Back to results
US 6,785,221 B2Granted
Method of producing improved three-dimensional features in data recording structures
AssigneeOptical Disc Corporation
InventorsRichard L. Wilkinson, John H. Rilum, Carlyle J. Eberly, John R. Holmes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method to produce improvements in the shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures, particularly in such structures displaying features of differing dimensional characteristics. The shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure. The method includes dual and/or dithered beam writing onto the structure and improved composition of the active layer of the structure.
Claims56
A method for producing a structure for storing selectively retrievable data, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a data layer of said structure having substantially uniform composition for containing said data;
- b. defining a primary level of said data layer;
- c. identifying an index level upon said structure;
- and
- d. creating, in said data layer, a first three-dimensional feature, at least a portion of said first feature vertically extending from said primary level in a first direction, said first feature having a principal axis substantially parallel to said primary level, a transverse axis substantially normal to said principal axis and parallel to said primary level, and a vertical axis substantially normal both to said principal axis and to said primary level, said first feature characterized in that:
- (1) the transverse extent of said first feature decreases in said first direction;
- (2) the outer shape of the transverse extent of said first feature, measured from the point at which said first feature begins its displacement from said primary level, at one side of said first feature, until the point at which said displacement from said primary level ends at the opposite side of said first feature, including any portion thereof extending in a vertical direction opposite said first direction, displays no substantial slope discontinuity;
- (3) the extent of said first feature:
- (a) along said vertical axis, in respect to said primary level, is not more than approximately 0.25 micron;
- (b) along said transverse axis, measured at one-half its maximum vertical displacement from said primary level in said first direction, is not more than approximately one micron;
- and
- (c) along said principal axis is at least twice as great as the extent of said first feature along said transverse axis;
- and
- (4) the ratio of the maximum displacement of said first feature from said primary level in said first vertical direction to said displacement in said opposite vertical direction excludes a substantially zero value, a substantially infinite value, and values within the range extending from approximately 0.2 to approximately 5.0.
11 more elements
A method for producing a structure for storing selectively retrievable data, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a data layer of said structure for containing said data;
- b. defining a first level of said data layer;
- c. identifying a second level of said data layer substantially parallel to said first level and vertically displaced from said first level in a first direction;
- d. specifying a third level of said data layer substantially parallel to said first and second levels and vertically displaced from said second level in said first direction, and further displaced from said first level in said first direction;
- e. creating, in said data layer, a first three-dimensional data-representing feature, at least a portion of said first feature vertically extending from said second level to said third level, said first feature having a first principal axis substantially parallel to said second level, a transverse axis substantially normal to said first principal axis and parallel to said second level, and a vertical axis substantially normal both to said first principal axis and to said second level, said first feature characterized in that:
- (1) the transverse extent of said first feature is less at said third level than at said second level;
- (2) the transverse extent of said first feature at said second level, from one side of said first feature to the opposite side of said first feature, including any displacement of said first feature from said second level in a vertical direction opposite said first direction, is microscopic;
- and
- (3) the length of said first feature from one end of said first feature to the opposite end of said first feature, along said first principal axis, including any displacement of said first feature in said opposite vertical direction, is not more than approximately 4 microns;
- and
- f. also creating, in said data layer, a second feature, wherein:
- (1) said second feature comprises an elongated, three-dimensional region extending from said first level to said second level, a portion of said elongated region having a second principal axis substantially parallel to, and approximately aligned transversely with, said first principal axis;
- (2) the transverse extent of said second feature is less at said second level than at said first level;
- and
- (3) the transverse extent of said second feature at said first level, measured from one side of said second feature to the opposite side of said second feature, including any displacement of said second feature in said opposite vertical direction, is not less than said transverse extent of said first feature.
12 more elements
A method for producing a structure containing selectively retrievable data, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a data layer of said structure for containing said data;
- b. defining a first level of said data layer;
- c. identifying a second level of said data layer substantially parallel to said first level and vertically displaced from said first level in a first direction;
- d. specifying a third level of said data layer substantially parallel to said first and second levels and vertically displaced from said second level in said first direction, and further displaced from said first level in said first direction;
- e. positioning, in said data layer, an elongated data track, at least a portion of said track being substantially:
- (1) longitudinal;
- and
- (2) normal to said first direction;
- f. creating, in a segment of said data track, a first microscopic data-representing three-dimensional feature, at least a portion of said first feature having:
- (1) a first principal axis substantially parallel to said portion of said data track and approximately aligned transversely therewith;
- (2) a vertical axis substantially normal to said principal axis, said portion of said first feature extending, in the direction of said vertical axis, from said second level to said third level;
- (3) a transverse extent that is less at said third level than at said second level;
- and
- (4) a transverse extent, at said second level, from one side of said first feature to the opposite side of said first feature, including any displacement of said first feature from said second level in a vertical direction opposite said first direction, having a first microscopic dimensional value;
- and
- b. also creating, in a portion of said data track, a second elongated, three-dimensional feature, at least a portion of said second feature having:
- (1) a second principal axis substantially parallel to, and approximately aligned transversely with, said portion of said data track and said first principal axis;
- (2) a vertical axis substantially normal to said second principal axis, said portion of said second feature extending, in the direction of said vertical axis from said first level to said second level;
- (3) a transverse extent that is less at said second level than at said first level;
- and
- (4) a transverse extent, at said first level, from one side of said second feature to the opposite side of said second feature, including any displacement of said second feature from said second level in said opposite vertical direction, having a second microscopic dimensional value, said second dimensional value not less than said first dimensional value.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.