Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features. The features of the systems and methods described herein may include providing improved resolution and color reproduction.

Abstract: Shape-wise thicknesses of a cover layer and first through (N?1)th intermediate layers of an optical recording medium having refractive indexes nr1, nr2 are converted into thicknesses t1, t2 of the respective layers having a predetermined refractive index which makes a divergent amount equal to a divergent amount of a light beam resulting from the thicknesses tr1, tr2, a difference DFF between the sum of a thickness “ti” through a thickness “tj”, and the sum of a thickness “tk” through a thickness “tm” is set to 1 ?m or more (where i, j, k, and m are each any positive integer satisfying i?j<k?m?N), and the thicknesses t1, t2 are calculated by products of a function f(n) expressed by the following formula (1), and the thicknesses tr1, tr2: f(n)=?1.088n3+6.1027n2?12.042n+9.1007??(1) in the formula (1), n=nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN.

Abstract: Shape-wise thicknesses of a cover layer and first through (N?1)th intermediate layers of an optical recording medium having refractive indexes nr1, nr2 are converted into thicknesses t1, t2 of the respective layers having a predetermined refractive index which makes a divergent amount equal to a divergent amount of a light beam resulting from the thicknesses tr1, tr2, a difference DFF between the sum of a thickness “ti” through a thickness “tj”, and the sum of a thickness “tk” through a thickness “tm” is set to 1 ?m or more (where i, j, k, and m are each any positive integer satisfying i?j<k?m?N), and the thicknesses t1, t2 are calculated by products of a function f(n) expressed by the following formula (1), and the thicknesses tr1, tr2: f(n)=?1.088n3+6.1027n2?12.042n+9.1007??(1) in the formula (1), n=nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN.

Abstract: A near field transducer (NFT) that includes a disk, the disk having a top surface, a side surface, and a center; a peg, the peg positioned adjacent the side surface of the disk; and a heat sink, the heat sink positioned on the top surface of the disk, and the heat sink having an effective center, wherein the NFT has a peg axis, which is defined by the location of the peg adjacent the side surface of the disk, and a non-peg axis, which is perpendicular to the peg axis, and wherein the effective center of the heat sink is positioned at about the center of the disk.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a cover layer, a plurality of recording surfaces, and a plurality of intermediate layers. The thicknesses of the layers are specifically determined and set at values which suppress a back focus problem. Because the optical recording medium suppresses back focus, the recording and reproducing of information using the optical recording medium is not obstructed.

Abstract: Shape-wise thicknesses of a cover layer and first through (N?1)th intermediate layers of an optical recording medium having refractive indexes nr1, nr2 are converted into thicknesses t1, t2 of the respective layers having a predetermined refractive index which makes a divergent amount equal to a divergent amount of a light beam resulting from the thicknesses tr1, tr2, a difference DFF between the sum of a thickness “ti” through a thickness “tj”, and the sum of a thickness “tk” through a thickness “tm” is set to 1 ?m or more (where i, j, k, and m are each any positive integer satisfying i?j?k?m?N), and the thicknesses t1, t2 are calculated by products of a function f(n) expressed by the following formula (1), and the thicknesses tr1, tr2: f(n)=?1.088n3+6.1027n2?12.042n+9.1007??(1) in the formula (1), n=nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN.

Abstract: This invention allows super-resolution reproduction with which a better bER value is attainable, when information is recorded by a random pattern including a mark length not longer than a resolution limit, by use of a highly versatile signal decoding method. Information is recorded as marks and spaces coded by RLL(1, 7) modulation, which each of the marks and spaces have one of a plurality of lengths, and 2T marks and 2T spaces of the marks and spaces being formed are shorter than 0.12 ?m. An information recording layer (20) includes a reproduction film (21) and a reflective film (22) which are provided in this order from a side from which reproducing light is incident, which reproduction film is made of (i) zinc oxide, (ii) strontium titanate, (iii) titanium oxide, (iv) cerium oxide, or (v) a material including at least one of the (i) through (iv), and which reflective film is made of tantalum or titanium.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: A super resolution medium (1) is provided with an information signal region (11) where a content, such as a video or audio content, is recorded and a test read region (12) where reproduction setting value adjustment information is recorded for adjusting a setting value for reproduction. A shortest mark length on a first prepit row formed in the information signal region (11) is shorter than a length of an optical system resolution limit of a playback apparatus. The types of mark lengths, recorded in the test read region (12), on the second prepit row for adjusting the setting value are the same as part or all types of mark lengths on the first prepit row. Further, the second prepit row includes a prepit having a mark length shorter than the length of the optical system resolution limit of the payback apparatus. Still further, each of the first and second prepit rows has at least three types of mark lengths.

Abstract: Shape-wise thicknesses tr1, tr2, . . . , and trN of a cover layer and first through (N?1)-th intermediate layers of an optical recording medium having refractive indexes nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN are converted into thicknesses t1, t2, . . . , and tN which are calculated by products of a function f(n)=?1.088n3+6.1027n2?12.042n+9.1007 where n=nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: A holographic storage medium is proposed, and more specifically a holographic storage medium with an integrated phase mask layer. The holographic storage medium has a phase mask layer on top of a holographic storage layer, wherein the phase mask layer has one or more phase pattern areas for coupling-in a reference beam and imprinting a phase pattern on the reference beam, and one or more neutral areas for coupling-in an object beam and/or coupling-out a reconstructed object beam.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pickup with a laser, a detector unit and an objective lens for reading data from or writing data to a Super-RENS optical storage medium having a track pitch below the optical resolution limit, the pickup generating a main beam for reading and/or writing of data and generating two satellite beams for providing a tracking error signal, the three beams being focused by the objective lens onto the optical storage medium, and the reflected light from the optical storage medium being guided onto the detector unit. The main beam and the two satellite beams have a light intensity on the optical storage medium being sufficient for providing a super-resolution effect for the main beam as well as for each satellite beam. The light intensity of the two satellite beams is each in the order of 50 to 100% of the intensity of the main beam, if the apparatus is used for reading of data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the generation of periodic curved structures in a basic support material such as the basic layer for the magnetic bit cells of a magnetic storage device. The method includes the steps of generating a number of diffraction masks such that each mask comprises at least one transmission diffraction gratings having at least one of a different periodic concentric circular pattern, spiral-like periodic pattern and periodic radial spoke pattern; positioning at least one of the diffraction masks simultaneously or successively in a certain distance of the basic support material to be patterned, the distance being mask dependent; exposing the basic support material by directing light beams through each of the diffraction masks; and interfering the different light beams diffracted by the gratings on each mask in order to generate coincident light intensity patterns on the surface of the basic support material.

Abstract: Multilayer optical disk is recordable or partly recordable. Parallel reading of information data from the group of layers by the same focused laser beam is possible. Only one layer of said group has the guide grooves for tracking. Alignment of the information data disposition on the layers of the group is provided. The signals reflected from the different layers of the group have different tilts and are directed onto the different photodetectors. Optical disk management for preventing its illegal use is proposed.

Abstract: A disc structure for making an inverted optical response through a super-resolution process using a recorded mark portion and a space portion, which is realized to amplify a signal amplitude and solve a conventional problem that a conventional super-resolution technique can obtain only small signals, since the super-resolution area is reduced to realize high density recording of data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with optical data storage media and related devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: Provided is a holographic recording medium including a recording layer in which information is to be holographically recorded, and a light-shielding layer which faces a main surface of the recording layer. The transmittance of the light-shielding layer for a recording light is increased on increasing intensity of the recording light. Alternatively, the light-shielding layer selectively transmits the recording light.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a method for scanning an optical data carrier by means of a main scanning beam being reflected by the data carrier and being detected by means of a photodetector, the data carrier having first and second layers to be scanned, the second layer being scanned through the first layer, light passing the first layer being shaded dependent on local properties of the first layer. An object of the invention is to propose a device having increased performance even for use with multi layer disks having a layer causing light fluctuations on a layer to be scanned, as well as a respective method. According to the invention such device is provided with means for keeping an output signal of the photodetector independent of variations of shading.

Abstract: A CD-ROM has an obscurable section wherein exists a photosensitive mask material layer or constituent operative to alter the optical properties of areas subjected to prolonged exposure to the CD-ROM read laser radiation. Digital information stored on a CD-ROM is made accessible by use of a password, which is generated from user machine unique information, and which is written on the CD-ROM via selective exposure of the CD-ROM to the radiation used to read the CD-ROM.

Abstract: A method of forming a mask pattern includes a formatting step for formatting authoring data in accordance with formats of specified media either by a fixed amount at a time or continuously. The authoring data is obtained by an authoring operation in which base information, such as image information or audio information, is edited. The method of forming a mask pattern also includes a mask pattern generating step in which basic pattern information is generated from basic signal pattern data necessary for various types of optical disks as a result of carrying out a pattern editing operation, and the basic pattern information is used to generate a mask pattern by carrying out a mask pattern generating operation. In the steps of a conventional method, it is necessary to carefully determine the conditions which allow disks produced after a plurality of later operations of the method have been carried out to satisfy standards.

Abstract: A system and method for replicating magnetic patterns on hard disk media includes a mask located over or above a magnetic recording layer. The recording layer may include a single, dual, or multi-layer recording layer. A pattern is or has been formed in the mask, where the pattern defines the recordable regions and the non-recordable regions to be created in one or more layers within the recording layer. Portions of the recording layer are then exposed. An etch may then be performed to create grooves within one or more layers in the exposed regions of the recording layer. The magnetic properties of at least one layer in the exposed portions of the recording layer are then altered in order to create recordable or non-recordable regions. The mask is then removed from the recording layer.

Abstract: An optical sample includes a mask layer made of a material in which an aperture is produced by a chemical change, which is reversible, upon application of heat or light, and a recording layer provided at a position where an evanescent field produced in the aperture when light is applied to the mask layer can reach. Since the aperture is produced in the mask layer by a chemical change, it can be opened and closed at a high speed and hence a high-speed transfer of information can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical disk exhibiting no detrimental thickness increase (edge wedge effect) that arises at the outer diameter of an optical disk substrate during an injection molding manufacturing process, and an apparatus and method for making such a disk. The optical disk of the present invention is designed for use with an optical disk player, especially where the data on the optical disk is stored air incident. This optical disk includes a disk substrate made from a molded polymeric material. The disk substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an outer edge. The first major surface of the optical disk includes a data region having an intermediate portion and an outer portion. The outer portion extends to the outer edge of the optical disk. The disk substrate has a thickness defined by the distance between the first major surface and the second major surface. The optical disk also includes an information layer covering the data region.

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: An optical recording medium in accordance with the present invention is provided with a substrate, a mask layer, provided on the substrate, whose index of refraction changes due to light or heat of the substrate, and a recording layer that is provided away from the mask layer by a distance that is not more than a distance which allows the near-field light to reach. The mask layer generates a minute opaque region in a light spot and the recording layer is a magneto-optical layer. An optical recording and reproduction apparatus in accordance with the present invention uses the optical recording medium. This allows to provide an optical recording medium and an optical recording and reproduction apparatus that can suppress the erasure of recorded marks and carry out the reproduction again and again.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium includes a first substrate, the first substrate including a plurality of first data structures; a second substrate positioned above the first substrate, the second substrate including a plurality of second data structures; a reflective layer positioned on the second substrate to cover the second data structures; and a masking layer interposed between the reflective layer and the first substrate to cover the first data structures, the masking layer having a varying reflectivity to thereby render the second data structures unreadable.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device and a method for scanning an optical data carrier (1) by means of a main scanning beam (3) being reflected by the data carrier (1) and being detected by means of a photodetector (10), the data carrier (1) having first and second layers (11,12) to be scanned, the second layer (12) being scanned through the first layer (11), light passing the first layer (11) being shaded dependent on local properties of the first layer (11). An object of the invention is to propose a device having increased performance even for use with multi layer disks (1) having a layer (11) causing light fluctuations on a layer (12) to be scanned, as well as a respective method. According to the invention such device is provided with means (2,7,17) for keeping an output signal (D) of the photodetector (10) independent of variations of shading.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a recording layer and a mask layer on a substrate. The mask layer is formed of a material whose light transmittance is decreased by light irradiation and is increased by heating.

Abstract: A first recording layer and a second recording layer among a plurality of recording layers have a recording film and a reflection control film composed of silver oxide, and the reflection control film is interposed between dielectric films. The reflection control film utilizes heat generated from the recording film by light irradiation, thereby forming a high-reflection region in a portion at a temperature equal to or higher than a threshold temperature for forming a high-reflection region. Thus, an optical loss in the portions other than a recording layer to be recorded/reproduced is reduced, whereby a light efficiency is enhanced.

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: A recording medium and near-field optical probe utilizing near-field light to achieve high density of information recording and hence enhance resolution in reproducing.

Abstract: An optical disk exhibits enhanced overwrite overwrite characteristics and cross-erase suppression. An optical disk includes a flattening layer formed on a substrate; a reflective layer formed on the flattening layer; a phase-change optical recording layer formed on the reflective layer, the recording layer being changeable between crystalline and amorphous states, portions of the recording layer to become the crystalline state exhibiting reflectivity lower than other portions of the recording layer to become the amorphous state; a plurality of dielectric layers stacked on the recording layer, at least two of the dielectric layers having different optical constants; and a light absorbing layer formed at one location selected from a location between the recording layer and the lowermost layer of the dielectric layers, a location between any of two adjacent layers of the dielectric layers, and a location on the uppermost layer of the dielectric layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical recording medium comprising: a transparent resin substrate on which a groove and a land between the grooves disposed adjacent to each other are formed beforehand, wherein recording position information indicating a recording position with respect to an information signal is recorded beforehand on at least one of the groove and land, and a metal reflective film and protective film are successively formed on the groove and land.

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: A phase change optical recording medium includes at least a supporting substrate and a recording layer essentially consisting of AgInSbTe alloy compositions implementing recording and readout steps utilizing changes in reflectivity. The recording medium is characterized by the relation v0≧0.7 vWH, where the critical relative velocity of phase change, v0, defined by the value of v, at which the differential coefficient, −dR(v)/dv, reaches a maximum, when the recording medium moves against an optical unit during the recording steps at a relative velocity, v, ranging from minimum and maximum relative velocities warranted for the recording medium, vWL and vWH, respectively. When the reflectivity is measured with varying erase power PE at the linear relative scanning velocity v0, the reflectivity of the recording layer as a function of erase power, R(PE), preferably has a minimum. The recording layer has an activation energy of deterioration equal to or greater than 1.

Abstract: An optical information-recording medium comprises (a) a disk-shaped substrate having a first main surface and an a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; an incidence surface of the medium being located to be nearer to the first main surface than the second main surface; (b) a recording layer formed on the substrate; and (c) a signal generation layer formed on the substrate in such a way as to be nearer to the incident surface than the recording layer. The signal generation layer allows an incident light beam irradiated to the incidence surface to pass through and allows a reflected light beam from the recording layer to pass through. The signal generation layer includes a transmittance changing region having a transmittance with respect to the incident light beam different from its neighborhood, thereby generating a repeated transmittance change according to rotation of the medium.

Abstract: A storage media for storage of data thereon is provided. The storage media including: a first layer, the first layer being substantially transparent to a predetermined radiant energy used for reading the data; and a second layer formed on the first layer and being substantially opaque to the radiant energy, the second layer having a pattern comprising a plurality of holes, each of the holes having a largest dimension which is greater than a wavelength of the radiant energy, the data being stored as the presence or absence of a hole in the pattern. Also provided are a method for fabricating the storage media as well as an apparatus and method for reading the data stored on the storage media.

Abstract: An optical recording medium in accordance with the present invention is provided with a substrate, a mask layer, provided on the substrate, whose index of refraction changes due to light or heat of the substrate, and a recording layer that is provided away from the mask layer by a distance that is not more than a distance which allows the near-field light to reach. The mask layer generates a minute opaque region in a light spot and the recording layer is a magneto-optical layer. An optical recording and reproduction apparatus in accordance with the present invention uses the optical recording medium. This allows to provide an optical recording medium and an optical recording and reproduction apparatus that can suppress the erasure of recorded marks and carry out the reproduction again and again.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-wavelength optical disc and an apparatus and method to read or write signal therefor. The multi-wavelength optical disc comprises a substrate and a recording layer comprising various photochromic materials to store more data, and a reflective layer on the recording layer. The apparatus comprises at least one monochromic sources to generate a monochromic light beam, each with different wavelengths, a beam combiner to combine the light beams to a coaxial parallel light beam containing various light signals with different wavelengths, and a beam focalizer to focus the light beam on the optical disc. The apparatus also comprises a beam splitter and light detector to read the data recorded on the disc.

Abstract: Storage density in an optical data storage media and system is increased many times the resolution limit by fully utilizing the much smaller detection limit by differentiating and isolating the active data sites in the media optically. The tracks are preordained and predisposed to a specific optical property and value that is different from that of its “n” nearest neighbors but is identical to its nth neighbor and to the optical properties of the reading and writing optical system.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided with a masking layer on a side of a recording layer for receiving a reproducing beam. The masking layer is prepared from that containing photochromic dye molecules having absorption at the wavelength of the reproducing beam and causing a photon mode reaction by absorbing the reproducing beam to be reduced in absorption.

Abstract: An optical memory is disclosed in which data is stored in an optical data layer capable of selectively altering light such as by changeable transmissivity or polarization. The data is illuminated by controllable light sources and an array of multi-surface imaging lenslets project the image onto a common array of light sensors. Data is organized into a plurality of regions or patches (called pages) in which each page contains a field of data spots that encode multiple states or levels of data by the amount of transmissivity or polarization of that spot. By selective illumination of each data page, one of the lenslets images the selected data page onto the light sensors. Light in the data image pattern strikes different ones of the arrayed light sensors, thereby outputting the multiple levels per spot in the form of electrical data signals that are A/D converted to digital.

Abstract: A photo-mask and a method of manufacturing a photo-mask, which includes the steps of applying a resist film onto a substrate of quartz, glass and the like, subjecting the resist film to light exposure and development to form a fine resist pattern, etching the mask substrate covered by the fine resist pattern, causing a non-light transmitting thin film of Cr, Ta, etc. to adhere thereon by vapor deposition, sputtering and the like, and removing the thin film on the resist pattern together with the resist film, thereby to form the photo-mask.

Abstract: An optical disc has a recording film with information recorded thereon, and a photochromic material film provided adjacent the recording film. The photochromic material film is made of a photochromic material. The photochromic material has a first state irradiated with reading light having a first wavelength. In the first state, the transmittance of the material is increased so as to enable reading of the recorded information. The photochromic material further has a second state irradiated with auxiliary light having a second wavelength, where the transmittance becomes low so as to disable the reading of the recorded information.

Abstract: A mastering method for making a high recording density optical disk is disclosed, in which a substrate with a photosensitive material layer is selectively exposed to a focused laser light having a predetermined power representing information to be recorded. The laser power is such that the exposed width at the top surface of the photosensitive material layer is larger than the exposed width at the bottom surface of the photosensitive material layer. After the development of the layer, the remaining photosensitive material layer is used as an etching mask for the substrate to form pits in the substrate.

Abstract: A photo-mask and a method of manufacturing a photo-mask, which includes the steps of applying a resist film onto a substrate of quartz, glass and the like, subjecting the resist film to light exposure and development to form a fine resist pattern, etching the mask substrate covered by the fine resist pattern causing a non-light transmitting thin film of Cr, Ta, etc. to adhere thereon by vapor deposition, sputtering and the like, and removing the thin film on the resist pattern together with the resist film, thereby to form the photo-mask.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which comprises a diacetylene derivative compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of azulenium salt compounds, pyrylium dyes, diene compounds, croconic methines, and polymethine compounds. An optical recording method is also provided which comprises a step of writing by irradiating with a radiation ray corresponding to a recording information an optical recording medium comprising a polydiacetylene derivative compound and a compound selected from the above-mentioned group.