Optical information recording medium, recording and readout methods using the same, optical information recording device, and optical information readout device

An optical information recording medium for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, comprising:

• a recording layer for recording information;
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer, being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam is incident.

A readout method for an optical information recording medium storing, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising:

• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer;
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the heat insulating layer and the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer decreases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer;
• and
• reproducing the information with a light transmitted through the low temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

A readout method for an optical information recording medium storing, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising:

• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer;
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the heat insulating layer and the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer increases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer;
• and
• reproducing the information with a light transmitted through the high temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and
• an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium stores, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium including:
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer;
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the heat insulating layer and the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters;
• and
• the optical pickup uses at least the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer to reproduce information from a minute recording mark less than a diffraction limit of a readout light beam.

A readout method for an optical information recording medium storing, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising;

• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the tint insulation layer, and the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters;
• the method comprising the step of:
• using at least the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer, reproducing a minute recording mark less than a diffraction limit of a readout light beam.

A recording and/or readout method for an optical information recording medium for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising:

• a recording layer for recording information
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AglnSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and he heat insulating layer being provided in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident
• the method comprising the step of:
• using at least the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer, reproducing a minute recording mark less than a diffraction limit of a readout light beam.

A recording and/or readout method for an optical information recording medium for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing readout of the information by Irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising:

• a recording layer or recording information
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film fanned from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer being provided in the order from a side on which the light beam is incident,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer decreases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer and
• reproducing the information with a light transmitted through the low temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

A recording and/or readout method for an optical information recording medium for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium comprising:

• a recording layer for recording information:
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorprion layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer being provided in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so tat the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer increases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer;
• and
• reproducing the information with a light transmitted through the high temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information recording medium storing, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, comprising:

• in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident;
• a film formed from one selected from the group consisting of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3;
• a film formed from Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo;
• a film formed from one of SiN and AIN;
• and a substrate.

An optical information readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and
• an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium stores, on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light bean,, the optical information recording medium including:
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film fanned from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulation layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN. and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the heat insulating layer, and the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters;
• and the optical pickup:
• irradiates the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer decreases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer;
• and
• reproduces the information with a light transmitted through the low temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and
• an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium stores on a substrate, information which can be reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium including:
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• and
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat:
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating lever is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, the heat insulating layer, end the substrate being provided in this order from a side from which the light beam enters;
• and
• the optical pickup:
• irradiates the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer increases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer and
• reproduces the information with a light transmitted through the high temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information recording/readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and
• an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium is for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing recording and/or readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium including:
• a recording layer for recording information
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• and a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer. the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer being provided in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident:
• and
• the optical pickup uses at least the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer, to reproduce a minute recording mark less than a diffraction limit of a readout light beam.

An optical information recording/readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium is for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing recording and/or readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium including;
• a recording layer for recording information:
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN. and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer being provided in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident;
• and
• the optical pickup:
• irradiates the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer decreases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer and reproduces the information with a light transmitted through the low temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information recording/readout device, comprising:

• an optical information recording medium;
• and
• an optical pickup for irradiating the optical information recording medium with a light beam,
• wherein:
• the optical information recording medium is for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for allowing recording and/or readout of the information by irradiation of a light beam, the optical information recording medium including:
• a recording layer for recording information;
• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which raises a temperature of the temperature responsive layer by absorbing the light beam to exchange the light beam into heat:
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• the recording layer, the temperature responsive layer, the light absorption layer, and the heat insulating layer being provided in this order from a side on which the light beam is incident:
• and
• the optical pickup:
• irradiates the optical information recording medium with a light beam so as to generate a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion in a light beam spot of the temperature responsive layer, so that the transmittance of the temperature responsive layer increases in the high temperature portion, and the high temperature portion is further heated by the light absorption layer and the heat insulating layer and
• reproduces the information with a light transmitted through the high temperature portion of the temperature responsive layer.

An optical information recording medium storing information which is reproduced by irradiation of a light beam, comprising:

• a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes according to a change in temperature caused by the irradiation of a light beam;
• a light absorption layer which changes the temperature of the temperature responsive layer;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN,and
• wherein the light absorption layer contains a phase change material, a magnetooptical material, or an alloy of the foregoing materials.

An optical information recording medium for storing information by irradiation of a light beam and for reading out the information by irradiation of a light beam, comprising a temperature responsive layer whose reflectance and/or transmittance changes with a change in temperature caused by the irradiation. of a light beam;

• a light absorption layer which changes a temperature of the temperature responsive layer;
• and
• a heat insulating layer which enables an efficient rise in temperature of the temperature responsive layer,
• wherein the temperature responsive layer is a film formed from one of ZnO, ZnS, SnO2, CeO2, NiO2, In2O3, TiO2, Ta2O5, VO2, and SrTiO3,
• the light absorption layer is a film formed from one of Si, Ge, AgInSbTe, GeSbTe, TbFeCo, DyFeCo, and GdFeCo, and
• the heat insulating layer is a film formed from one of SiN and AIN, and
• wherein the light absorption layer contains a phase change material, a magnetooptical material, or an alloy of the foregoing materials.