US 2003/0193875 A1 · Hybrid discs

Abstract

A hybrid disc whose ROM grooves are less than 170 nanometers deep, and whose pre-recorded ROM data pits are more than 350 nanometers or less than 250 nanometers deep, as measured from the effective land level. The ROM pits may be pre-recorded in ROM grooves that are shallower than the ROM pits, where the ROM pits are narrower, of equivalent width or up to approximately 10% wider than the ROM grooves, respectively measured at half-depth, although the transverse extent of the ROM pits will not typically exceed that of the ROM grooves. The ROM lands intervene between consecutive ROM pits, whether or not a ROM groove is provided. In the preferred embodiment, one beam of a dual beam apparatus records the ROM pits, while the other beam records the R-band pre-grooves, and also records the ROM groove, if present. In most embodiments a thermal mastering process provides smooth feature surfaces to facilitate replication of the hybrid disc masters. The berms normally forming at the radial extremities of the pits and grooves in the masters, by thermal expulsion processes, may be reduced or eliminated by methods taught.

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Drawings

Claims28

Dependent claims

A hybrid structure comprising:

a. a first region storing selectively retrievable data,
(1) a quantum of said data represented, in said first region, by a first data feature, each said first data feature comprising a three-dimensional first principal feature, said first principal feature having a longitudinal first feature dimension, a microscopic transverse first feature dimension normal to said longitudinal first feature dimension and co-planar therewith in a first feature plane and a microscopic vertical first feature dimension normal to said first feature plane, said plurality of first data features stored, in said first region, longitudinally along a portion of a first track in said hybrid structure;
(2) said portion of said first track, having a longitudinal first track dimension, a microscopic transverse first track dimension normal to said longitudinal first track dimension and co-planar therewith in a first track plane and a microscopic vertical first track dimension normal to said first track plane;
said first region further comprising:
(3) an effective land level vertically displaced in a first direction from said first track plane and from said first data feature,
(a) the extent of said vertical first feature dimension, measured from said effective land level, exceeds 350 nanometers, and
(b) the extent of said vertical first track dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 170 nanometers;
and
b. a second region comprising a second track, a portion of said second track having a longitudinal second track dimension, a microscopic transverse second track dimension normal to said longitudinal second track dimension and co-planar therewith in a second track plane, and a microscopic vertical second track dimension normal to said second track plane.

6 more elements

A hybrid structure comprising:

a. a first region storing selectively retrievable data,
(1) a quantum of said data represented, in said first region, by a first data feature, each said first data feature comprising a three-dimensional first principal feature, said first principal feature having a longitudinal first feature dimension, a microscopic transverse first feature dimension normal to said longitudinal first feature dimension and co-planar therewith in a first feature plane and a microscopic vertical first feature dimension normal to said first feature plane, said plurality of first data features stored, in said first region, longitudinally along a portion of a first track in said hybrid structure;
(2) said portion of said first track, having a longitudinal first track dimension, a microscopic transverse first track dimension normal to said longitudinal first track dimension and co-planar therewith in a first track plane and a microscopic vertical first track dimension normal to said first track plane;
said first region further comprising:
(3) an effective land level vertically displaced in a first direction from said first track plane and from said first data feature,
(a) the extent of said vertical first feature dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 250 nanometers, and
(b) the extent of said vertical first track dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 170 nanometers;
and
b. a second region comprising a second track, a portion of said second track having a longitudinal second track dimension, a microscopic transverse second track dimension normal to said longitudinal second track dimension and co-planar therewith in a second track plane, and a microscopic vertical second track dimension normal to said second track plane.

6 more elements

A parent hybrid disc structure comprising:

a. a first region storing selectively retrievable data,
(1) a quantum of said data represented, in said first region, by a first data feature, each said first data feature comprising a three-dimensional first principal feature, said first principal feature having a longitudinal first feature dimension, a microscopic transverse first feature dimension normal to said longitudinal first feature dimension and co-planar therewith in a first feature plane and a microscopic vertical first feature dimension normal to said first feature plane, said plurality of first data features stored, in said first region, longitudinally along a portion of a first track in said hybrid structure;
(2) said portion of said first track, having a longitudinal first track dimension, a microscopic transverse first track dimension normal to said longitudinal first track dimension and co-planar therewith in a first track plane and a microscopic vertical first track dimension normal to said first track plane;
said first region further comprising:
(3) an effective land level vertically displaced in a first direction from said first track plane and from said first data feature,
(a) the extent of said vertical first feature dimension, measured from said effective land level, exceeds 350 nanometers, and
(b) the extent of said vertical first track dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 170 nanometers;
and
b. a second region comprising a second track, a portion of said second track having a longitudinal second track dimension, a microscopic transverse second track dimension normal to said longitudinal second track dimension and co-planar therewith in a second track plane, and a microscopic vertical second track dimension normal to said second track plane;
and wherein:
c. said parent structure is configured so that a final hybrid structure may be produced therefrom, said final hybrid structure containing
(1) secondary data features representing, respectively, the quanta of data represented by the corresponding first data features, said data being selectively retrievable from said final hybrid structure;
and
(2) a guide track, corresponding to said second track, into which tertiary features representing quanta of further data may selectively be recorded and from which said further data may be selectively retrieved.

11 more elements

A parent hybrid disc structure comprising:

a. a first region storing selectively retrievable data,
(1) a quantum of said data represented, in said first region, by a first data feature, each said first data feature comprising a three-dimensional first principal feature, said first principal feature having a longitudinal first feature dimension, a microscopic transverse first feature dimension normal to said longitudinal first feature dimension and co-planar therewith in a first feature plane and a microscopic vertical first feature dimension normal to said first feature plane, said plurality of first data features stored, in said first region, longitudinally along a portion of a first track in said hybrid structure;
(2) said portion of said first track, having a longitudinal first track dimension, a microscopic transverse first track dimension normal to said longitudinal first track dimension and co-planar therewith in a first track plane and a microscopic vertical first track dimension normal to said first track plane;
said first region further comprising:
(3) an effective land level vertically displaced in a first direction from said first track plane and from said first data feature,
(a) the extent of said vertical first feature dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 250 nanometers, and
(b) the extent of said vertical first track dimension, measured from said effective land level, is less than 170 nanometers;
and
b. a second region comprising a second track, a portion of said second track having a longitudinal second track dimension, a microscopic transverse second track dimension normal to said longitudinal second track dimension and co-planar therewith in a second track plane, and a microscopic vertical second track dimension normal to said second track plane;
and wherein:
c. said parent structure is configured so that a final hybrid structure may be produced therefrom, said final hybrid structure containing
(1) secondary data features representing, respectively, the quanta of data represented by the corresponding first data features, said data being selectively retrievable from said final hybrid structure;
and
(2) a guide track, corresponding to said second track, into which tertiary features representing quanta of further data may selectively be recorded and from which said further data may be selectively retrieved.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description22,651 words

Summary7,643 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to improved hybrid optical recording discs, together with apparatus and methods for manufacturing them.

#2. Description of Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings26 figures

#FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of a hybrid disc mastering apparatus, without the improvements of the present invention, into which the preferred embodiment of the invention may be incorporated, where a gas laser write beam is employed.

#FIG. 2 is a generalized block diagram of a hybrid disc mastering apparatus, without the improvements of the present invention, into which the preferred embodiment of the invention may be incorporated, employing a diode laser write beam.

#FIG. 3 a schematic plan view of a ROM or R band data pit in a hybrid disc illustrating the parameters of single beam (PP) CD tracking.

Detailed description14,207 words

#For convenience, the ensuing discussion will initially concentrate on CD hybrid disc manufacture utilizing dye-polymer mastering, although the invention is by no means limited to that format or context. In particular, it will be noted that, while reference will often be made to the dye-polymer method, any suitable thermal process for forming the desired features in the hybrid disc master—in contrast, e.g., with prior art PR, or other photoengraving, processes—could be utilized.

#Once again, “thermal process” refers generally herein to any process by which controlled, thermally induced microscopic changes may be made in a medium, in the context of hybrid disc mastering. In such a thermal process, an optical (e.g., laser) or quasi-optical (e.g., ion or electron) beam causes formation of a three-dimensional feature in or on a layer of substantially uniform composition as the result of heat locally generated by the beam. This is in contrast to a purely optical method, such as the PR method, where it is the quantity of light that ultimately effects formation of the feature, rather than heat generated by the beam.

#The ensuing discussion will proceed as follows: First, the improved method of recording a hybrid disc master, employing the thermal dye-polymer process, will be thoroughly discussed. The various configurations of the resulting features of the hybrid disc master will then be identified and explained, in terms of their preferred interrelationships ensuring that the final hybrid discs, and later-recorded hybrid discs, will reliably meet Orange Book specifications, and that the ROM areas of thereof will reliably meet incorporated Red Book Specifications. Following this will be a brief discussion of the process of replicating such a hybrid disc master to produce clear replica hybrid discs, since CD manufacturing from recorded masters is well known, and no significant departures from conventional CD replication methods are necessary in clear replica hybrid disc production. Then, since spin coating and associated processes are well known and dye manufacturers frequently specify such procedures in detail, in connection with recording speed certification, this discussion will conclude with a brief review of the steps in converting the clear replica hybrid discs into final hybrid discs that will meet applicable specifications. Finally, there will be a brief summarizing discussion generalizing these teachings in respect to different formats, both present and future.

Facts

Application

10/391,691Filed 18 Mar 2003

Priority

26 Apr 2000

Published

16 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G11B 7/0079
Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks , actual track shape, e.g. wobbled, or cross-section, e.g. v-shaped;…:…
G11B 7/24076
Tracks: cross sectional shape in the radial direction of a disc, e.g. asymmetrical cross sectional shape
G11B 7/24079
Tracks: width or depth
G11B 7/24085
Tracks or pits; Shape, structure or physical properties thereof: pits

Family

Application09/558,071Continuation in part · filed 26 Apr 2000

Application10/255,027Continuation in part · filed 25 Sep 2002

Application10/391,691Continuation in part · filed 18 Mar 2003

US 2003/0067862 A1Published application

US 6,570,840 B1Related patent

US 7,016,295 B2Related patent

US 7,054,260 B2Related patent

US 2003/0193875 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Hybrid discs

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Hybrid discs

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Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims28

Description22,651 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description22,651 words