The invention relates generally to bit-wise holographic storage, and more particularly, to a novel holographic disc structure with embedded tracks for real-time recording and readout.
As computing power has advanced, computing technology has entered new application areas, such as consumer video, data archiving, document storage, imaging, and movie production, among others. These applications have provided a continuing push to develop data storage techniques that have increased storage capacity. Further, increases in storage capacity have both enabled and promoted the development of technologies that have gone far beyond the initial expectations of the developers, such as gaming, among others.
The progressively higher storage capacities for optical storage systems provide a good example of the developments in data storage technologies. The compact disc, or CD, format, developed in the early 1980s, has a capacity of around 650-700 MB of data, or around 74-80 min. of a two channel audio program. In comparison, the digital versatile disc (DVD) format, developed in the early 1990s, has a capacity of around 4.7 GB (single layer) or 8.5 GB (dual layer). The higher storage capacity of the DVD is sufficient to store full-length feature films at older video resolutions (for example, PAL at about 720 (h)×576 (v) pixels, or NTSC at about 720 (h)×480 (v) pixels).
However, as higher resolution video formats, such as high-definition television (HDTV) (at about 1920 (h)×1080 (v) pixels for 1080 p), have become popular, storage formats capable of holding full-length feature films recorded at these resolutions have become desirable. This has prompted the development of high-capacity recording formats, such as the Blu-ray DiSc™ format, which is capable of holding about 25 GB in a single-layer disc, or 50 GB in a dual-layer disc. As resolution of video displays, and other technologies, continue to develop, storage media with ever-higher capacities will become more important. One developing storage technology that may meet the capacity requirements for some time to come is based on holographic storage.
Holographic storage is the storage of data in the form of holograms, which are images of three dimensional interference patterns created by the intersection of two beams of light in a photosensitive storage medium. Both page-based holographic techniques and bit-wise holographic techniques have been pursued. In page-based holographic data storage, a data beam which contains digitally encoded data is superposed on a reference beam within the volume of the storage medium resulting in a chemical reaction which, for example, changes or modulates the refractive index of the medium within the volume. This modulation serves to record both the intensity and phase information from the signal. Each bit is therefore generally stored as a part of the interference pattern. The hologram can later be retrieved by exposing the storage medium to the reference beam alone, which interacts with the stored holographic data to generate a reconstructed data beam proportional to the initial data beam used to store the holographic image.
In bit-wise holography or micro-holographic data storage, every bit is written as a micro-hologram, or reflection grating, typically generated by two counter propagating focused recording beams. The data is then retrieved by using a read beam to diffract off the micro-hologram to reconstruct the recording beam. Accordingly, micro-holographic data storage is more similar to current technologies than page-wise holographic storage. However, in contrast to the two layers of data storage that may be used in DVD and Blu-ray Disc™ formats, holographic discs may have 50 or 100 layers of data storage, providing data storage capacities that may be measured in terabytes (TB).
Although holographic storage systems may provide much higher storage capacities than prior optical systems, vibration and wobble of the holographic disc in an optical media player may be larger than a typical micro-hologram size. Consequently, vibration and wobble displacement of the spinning disc may cause problems in recording and readout of the optical disc.
An aspect of the invention includes an optical disc for micro-holographic data storage, having: optically-enabled material configured to store holographic data; guide grooves; a first coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam; and a second coating disposed to cover the guide grooves and disposed on the first coating.
An aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a holographic data storage disc, including: molding a holographic-enabled material in a disc shape with guide grooves; applying a first coating to the guide grooves, wherein the first coating is configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam; and applying a second coating to cover the guide grooves, wherein the second coating is dispose on the first coating.
An aspect of the invention includes a multi-layer optical disc for micro-holographic data storage, having: a substrate layer; at least one layer of optically-enabled material; guide grooves; a coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam; and a cover layer.
An aspect of the invention relates to a method of recording, reading, and tracking a holographic data storage disc, including: impinging a record beam on the holographic data storage disc to store or read a micro-hologram in a data region of the holographic data storage disc, wherein a width of the data region is at least 50 micrometers (μm); impinging and reflecting a tracking beam on a guide groove of the holographic data storage disc, wherein the tracking beam comprises a different wavelength than the record beam and read beam; and detecting and analyzing the reflected tracking beam to control a position of the record beam or read beam on the holographic data storage disc.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
The present technique relates generally to bit-wise holographic storage, and more particularly, to a holographic disc structure with embedded tracks for real-time recording and readout. For a discussion of various aspects of bit-wise holographic data storage, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,695, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Turning now to the drawings,
The location of some of the optical elements 14 over the optical data disc 12 is controlled by a tracking servo 24 through a mechanical actuator 26 which is configured to move the optical elements back and forth over the surface of the optical data disc 12. The optical drive electronics 22 and the tracking servo 24 are controlled by a processor 28. In some embodiments, the tracking servo 24 or the optical drive electronics 22 may be capable of determining the position of the optical elements 14 based on sampling information received by the optical elements 14.
The processor 28 also controls a motor controller 30 which provides the power 32 to a spindle motor 34. The spindle motor 34 is coupled to a spindle 36 that controls the rotational speed of the optical data disc 12. As the optical elements 14 are moved from the outside edge of the optical data disc 12 closer to the spindle 36, the rotational speed of the optical data disc may be increased by the processor 28. This may be performed to keep the data rate of the data from the optical data disc 12 essentially the same when the optical elements 14 are at the outer edge as when the optical elements are at the inner edge. The maximum rotational speed of the disc may be about 500 revolutions per minute (rpm), 1000 rpm, 1500 rpm, 3000 rpm, 5000 rpm, 10,000 rpm, or higher.
The processor 28 is connected to random access memory or RAM 38 and read only memory or ROM 40. The ROM 40 contains the programs that allow the processor 28 to control the tracking servo 24, optical drive electronics 22, and motor controller 30. Further, the ROM 40 also contains programs that allow the processor 28 to analyze data from the optical drive electronics 22, which has been stored in the RAM 38, among others. As discussed in further detail herein, such analysis of the data stored in the RAM 38 may include, for example, demodulation, decoding or other functions necessary to convert the information from the optical data disc 12 into a data stream that may be used by other units.
If the optical drive system 10 is a commercial unit, such as a consumer electronic device, it may have controls to allow the processor 28 to be accessed and controlled by a user. Such controls may take the form of panel controls 42, such as keyboards, program selection switches and the like. Further, control of the processor 28 may be performed by a remote receiver 44. The remote receiver 44 may be configured to receive a control signal 46 from a remote control 48. The control signal 46 may take the form of an infrared beam, an acoustic signal, or a radio signal, among others.
After the processor 28 has analyzed the data stored in the RAM 38 to generate a data stream, the data stream may be provided by the processor 28 to other units. For example, the data may be provided as a digital data stream through a network interface 50 to external digital units, such as computers or other devices located on an external network. Alternatively, the processor 28 may provide the digital data stream to a consumer electronics digital interface 52, such as a high-definition multi-media interface (HDMI), or other high-speed interfaces, such as a USB port, among others. The processor 28 may also have other connected interface units such as a digital-to-analog signal processor 54. The digital-to-analog signal processor 54 may allow the processor 28 to provide an analog signal for output to other types of devices, such as to an analog input signal on a television or to an audio signal input to an amplification system.
The drive 10 may be used to read an optical data disc 12 containing data as shown in
Injection moldable thermo-plastic based disc materials may be utilized in discs for micro-holographic data storage. Similar to conventional CD/DVD, the disc may spin relatively fast in the optical media player at hundreds or thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm) in a real-time recording and readout system. Vibration and wobble of the disc may be typically up to 100 μm, which is larger than a typical micro-hologram size (e.g., <10 μm). Therefore, tracks on the disc may be employed to enable real-time tracking and focusing. The present technique is directed to a disc structure with embedded tracks for real-time recording and readout. In general, threshold response is desirable from the materials for multi-layer micro-holographic storage. Threshold materials may include dye-doped thermo-plastics, block-copolymers, energy transfer material, and so on. For a discussion of threshold materials of bit-wise holographic data storage, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,695, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Further, a light source 84 emits a tracking beam 86 at a second wavelength which passes through a beam splitter 88 and depth selecting optics 90. The tracking beam 86 passes through the dichroic mirror 70, quarter wave plate 72, and the lens 74 to the disc 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the tracking beam 86 reflects off the disc 12 (e.g., near or at the bottom the disc), which may have a reflective layer, tracks, grooves, and the like. The reflected tracking beam 92 passes through the lens 74, quarter wave plate 72, dichroic mirror 70, collecting optics 90, beam splitter 88, and collecting optics 94 to a detector 96.
Again, in a micro-holographic system, the bit size is typically less than a micron. However, during real-time recording or readout, the disc has significant vibration and wobble, typically up to 100 μm. As the disc vibrates/wobbles by such a distance, the beam condition in the disc changes significantly and thus can't perform proper record and readout. The present technique may use a disc design with tracks embedded so that combined with an appropriate optical system, focusing and tracking can be performed and multi-layer micro-hologram record/read may be achieved in real-time.
In certain embodiments, a coating 104, such as a standard dichroic coating, is disposed on the tracks 102. The coating 104 may enhance the reflection of the servo beam from the grooves to provide an enhanced servo (tracking and focusing) signals. The coating 104 is configured generally to have reduced or no impact (of the grooves on the record and readout beams, which are at a different wavelength than the tracking beam. The coating 104 may even enhance transmission of the record and readout beams. The coating 104 may include layers of inorganic material, such as titanium dioxide, silica dioxide, nitrides, and so forth. The coating 104 may be deposited on the grooves 102 by vapor deposition, evaporation, or sputtering methods, and the like.
A second coating 106 may be placed on the groove side on top of the dichroic coating 104. The coating 106 may reduce the wavefront distortion/diffraction impact by the tracks 102 on the recording/readout beam. The coating 106 may be planarized and act as a protection layer. Exemplary materials for the coating 106 may include ultraviolet (UV) curable acrylate (e.g., spot-on and UV cured), and the like, and may have the same or similar refractive index as the recordable material.
The tracks 102 are configured to receive a tracking beam to accommodate undesirable displacement (wobble, axial runout, etc) of a spinning disc 12 in an optical media player. Also, with one layer of tracks 102, multi-layers of data can be recorded and readout with a proper optical design. In general, the tracking beam wavelength may be different from the record/read beam wavelength. Groove structures may be modified when the tracking wavelength is changed. A similar structure may be used for discs of different material, such as dye-doped thermo-plastic discs, block-copolymer discs, and the like.
A reflective coating 104 (reflective to the wavelength of a tracking beam), such as a dichroic coating, may be deposited on the grooves 102 (block 124). As mentioned, the coating 104 may be applied to the grooves and tracks 102 by vapor deposition, for example. The coating 104 may be a multi-layer dielectric having alternating layers of different dielectric materials. The coating 104 may be configured to transmit the record/read beam wavelengths (e.g., 405 nm) and to reflect the tracking beam wavelength (e.g., 780 nm or 650 nm). In addition, a second coating 106 (e.g., acrylate) may be applied to the tracks 102 having the reflective coating 104 to cover the grooves (block 126). The second coating 106 may be planarized and configured to reduce disturbance to the read beam or record beam. In all, the disc 12 may be a substantially monolithic structure.
In general, the disc 12 parameters, which include disc thickness, disc size, track features, track location, coating features, cover layers, additional protection layers, and so forth, can be modified to accommodate different record/read wavelength and tracking wavelength as well as other practical disc fabrication and optical design concerns. The disc 12 may include both the tracks for tracking/focusing and the disc layer structure. An associated optical system design may achieve multi-layer storage using a single layer of tracks. Real-time, multi-layer, multi-track, micro-holographic storage through the volume of the disc 12 may be achieved. For a discussion of optically-enabled materials and manufacturing of holographic data storage discs, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,695, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In summary, the present technique may be directed to an optical disc for micro-holographic data storage. The disc may include optically-enabled material configured to store holographic data and guide grooves. The disc may include a first coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam, and a second coating disposed to cover the guide grooves and disposed on the first coating. In certain embodiments, the disc may be largely monolithic. The optically-enabled material may have data layers of micro-holograms. The optically-enabled material may include a threshold material (e.g., a phase-change material, a energy transfer material, a thermo-chromic material, etc.) that is optically-enabled. The guide grooves may be molded as part of the optically-enabled material, and may include spiral tracks, wobble structures, or synchronization marks, or any combination thereof.
The disc may be manufacture as a holographic data storage disc. The disc may be molded (e.g., injection-molded) of holographic-enabled material in a disc shape with guide grooves. A first coating may be applied to the guide grooves, wherein the first coating is configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam. Applying the first coating may include depositing, evaporating, or sputtering a coating (e.g., dichroic coating) on the guide grooves, or any combination thereof. A second coating may be disposed (e.g., spin-coated) on the first coating to cover the guide grooves, wherein the second coating is dispose on the first coating.
In another example, a multi-layer optical disc for micro-holographic data storage, includes a substrate layer, at least one layer of optically-enabled material (e.g., thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1.2 mm thick), and guide grooves. A coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam. The disc may also have a cover layer (e.g., acrylate). Further the disc may have an intermediate layer (e.g., not active) disposed between other layers of the disc, such as between two layers of optically-enabled material. Lastly, the guide groves may be disposed at different locations. For example, the guide grooves may disposed adjacent the substrate layer, the cover layer, or between layers of optically-enabled material, and so on.
A technique of recording, reading, and tracking a holographic data storage disc, includes: impinging a record beam on the holographic data storage disc to store or read a micro-hologram in a data region of the holographic data storage disc, wherein a width of the data region is at least 50 micrometers (μm); impinging and reflecting a tracking beam on a guide groove of the holographic data storage disc, wherein the tracking beam comprises a different wavelength than the record beam and read beam; and detecting and analyzing the reflected tracking beam to control a position of the record beam or read beam on the holographic data storage disc.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
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