Computer optical data storage

Heat. As mentioned above most molecules lose energy from the excited state as heat. The most efficient molecules for converting electromagnetic radiation into heat are those that absorb in the near-IR region, i.e., infrared absorbers (IRAs). There has been much interest in IRAs because of their use in laser thermal transfer, optical data storage [the older write-once read-many (WORM) and the newer compact disc recordable (CD-R) and digital versatile disc recordable (DVD-R) systems], computer-to-plate printing, and as solar screens for car windscreens and windows. 

Optically active polymers (OAPs) have made many significant contributions to optical fibers for cable TV, optical scanners, optical fiber telephone cables, optical data storage, optical monitors for antilock brakes, optical fiber dashboard displays, computer-generated optical elements, optical inspection of labeling and packaging, optical stereo-lithography and many more. 

The main interest in this book is the use of laser addressable dyes in optical data recording, specifically WORM (write once read many times) used in the industrial and institutional arena for the mass storage of data, and CD-R used in smaller scale computing, educational and entertainment outlets. 

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