Method for writing and reading data on a multi-layer recordable interferometric optical disc and method for fabricating such

The product of an optical disc made by the process of:

• fabricating a clear plastic substrate or glass disc in the shape of a flat disk approximately 0.6-1.2 millimeters thick;
• depositing a polymer solution on a prerecording grooved master disc;
• spinning said master disc with said polymer solution to form a first clear film having a first micron thickness;
• curing said first clear film to harden it;
• peeling-off said first clear film from said master and attaching it to said clear plastic or glass substrate;
• depositing a first color dye and plastic layer over said first clear film, wherein the materials of said first color dye and plastic layer and said first clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• depositing a first partially reflective metal layer over said first color dye and plastic layer;
• depositing a polymer solution on a pre-recording grooved master disc;
• spinning said master disc with said polymer solution to form a second clear film having a second micron thickness substantially different from said first submicron thickness;
• curing said second clear film to harden it;
• peeling-off said second clear film from said master and attaching it to said clear plastic or glass substrate;
• depositing a second color dye and plastic layer over said second clear film, wherein said second color dye color is different from said first color dye, and wherein the materials of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• and
• depositing a second partially reflective metal layer over said second color dye and plastic layer.

An optical disc writing system, comprising:

• a clear plastic or glass substrate in the shape of a flat disk approximately 0.6-1.2 millimeters thick;
• a first clear film with pre-recording grooves having a first micron thickness attached to the substrate;
• a first color dye and plastic layer deposited over the first clear film, wherein the materials of said first color dye and plastic layer and the first clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a first partially reflective metal layer deposited over said first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second clear film with pre-recording grooves having a second micron thickness substantially different from the first micron thickness, and deposited over the first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second color dye and plastic layer deposited over the second clear film, wherein said second color dye color is different from said first color dye, and wherein the materials of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a second partially reflective metal layer deposited over said second color dye and plastic layer;
• means for writing a first set of data to said first color dye and plastic layer and said first clear film by heating portions of said first color dye and plastic layer with a laser "W1" of the same color such that said heated portions of said first color dye and plastic layer shrink in thickness and said first clear film expands in thickness, wherein the transmissivity of light through said heated and not heated portions is substantially different for a first monochromatic laser light, and wherein said first monochromatic light has a submicron color;
• and
• means for writing a second set of data to said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film by heating portions of said second color dye and plastic layer with a laser "W2" of the same color such that said heated portions of said second color dye and plastic layer shrink in thickness and said second clear film expands in thickness, wherein the transmissivity of light through said heated and not heated portions is substantially different for a second monochromatic laser light, and wherein said second monochromatic light has a micron color substantially different from said first monochromatic light.

An optical disc reading system, comprising:

• a clear plastic or glass substrate in the shape of a flat disk approximately 0.6-1.2 millimeters thick;
• a first clear film with pre-recording grooves having a first micron thickness attached to the substrate;
• a first color dye and plastic layer deposited over the first clear film, wherein the materials of said first color dye and plastic layer and the first clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a first partially reflective metal layer deposited over said first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second clear film with pre-recording grooves having a second micron thickness substantially different from the first submicron thickness, and deposited over the first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second color dye and plastic layer deposited over the second clear film, wherein said second color dye color is different from said first color dye, and wherein the materials of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a second partially reflective metal layer deposited over said second color dye and plastic layer;
• means for reading said first set of data by exposing said heated and not heated portions of said first color dye and plastic layer and said first clear film with said first monochromatic laser light "R1" and interpreting said light intensity variation as representing digital encoding of said first set of data;
• and
• means for reading said second set of data by exposing said heated and not heated portions of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film with said second monochromatic laser light "R2" and interpreting said light intensity variation as representing digital encoding of said second set of data.

An optical disc writing and reading system, comprising:

• a clear plastic or glass substrate in the shape of a flat disk approximately 0.6-1.2 millimeters thick;
• a first clear film with pre-recording grooves having a first submicron thickness attached to the substrate;
• a first color dye and plastic layer deposited over the first clear film, wherein the materials of said first color dye and plastic layer and the first clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a first partially reflective metal layer deposited over said first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second clear film with pre-recording grooves having a second micron thickness substantially different from the first micron thickness, and deposited over the first color dye and plastic layer;
• a second color dye and plastic layer deposited over the second clear film, wherein said second color dye color is different from said first color dye, and wherein the materials of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film have substantially different indices of refraction;
• a second partially reflective metal layer deposited over said second color dye and plastic layer;
• means for writing a first set of data to said first color dye and plastic layer and said first clear film by heating portions of said first color dye and plastic layer with a laser "W1" of the same color such that said heated portions of said first color dye and plastic layer shrink in thickness and said first clear film expands in thickness, wherein the transmissivity of light through said heated and not heated portions is substantially different for a first monochromatic laser light, and wherein said first monochromatic light has a submicron wavelength;
• means for writing a second set of data to said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film by heating portions of said second color dye and plastic layer with a laser "W2" of the same color such that said heated portions of said second color dye and plastic layer shrink in thickness and said second clear film expands in thickness, wherein the transmissivity of light through said heated and not heated portions is substantially different for a second monochromatic laser light, and wherein said second monochromatic light has a submicron wavelength substantially different from said first monochromatic light;
• means for reading said first set of data by exposing said heated and not heated portions of said first color dye and plastic layer and said first clear film with said first monochromatic laser light "R1" and interpreting said light intensity variations as representing digital encoding of said first set of data;
• and
• means for reading said second set of data by exposing said heated and not heated portions of said second color dye and plastic layer and said second clear film with said second monochromatic laser light "R2" and interpreting said light intensity variations as representing digital encoding of said second set of data.