Lasers optical data storage

Fig. 16. Maximum achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on read-out of different writable optical data storage systems as a function of the writing energy (laser power) (121). SQS = Organic dye system (WORM) PC = phase change system (TeSeSb) MO = magnetooptical system (GbTbFe). See text.

By the sol-gel-process, inorganic glassy and hybrid polymeric materials are accessible at comparatively low temperatures [1], Therefore, organic molecules or dyes can easily be incorporated into the oxide matrix. This combination is especially attractive for the development of the following devices optical filters, solid-state lasers, optical switches, nonlinear optical laser hosts, optical data storage media, and photoconductive devices and films [2]. 

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. 

Frequency Doubling. As the name implies, in frequency doubling a substance doubles the frequency of the incident laser radiation. This effect is important in telecommunications and optical data storage. For example, in telecommunications the most efficient way to transmit data is by using infrared radiation, e g., 1200 nm radiation from an indium phosphide laser [60], Detection of infrared radiation is inefficient. In contrast, visible radiation is much easier to detect but is an inefficient transmitter of data. Consequently, an important application of nonlinear optical (NLO) materials is to convert infrared radiation into visible and thus enable easier detection of the signal. 

Frequency doubling in optical data storage would enable more data to be stored per unit area (ca. fourfold) because of the smaller spot size of the frequency-doubled radiation. However, the availability of low-cost semiconductor lasers, combined with the wavelengths required for CD-R and DVD-R systems (see earlier), has reduced the need for NLO materials in this area. 

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