High capacity digital data storage by transmission of radiant energy through arrays of small diameter holes

A storage media for storage of data thereon, the storage media comprising:

• a first layer being substantially transparent to a radiant energy of predetermined optical wavelength used for reading the data;
• 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, at least one of the holes having a largest dimension which is greater than the predetermined optical wavelength of the radiant energy, the data being stored as the presence or absence of a hole in the pattern;
• and
• a third layer being disposed on the second layer and being substantially transparent to the radiant energy;
• wherein the pattern comprises the plurality of holes arranged along a helix beginning near a center of the storage media and extending spirally outward, each successive pass of the helix being separated from a previous pass of the helix by a track pitch;
• wherein a distance between successive holes is in a range of about 30 to 100 nanometers.

An apparatus for reading a storage media, the storage media comprising a first layer being substantially transparent to a radiant energy of a predetermined optical wavelength 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 data holes, at least one of the data holes having a largest dimension which is greater than the predetermined optical wavelength of the radiant energy, the data being stored as the presence or absence of a data hole in the pattern;
• and a third layer that is disposed on the second layer and is substantially transparent to the radiant energy;
• wherein the first, second, and third layers are configured such that said radiant energy passes through said storage media at substantially the same predetermined optical wavelength, the apparatus comprising:
• a radiant energy source having an output of radiant energy capable of being directed towards said storage media;
• and
• a plurality of detectors configured to detect the radiant energy diffusing from the plurality of data holes of said storage media.

A method for reading a storage media, the storage media comprising a first layer being substantially transparent to a radiant energy of a predetermined optical wavelength 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 data holes, at least one of the data holes having a largest dimension which is greater than the predetermined optical wavelength of the radiant energy, the data being stored as the presence or absence of a data hole in the pattern;
• and a third layer that is disposed on the second layer wherein the third layer is substantially transparent to the radiant energy;
• wherein the first, second, and third layers are configured such that said radiant energy passes through said storage media at substantially the same predetermined optical wavelength, the method comprising:
• directing radiant energy from a radiant energy source towards said storage media;
• and
• detecting the radiant energy diffusing from the data holes of said storage media with a plurality of detectors.