optical disk are physically copied as they are, physical copying of the optical disk can be prevented by utilizing such a difference that the authorized optical disk differs from a pirated copy in a combination of the respective reproduced signals of the first and second areas.

Abstract: An optical recordable medium at least comprises a recording layer formed on a transparent substrate. The recording layer is sequentially formed on a first transparent layer, a semi-reflective layer, a dielectric layer, a reflective layer and a material layer. When a modulated writing beam irradiates the recording layer and data is written in a recorded area, the first transparent layer and the semi-reflective layer react to form a second semi-reflective layer. When a reading light irradiates the recorded area, the light wave phase is shifted and the recorded area becomes anti-reflective.

Abstract: This invention is a rewritable near-field optical medium using a zinc oxide nano-structured thin film as the localized near-field interaction layer. This rewritable near-field optical medium is a multilayered body at least comprising: (a) a substrate of transparent material; (b) a first protective and spacer layer formed on one surface of the substrate, which Is made of transparent dielectric material; (c) a zinc oxide nano-structured thin film which is capable of causing localized near-field optical interactions; (d) a second protective and spacer layer formed on the localized near-field optical interaction layer, which is also made of transparent dielectric material; (e) a rewritable recording layer; (f) a third protective and spacer layer formed on the rewritable recording layer, which is also made of transparent dielectric material.

Abstract: This invention is a write-once near-field optical medium using a zinc oxide nano-structured thin film as the localized near-field optical interaction layer. This write-once near-field optical medium is a multi-layered body at least comprising: (a) a substrate of transparent material; (b) a first protective and spacer layer formed on one surface of the substrate, which is made of transparent dielectric material; (c) a zinc oxide nano-structured thin film which is capable of causing localized near-field optical interactions; (d) a second protective and spacer layer formed on the localized near-field optical interaction layer, which is also made of transparent dielectric material; (e) a write-once recording layer; (f) a third protective and spacer layer formed on the write-once recording layer, which is also made of transparent dielectric material.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is capable of linear recording in a photon mode. An organic material changed in molecular orientation on light illumination to exhibit birefringence is used as a recording material. For example, a recording layer having, as a recording material, an organic material changed in molecular orientation caused by trans-cis rearrangement, is changed in birefringence with changes in the molecular orientation of the organic material. The recording system which utilizes the changes in the molecular orientation of the organic material has linear characteristics and gives outputs different depending on e.g., the degree or the angle of orientation, thus enabling multi-valued recording.

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 disk comprising a recording layer and a super-resolution film disposed on the reproduction-beam incident side of the recording layer, wherein the super-resolution film is formed of a fine particle-dispersed film comprising a matrix and semiconductor fine particles dispersed in the matrix or formed of a semiconductor continuous film, and wherein content of a matrix material or a contamination mixed in the semiconductor fine particles or the semiconductor continuous film is not more than 20 at %.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a surface used for labeling. The surface is covered, at least in part, with a laser imageable coating. Blocking material is placed over a portion of the laser imageable coating. The blocking material blocks laser imaging on the portion of the laser imageable coating over which the blocking material is placed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pre-engraved substrate for a memory disc recordable by magnetic, magneto-optical or phase transition constraint, its manufacturing method and the resulting disc. Said pre-engraved substrate comprises a support (1) having at its surface a surface film (2) in a reflecting material and enabling to obtain a surface with optical polish and at least a recordable film (4), the surface film (2) and the film (4) comprising a succession of microgrooves and/or pits (7) representing a pre-formatting signal, the walls (8) of said pits and/or microgrooves (7) being formed in such of films (2) and (4) of the material constituting said film. The invention is useful for making magnetic, magneto-optical and phase transition optical discs, used particularly in the field of computers.

Abstract: An information recording medium 101 includes: a transparent substrate 109 having a first surface A and a second surface B opposite to the first surface A; reflectance reduction means 110 provided on the first surface A of the transparent substrate 109; and an information recording layer 120 provided on the second surface B of the transparent substrate 109.

Abstract: An optical disc comprising a substrate and a recording layer and a light-transmitting layer, laid on a substrate one upon the other in the order mentioned. A light beam is applied to the recording layer through the light-transmitting layer, to record and/or reproduce data on the disc. The light-transmitting layer is composed of at least two material layers laid one on the other and having different refractive indices. The disc is designed to set the spherical aberration caused by an objective lens that focuses the light beam used to record and/or reproduce data, at a value close to a minimum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-level optical recording medium for a read/write system using a laser beam, comprising at least one substrate (4a, 4b) and a set of layers forming a deep level (12), and at least one semi-transparent level (10), each of these levels having two stable states reversible under the effect of laser radiation,

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an optical recording medium including at least an information recording layer and a reflective film in which the reflective film is comprised of an AgCu alloy thin film containing Cu the content of which is greater than or equal to 3.0 [atomic %] and less than or equal to 6.5 [atomic %]. Thus, the optical recording medium can be made inexpensive and weather resistance of the optical recording medium can be improved, thereby making it possible to avoid characteristics of the optical recording medium from being deteriorated even after it has been stored for a long time.

Abstract: A method and structure for intensifying track seeking signals from an optical disk, in particular, a recordable digital versatile disk (DVD-R). With the addition of an optical correction layer between a dye material layer and a reflection layer inside the DVD-R, track-seeking signals of the optical disk are intensified and recording quality of the optical disk is improved. The optical correction layer is a transparent or semi-transparent layer made from inorganic materials. The optical correction layer is formed over the dye material layer in a sputtering process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a data carrier having a laser-markable layer and a transparent optically variable layer overlapping therewith at least in certain areas, wherein visually visible markings that at least partly overlap with the optically variable layer are produced in the laser-markable layer after the application of the optically variable layer. The invention further includes a data carrier produced by the method and a semifinished product, such as a data carrier blank, that is provided for processing by the method.

Abstract: A protective film for optical disks comprising an acrylic adhesive layer disposed on one face of a light transmitting substrate film, wherein a change in transmittance (X) expressed by equation [1] is 10% or smaller and the amount of elution of halogen ions and the amount of alkaline ions from an acrylic adhesive constituting the acrylic adhesive layer are each 10 ppm or smaller; and an optical disk using the protective film.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

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 &lgr; 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 &lgr; of from 645 nm to 670 nm.

Abstract: A method and system for initializing and formatting a recording media comprising phase change material using a uniform field of radiation. Also a method for initializing phase change material on a continuous web which will be used to manufacture a plurality of recording media.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprising a transparent substrate and a recording layer formed thereon, wherein the recording layer contains an extended porphyrin compound represented by the following general formula (1): 1

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

Abstract: An optical disc used with an optical head with a focus depth of about 2 micron meter minimizes defects and deterioration in the optical disc at the time of manufacture, during operation and storage thereof as well. The optical disc includes a pair of transparent substrates each provided with at least one layer enabling recording of information, with the pair being bonded and laminated together has an instantaneous axial acceleration<2G.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for inhibiting the readability of an optical media due to changes in a pseudo-reflective material that composes the optical media after the optical media has been exposed to air for a predetermined time. An optical media includes a data encoded component. At least a fraction of the data encoded component transforms from a substantially optically reflective state to a substantially optically non-reflective state as at-least-in-part a function of time from an initializing event. The systems and methods provide advantages because of low cost, limited content lifetime, avoidance of rental returns and minimum changes to existing manufacturing precesses.

Abstract: A circuit derives information about the changes of the transmission coefficients of the layers due to writing information onto these layers. On the basis of the derived information a circuit determines the sequence in which the layers are to be recorded so as to minimize the required intensity of the laser beam, thereby precluding unnecessary heating of the carrier and allowing comparatively simple and cheap laser beam sources to be used.

Abstract: An optical recording material which when exposed to actinic radiation produces a change in optical properties in the exposed regions, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence for storing and retrieving information, the recording material comprising:

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a substrate, and a recording layer formed thereon which contains at least one formazan chelate compound of formula (I), (II) or 1

Abstract: An optical information medium comprising at least two data layers for bearing recorded information, and a servo layer for bearing tracking servo, information which is independently formed from the data layers; wherein the medium is used with a recording or reading system wherein a data beam for recording or reading the data in the data layer and a servo beam for reading the tracking servo information in the servo layer are used, and the servo layer is read by the servo beam that had passed through the data layer; and a filter layer is disposed between the data layer and the servo layer, and the filter layer exhibits higher absorption to the data beam than to the servo beam.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a substrate with a wobble groove and/or pits being formed on one surface thereof, a colorant recording layer provided on the surface of the substrate, and a metallic reflection layer provided on the colorant recording layer, wherein the wobble groove has a track pitch in a range of 1.5 &mgr;m to 1.7 &mgr;m, and a half-amplitude level thereof in a range of 0.4 &mgr;m to 0.75 &mgr;m, and the colorant recording layer includes a specific phthalocyanine compound represented by formula (I) as defined in the specification, and a method of producing the optical information recording medium is proposed.

Abstract: A method of recording information on and reproducing information from a magnetooptical recording medium which includes first and second magnetic layers. The method includes the step of projecting a light spot onto the medium. When reproducing information, the light spot is projected onto the medium from the side of the magnetic layer. In this method only a high temperature region of the second magnetic layer within a light spot projection portion is changed to a perpendicular magnetization film so that information recorded in the first magnetic layer is transferred to the perpendicular magnetization film of the second magnetic layer. In addition, information which is transferred to the second magnetic layer is detected by using reflected light from the medium which is subjected to the magneto-optic effect from the perpendicular magnetization film of the second magnetic layer.