New recordable optical discs with metal thin film and organic film on polycarbonate

Abstract

A new recordable optical disc which has the advantages of low material cost and wavelength dependence was proposed. It consists of a polycarbonate (PC) substrate, a metal thin film, an organic buffer layer, a metal reflective layer and an overcoat. Its recording mechanism was investigated by atomic force microscopy observation of each layer surface and the recording characteristics were evaluated. It was observed that the recording mechanism involves the thermal deformations of the PC substrate, the thin metal film and the organic buffer layer and the recording characteristics are equal to those of a dye-based CD-R.