Application of diamond-like carbon film to phase-change optical recording discs

The recent development of now optical recording media is oriented toward hi gh-density optical systems, in which data storage protection becomes very c ritical. Amorphous carbon films deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition are very smooth and possess high mass density, low friction coe fficient, and very large values of hardness and elastic modulus. In this st udy, diamond-like carbon (DLC) film coatings on phase-change recording medi a are characterized using an atomic force microscope (AFM), UV-visible spec trometer and disc testers. The influence of mechanical, optical and structu ral properties of DLC films on the surface and spectral properties and elec trical signals of discs with various DLC film thicknesses are investigated. The results of our studies indicate that DLC films indeed provide a suitab le coating for protecting data stored on phase-change optical discs.