Abstract: A metallized azo-ether dye comprising an azo group linking a substituted 3-hydroxy-pyridine nucleus to a phenyl nucleus wherein the phenyl nucleus has an alkoxy or thioether substituent at its 2-position. The dye is useful in the recording layers of optical recording elements.

Abstract: A novel optical recording medium having at least a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrate is herein disclosed, wherein at least one dipyrromethene metal chelate compound represented by formula (1) is contained in the recording layer: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.9 are each independently an alkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; R.sub.2 to R.sub.8 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms; and M is a transition metal.

Abstract: A phase-change optical disc that is adapted to weaken a self-sharpening effect and to be driven by a pulse width modulation system. In the disc, a dielectric layer formed on the surface of a recording layer and a heat flow control layer is sequentially disposed. The heat flow control layer is formed to include a material having a high heat conductivity and a material having a low heat conductivity.

Abstract: A description is given of a rewritable optical information medium having an IPIAIM stack comprising a phase-change recording layer sandwiched between two dielectric layers, a light-absorbing layer of a material like Si, Ge, Mo, or W, a third dielectric layer, and a metal mirror layer. The light-absorbing layer reduces the difference in light absorption between the amorphous state and the crystalline state to a minimum, thus reducing the recording mark distortion. The presence of the light-absorbing layer in this position ensures that the optical phase difference between the amorphous and the crystalline state is almost zero, making the medium suitable for land-groove recording.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprising a substrate having a recording surface provided with emboss pits or guiding grooves, a reflective film formed on the recording surface of the substrate, and a first protective film formed on the reflective film. This information recording medium is featured in that both sides of the information recording medium are constituted by a first surface provided with the protective film and by a second surface formed opposite to the first surface, and that an irradiated light beam is irradiated through the first surface, a recorded information being reproduced based on changes in light intensity of the reflected light beam. The distance between the recording surface of the substrate and the light incident surface is smaller than a thickness of the substrate, and a surface roughness "R" of the light incident surface meets a relationship represented by the following formula (1):R.ltoreq..lambda./(8n) (1)wherein .lambda.

Abstract: In a (Ge,Sb)-Te based optical recording medium of phase change type whose rate determining step in production has been initialization of the recording layer, the time required for production is reduced, and stable recording/reproducing properties are realized from the first overwriting operation. A phase-change type optical recording disc of write once read many-type requiring no initialization is also provided. The optical recording medium comprises a transparent substrate and a recording layer on the transparent substrate. The recording layer comprises at least one Te-based thin film and at least one reactive thin film, and the Te-based thin film is in contact with said reactive thin film. The Te-based thin film is formed from a Te-based material containing at least 95 at % of Te, and the reactive thin film is formed from a (Ge,Sb)-based material mainly comprising Ge and/or Sb. The optical change type material is formed by the mixing of the materials constituting the reactive thin film and Te.

Abstract: A composition of materials that is ferromagnetic and whose properties may be varied by means of an applied electric field and has at least a first and second layer. The first layer may be a substance of the formula III-V, wherein III is at least one element of Group IIIA, and V is at least one of the elements As and Sb and may include other elements of Group VA. The second layer may be a substance of the formula Mn-V, wherein V is at least one of the elements As and Sb present in the first layer. This second layer may be less than approximately 500 nm thick, but thick enough to be ferromagnetic. The first layer and said second layer may be crystalline.

Abstract: A phase change type optical recording medium comprises a dielectric layer 1a, a dielectric layer 1b, a phase change type recording layer and a second dielectric layer in the described order. The recording layer satisfies Ac/Aa.gtoreq.0.8 where Ac is an absorption coefficient of the recording layer in a crystalline region and Aa is an absorption coefficient of the recording layer in an amorphous region. The dielectric layer 1a comprises ZnS--SiO.sub.2 as main components and the dielectric layer 1b comprises a metal nitride or ZnS--SiO.sub.2 having an SiO.sub.2 content of 40 to 80 mol % as main components. At least an area of the second dielectric layer that is in contact with the recording layer comprises a metal nitride, a rare earth oxide, silicon oxide or ZnS--SiO.sub.2 having an SiO.sub.2 content of at least 40 mol% as main components. However, an optical recording medium comprising a dielectric layer 1a having an SiO.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the PCE optical information recording disk under control of not only the crystallization velocity but also the complex index of refraction and thus the reflectance on the disk surface.The PCE optical information recording disk is suitable to be used under the constant angular velocity (the constant rotational numbers wherein the disk has a characteristic that the crystallization velocity is designed to become faster from inside area of the disk to outside area in the radical direction thereof under control of not only the crystallization velocity but also the complex index of refraction and thus the reflectance on the disk surface.

Abstract: The optical recording medium of this invention includes: a first substrate having a first information surface; a semitransparent reflection film formed on the first information surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having a second information surface; a reflection film formed on the second information surface of the second substrate; and an adhesive layer for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first information surface and the second information surface face each other, wherein the thickness of the first substrate is 0.56 mm or more, the thickness of the adhesive layer is 30 .mu.m or more, and the total thickness of the first substrate and the adhesive layer is 0.68 mm or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording medium, in particular to a compact disc, comprising the following layers:a) a transparent substrate with a spiral having an indented or protruding geometry; superposed byb) a recording layer; optionally superposed byc) a protective coating, wherein the recording layer comprises a partially transparent layer; superposed by a transparent buffer layer comprising a cross-linked material; superposed by a thick layer, said layers forming together a Fabry-Perot etalon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change recording medium comprising a crystal section and an amorphous section, characterized in that the difference in reflectivity between the crystal section and the amorphous section is, for example, 15% or more when light with a wavelength of .lambda..sub.1 is applied and the difference in absorptivity between the crystal section and the amorphous section is, for example, 5% or less when light with a wavelength of .lambda..sub.2 is applied. Recording using light with a wavelength of .lambda..sub.2 brings about few opportunities of occurrence of cross-erasure because of a small difference in absorptivity between the crystal section and the amorphous section. Reproduction using light with a wavelength of .lambda..sub.1 after the recording using light with a wavelength of .lambda..sub.2 results in the production of satisfactorily regenerative signals because of a large difference in reflectivity between the crystal section and the amorphous section.

Abstract: A sputtering target for fabricating a recording layer of a phase-change type optical recording medium contains a compound or mixture including as constituent elemets Ag, In, Te and Sb with the respective atomic percent (atom. %) of .alpha., .beta., .gamma. and .delta. thereof being in the relationship of 2.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.30, 3.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.30, 10.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.50, 15.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.83 and .alpha.+.beta.+.gamma.+.delta.=100, and a method of producing the above sputtering target is provided. A phase-change type optical recording medium includes a recording layer containing as constituent elements Ag, In, Te and Sb with the respective atomic percent of .alpha., .beta., .gamma. and .delta. thereof being in the relationship of 0<.alpha..ltoreq.30, 0<.beta..ltoreq.30, 10.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.50, 10.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.80, and .alpha.+.beta.+.gamma.+.delta.

Abstract: A rewritable optical information medium has a phase-change recording layer on the basis of an alloy of Ge--Sb--Te, which composition is situated within the pentagonal area PQRST in a triangular ternary composition diagram. These alloys show a complete erase time of 50 ns or less. CET-values below 45 ns are obtained with alloys situated on the tie-line connecting Te and the compound GeSb.sub.2 Te.sub.4 within the area PQRST. Such a medium is suitable for high speed recording (i.e. at least six times the CD-speed), such as for DVD-RAM and optical tape.

Abstract: This invention is characterized in that information is recorded by injecting electric charge into a charge holding region made from a donor or acceptor, and the recorded information is reproduced by using changes in luminescence characteristics of the luminescent material contained in the charge holding region or a light emitting region formed near the charge holding region, that occur in accordance with the charge condition of the charge holding region.

Abstract: The present application discloses a laser ablative recording material which has one or more image forming layers on a support, and one or more intermediate layers between said image forming layer and said support, wherein:at least one layer from among the layers on the image forming layer side contains a substance having absorption in the laser wavelengths, which is selected from dihydroperimidine-squarilium dyes represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be taken together to form 5 to 6 membered rings.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium comprises, on a substrate, a dielectric layer, a GdFeCo reproducing layer, a non-magnetic layer, and a TbFeCo recording layer. Upon reproduction, a DC magnetic field Hex is applied in the recording direction, and a reproducing light beam is radiated while being modulated to have a low power and a high power in synchronization with a reproducing clock. The reproducing layer is a magnetic film which changes from in-plane magnetization into perpendicular magnetization at a critical temperature Tcr, which has a compensation temperature Tcomp between room temperature and a Curie temperature Tc, and which satisfies Troom<Tcr<Tcomp<Tco<Tc in relation to a Curie temperature Tco of the recording layer.

Abstract: According to the present invention a data card is provided which comprises a heat-mode laser recording medium on a support and wherein said laser recorder medium is covered by a thin flexible glass layer. The data card has a higher mechanical strength, an improved shelf-life and offers better security with regard to counterfeiting. The heat-mode laser recording medium is preferably a metal layer of which the optical reflectivity or density can be changed by laser exposure. The glass layer is preferably a borosilicate glass having a thickness less than 850 .mu.m.

Abstract: An optical disk having high density and excellent quality as well as compatibility with conventional disks is provided. This optical disk is comprised of a disk-shaped substrate formed with a cyclic olefin polymer as its main component and a light-curing resin layer formed on the disk-shaped substrate, wherein a pattern is formed on the light-curing resin layer based on given information. The same effect can be obtained using a heat-curing resin in place of the light-curing resin. Optical disks having superior characteristics can be mass-produced.

Abstract: A dual-layer DVD disc that does not require a stamping step (typically, as part of the 2P prior art manufacturing process) during its manufacture. A polycarbonate substrate is molded and coated with a semireflective data layer in the usual way. A PMMA substrate is molded and coated with a fully reflective data layer. Adhesive is placed on the semireflective data layer, and the fully reflective data layer is transferred from its PMMA substrate to the polycarbonate substrate. The polycarbonate substrate thus ends up with two data layers in conformance with the DVD specifications, and the PMMA substrate can even be recycled for another use.

Abstract: An optical data recording medium utilizing reversible inter-crystalline-amorphous phase changes for recording, reproducing and erasing data as phase changes of a recording film caused by laser beam irradiation. The medium is formed by a lamination of a transparent substrate having tracking guide grooves for laser beam tracking, a base film formed on the substrate, a first protective film formed on the base film, a phase change type recording film formed on the first protective film, a second protective film formed on the recording film, and a reflecting film formed on the second protective film. Thus formed, the medium improves the over-writing characteristics of phase change type optical discs and permits high density recording.

Abstract: An optical information mediumis made up of a transparent substrate, on which are formed a dye recording layer of at least one dyestuff, a reflective layer of metal, and a protective layer in sequence, wherein said protective layer is formed from a plurality layers of resin which are formed sequentially. Further, the reflective layer is made of silver, and the dye recording layer is made of a material which does not contain iodine ion. The protective layer contains a material for trapping molecules and/or ions which corrode the reflective layer. For instance, a metal powder or porous pigment is contained in the protective layer, which is active on or absorbs the molecules and/or ions corroding the reflective layer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a substrate having a pre-groove for focusing and tracking servo operation, and a recording film formed on the substrate, the recording film having optical properties which change in response to the application of at least one of a light beam or heat to a portion of the recording film.

Abstract: In an optical recording information recording medium of a structure having protection layers on both surfaces of a recording layer, overwrite cyclability is improved without deteriorating the reliability of recorded data.To achieve this, the first protection layer is deposited by a sputtering method from a target made of a mixture comprising ZnS and SiO.sub.2 without adding an O.sub.2 gas and a H.sub.2 gas to a sputtering atmosphere, the second protection layer is deposited by a sputtering method using a target made of a mixture comprising ZnS and SiO.sub.2 by adding an O.sub.2 gas and an H.sub.2 gas to the sputtering atmosphere.Especially, an optical information recording medium having a high reliability of recorded data and capable of overwriting of 300,000 cycles or more can be obtained, particularly, by controlling the partial pressure of the added O.sub.2 gas to 10.times.10.sup.-6 -50.times.10.sup.-6 Torr and the partial pressure of the added H.sub.2 gas to 20.times.10.sup.-6 -50.times.10.sup.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a substrate, at least one dielectric layer and a phase change type recording layer. In overwriting, the recording medium should satisfy the condition V.sub.OW /V.sub.OP <1, preferably 0.5.ltoreq.V.sub.OW /V.sub.OP <0.95, where V.sub.OP is the optimum linear velocity and V.sub.OW is a linear velocity for overwriting. This enables the erasability of recorded marks on the medium to be at least 26 dB after the recording medium with the recorded marks has been stored for at least 100 hours at 60 to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical recording medium complying with the DVD standards, having high sensitivity, possessing high dye film stability, having a high C/N ratio during high density recording, and being capable of reducing jitter components contained in reproduced signals, by finding an organic dye thin film and a medium configuration which can be adapted for a short wavelength semiconductor laser (wavelength 500 to 700 nm) and which are satisfactory in optical characteristics, and chemical, photochemical, physical and thermal stability, the optical recording medium comprising at least a recording layer and a metallic reflecting layer laminated on the surface of a grooved resin substrate transparent to laser light; wherein the recording layer comprises an organic thin film consisting essentially of a styrylcyanine dye of a specific structure and adapted for a short wavelength laser.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of fabricating an optical recording medium comprising a phase change type recording layer containing at least one element selected from In, Ag, Te and Sb. The recording layer is formed by a sputtering technique wherein sputtering is carried out while an inert gas and an oxygen gas are introduced in a vacuum chamber in a sputtering system, so that the number of overwritable cycles can be increased by simple means.

Abstract: A digital recording medium, such as a compact disc, having a substrate, a reflective layer and a protective layer includes a near infrared fluorophore in one of the layers. The near infrared fluorophore can be incorporated into the CD by coating, admixing, blending or copolymerization and in an amount to impart a detectable fluorescence from the fluorophore when exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 670 nanometers (nm) to about 1100 nm. A method of marking a CD with an invisible marking and an apparatus for detecting the fluorophore is further provided.

Abstract: A phase change type optical recording medium of Ge--Sb--Te system wherein number of overwritable operation has been increased is provided. The optical recording medium has a substrate and a recording layer of phase change type on the substrate, and the recording layer contains Ge, Sb and Te as its main elements, and at least one of Ag and Au in total content of 0.2 to less than 2.5 at % (excluding 2.5 at %).

Abstract: A phase-change optical recording medium has a substrate, and a lower heat-resistant protective layer, a recording layer capable of recording and erasing information by utilizing changes in the phase of a phase-change recording material in the recording layer, an upper heat-resistant protective layer and a light reflecting and heat dissipating layer, which are successively overlaid on the substrate in this order, the recording material including Ag, In, Sb and Te as the main elements, at least one additional element selected from the group (1) consisting of B, C, N, Al, Si and P, and at least one additional element selected from the group (2) consisting of halogen atoms and alkali metal elements.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium capable of direct overwriting in a light intensity modulation mode comprises a magnetic multilayer structure comprising, in order form an surface side thereof, a readout layer R.sub.01, a memory layer M.sub.1, an exchange force control layer C.sub.12 and a recording layer W.sub.2, four layers in all. The magnetic multilayer structure satisfies TC.sub.W2 >Tc.sub.M1, t.sub.R01 /(t.sub.R01 +t.sub.M1)=0.3 to 0.6, and t.sub.R01 +t.sub.M1 =20 to 40 nm where Tc.sub.M1 is a Curie temperature of M.sub.1, Tc.sub.W2 is a Curie temperature of W.sub.2, t.sub.R01 is a thickness of R.sub.01, and t.sub.M1 is a thickness of M.sub.1. R.sub.01 contains Gd, Fe, and Co as main components with the proviso that Gd is contained in an amount of 23 to 27 at %, M.sub.1 contains Tb, Fe, and Co as main components with the proviso that Tb is contained in an amount of 21 to 25 at %, and C.sub.

Abstract: In an optical disk obtained by pasting two substrates, air bubbles and the like are removed from an adhesive layer between the substrates pasted together, and the thickness irregularity of the adhesive layer is suppressed to an allowable value or less. A spacer having a predetermined thickness is concentrically placed on a substrate. An adhesive is applied onto a surface of the substrate on which the spacer is placed. Another substrate is placed on the surface of the substrate on which the adhesive is applied. The substrates are rotated about the spacer at a high speed. The excessive adhesive sandwiched between the substrates is expelled, together with air bubbles and the like, by using the centrifugal force produced by the rotation. With this process, an adhesive layer having a thickness determined by the thickness of the spacer is left between the two substrates.

Abstract: An information recording carrier has a substrate with at least one fine pattern row. On the substrate, a recording layer, a delamination-proof layer and a protective layer are sequentially superposed. In manufacturing, firstly, the recording layer is formed on the substrate. A first resin is then applied onto the recording layer. The first resin is then cured to form the delamination-proof layer. A second resin is next applied onto the delamination-proof layer. The second resin is then cured to form the protective layer.

Abstract: An optical disc comprising a disc having a signal- recording layer, wherein a treated layer having a surface electric resistance of from 1.times.10.sup.3 to 1.times.10.sup.13 .OMEGA. is formed on the signal-recording layer, and the surface of the treated layer is subjected to electrophotographic printing. The optical disc can be desirably used as an optical disc, in which digital signals can be recorded, reproduced or erased, such as a digital audio disc, such as a compact disc, a video disc, or a CD-ROM.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having at least one aluminum nitride and silicon nitride composite dielectric layer is provided. The amount of aluminum nitride in the dielectric layer, x, is more than zero and less than or equal to about 95 mol %. The amount of silicon nitride in the layer is represented as (100-x) and is equal to or greater than about 5 and less than 100 mol %. The refractive index of the composite dielectric layer is between about 1.70 and 2.15. The composite dielectric layer is sandwiched between a transparent support such as a plastic transparent support and an optical recording layer adapted to be irradiated by laser light in order to read, write or erase information in order to protect the recording layer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium of phase change type which exhibits an increased number of overwritable operations is provided. The optical recording medium comprises a substrate, and a first dielectric layer, a recording layer, a second dielectric layer, and a metal reflective layer disposed on the substrate in this order, and the first dielectric layer comprises a dielectric layer 1a on the side of the substrate and a dielectric layer 1b in contact with the recording layer. The dielectric layer 1a comprises ZnS--SiO.sub.2, and the dielectric layer 1b comprises Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 and/or Ge.sub.3 N.sub.4. The second dielectric layer may comprise a single layer of ZnS--SiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2 or oxide of a rare earth metal. The second dielectric layer may also comprise a laminate of a dielectric layer 2a comprising ZnS--SiO.sub.2 on the side of the substrate and a dielectric layer 2b comprising SiO.sub.2 or oxide of a rare earth metal on the side of the reflective layer. The dielectric layer 1b has a thickness of 0.

Abstract: An optical memory system includes memory cells which utilize synthetic DNA as a component of the information storage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, memory cells contain one or more chromophoric memory units attached to a support substrate. Each chromophoric memory unit comprises a donor, an acceptor and, at some time during its existence, an active quencher associated with the donor and/or the acceptor. The donor and the acceptor permit non-radiative energy transfer, preferably by Forster energy transfer. To write to the memory cell, the quencher is rendered inactive, preferably by illumination with ultraviolet light. To read, the chromophoric memory units in a read portal are illuminated, and the read illumination is detected. In the preferred embodiment, multiple chromophoric memory units having resolvable read properties are contained within a single read portal. In this way, a multibit word of data may be read from a single diffraction limited read portal.

Abstract: A write-once-read-many type optical disk and a method for fabricating the same. The write-once optical disk includes a thin Fe--Zr--H recording layer formed on a substrate.

Abstract: An optical disc having a recording film formed on one surface of a plastics substrate transparent to light, a first protection film formed on the recording film, a moisture proof film formed on the other surface of the substrate, and a second protection film formed on the moisture proof film.

Abstract: An improved optical recording medium is provided, and includes a surface of the optical recording medium having at least pits and grooves formed therein, a recording layer formed adjacent the surface of said optical recording medium, and a light transmissive layer formed adjacent the recording layer. Information is recorded and/or reproduced by irradiation of light from an optical pickup employing an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 0.7 or larger through the light transmission layer. At least a surface layer of said light transmissive layer is formed of a material having a Young's modulus of 70 GPa or larger thereby greatly reducing or eliminating scratches from the surface of the optical recording medium while allowing for an increase in the storage capacity of the optical storage medium.

Abstract: A triple substrate optical disk comprises a center substrate layer, a top substrate layer, a bottom substrate layer, a top adhesion layer bonding the top substrate layer to the center substrate layer and a bottom adhesion layer bonding the center substrate layer to the bottom substrate layer. The center substrate layer has a center substrate containing a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, a first recording layer deposited on the top surface of the center substrate and a second recording layer deposited on the bottom surface of the center substrate. The top substrate layer includes a top substrate and a third recording layer, wherein the top substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface thereof and the third recording layer is deposited on the bottom surface of the top substrate.

Abstract: An optical recording medium including a substrate which transmits light, which has a main surface, and which has a groove defined in the main surface; a recording layer formed on the main surface; and a metal reflection layer formed on the recording layer, wherein the recording layer is a thin film comprised of organic dye, contains at least one cyanine dye represented by general formula (I) as a main constituent, and is capable of corresponding to short-wavelength laser beam: ##STR1## where X- represents an iodide ion, a bromide ion, a perchlorate ion, a borofluoride ion, a tetrafluorophosphate ion, a tetrafluoroantimonate ion, a methylsulfate ion or a methylbenzenesulfonate ion; one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 represents a C.sub.3-18 substituent having an unsaturated bond, and another one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents a C.sub.3-18 substituent having one of an unsaturated bond, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an alkoxy group; Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a substrate and a recording layer which is formed on the substrate and contains an azo metal chelate compound including an azo moiety of formula (I) and a bivalent or trivalent metal; ##STR1## wherein X is OH group, CooH group or CONH.sub.2 group; Y is a residual group forming a heterocyclic ring in combination with nitrogen atoms bonded thereto; and Z is a residual group forming an aromatic ring in combination with carbon atoms bonded thereto. In addition, there is provided a method of recording information and reproducing the information using the above-mentioned optical recording medium.

Abstract: A high density optical disc having an optical disc protective structure for enabling a high density information recording and retrieval optical disc. The optical disc includes: a first protective film coated by a few tens of microns, on the reading surface of the optical disc, the first protective film having good transmissivity and high hardness against abrasion; and a second protective film coated by a few microns and having a lower surface energy and a minute molecular structure, providing protection against fingerprints on the surface of the first protective film.

Abstract: An optical disc in which a desired exchange reciprocal action is displayed between two sorts of the rare earth-transition metal alloy films to realize optimum recording/reproducing characteristics, and a manufacturing method for the optical disc. To this end, an optical disc 1 includes a first rare earth-transition metal alloy film containing rare earth elements and transition elements and a second rare earth-transition metal alloy film layered on the first rare earth-transition metal alloy film. The second rare earth-transition metal alloy film has a composition different from that of the first rare earth-transition metal alloy film and contains rare earth elements and transition elements. An oxidized area defined between the first rare earth-transition metal alloy film and the second rare earth-transition metal alloy film has an oxygen content not higher than 2.5 atom % and a thickness not larger than 7 nm.

Abstract: An optical memory material includes a two-photon storage component which can be written from a first to a second state in response to WRITE light, mixed with a signal component which fluoresces by one-photon absorption only at the written locations in response to READ light. The storage material may be a fulgide. The memory material may also include a frequency upconversion material to aid writing. Writing is performed by a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a dynamic focussing system, for concentrating sufficient power at WRITE locations for nonlinear two-photon absorption. Crosstalk is avoided during simultaneous writing in some embodiments, by spacing the individual WRITE beams apart by an integer number of inter-beam spacings, so that non-adjacent datels are written simultaneously in a "paragraph," and the non-written areas are written at a different time with different paragraphs.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a substrate, and a light absorption layer formed thereon which includes a phthalocyanine compound (I), a phthalocyanine compound (II) and a phthalocyanine compound (III) as specified in the specification. This optical information recording medium can be produced by providing the light absorption layer, directly or via an intermediate layer, on a substrate with information pits and/or guide grooves being formed on the surface thereof by film formation coating, providing a light reflection layer, directly or via an intermediate layer, on the light absorption layer by vacuum film formation, and then providing a protective layer on the light reflection layer.

Abstract: An integrated read/write head structure saves and retrieves saved data stored in storage locations on a ferroelectric optical storage medium. A first ultra-violet light source generates a single beam for exciting the electrons of a ferroelectric molecule of the optical storage medium. An induced electric field transducer orients the potential difference of the ferroelectric molecule during saving data. A second ultra-violet light source generates a single beam and a MOSFET transistor detects the electric fields from a ferroelectric molecule.

Abstract: An improved optical data storage medium and a method of forming and utilizing such a medium. One such optical data storage medium has a substrate having an upper surface including a series of physical deformations which encode data. A reflective film stack carried by the upper surface of the substrate includes both a reflective layer and an overlayer. The reflective layer is formed of a reflective metal and is able to generate a readable data stream from a reflected data reading light. The overlayer is formed of a material which has a higher Young's modulus and/or a higher modulus of compression than the reflective metal and is less reflective of the reading light than is the reflective metal at the same thickness. A protective layer is carried behind the reflective film stack and may serve to protect the reflective film stack against physical damage and environmental attack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for internally damping a rotatable storage article which is subject to resonant vibrations. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of improving the damping properties of a rotatable storage article by introducing a viscoelastic material as an inner layer(s) of the rotatable storage article. The invention also provides the damped rotatable storage articles themselves.