SUBTLE EFFECTS OF THE SUBSTRATE IN OPTICAL DISK DATA-STORAGE SYSTEMS

Much attention has been focused on the effects of the disk substrate i n optical data storage. In particular, substrate birefringence has bee n studied extensively because it causes significant problems in magnet o-optic systems. We investigate certain subtle effects of the substrat e, such as feedback into the laser diode, in compact disk and phase-ch ange systems. Our analysis of the compact disk system led us to discov er a new technique for the rapid measurement of the substrate birefrin gence. We also address the question of how focusing the laser beam thr ough the substrate will affect the depth of focus. (C) 1996 Optical So ciety of America