Rewritable Dual-Layer Phase-Change Optical Disk

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a rewritable phase-change optical disk with a dual-layer structure. To obtain equivalent signal amplitude and recording sensitivity from the medium located on the beam incident side (the first medium) and the medium beneath (the second medium), we developed a high transmittance first medium featuring a very thin recording film (7 nm) and no reflection layer, and a high recording sensitivity and high reflectivity second medium with a semi-transparent front layer and a reflection layer. We confirmed a jitter of approximately 10% for both media at a recording density corresponding to 8.5 GB on a 120 mm disk. The laser power required to record on the first medium was 12 mW, and the second medium, 13 mW. It was also confirmed that the new rewritable dual-layer phase-change optical disk possesses the potential for operation with a blue laser.