KR20070066375A - Optical information recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical information recording apparatus and a recording method, comprising a reduced optical system for storing optical information in a reduced optical system storage medium in which signal and reference light are concentrated and irradiated onto the front surface of the storage medium to store optical information on the front surface of the storage medium. In addition, the data pattern formed in the mask can be densely integrated and stored in the storage medium, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced by using a relatively low-cost conical prism, thereby reducing the mass replication cost of the storage medium. It can be effective.

Description

Optical information recording apparatus and recording method {method and apparatus for recording optical information}

1 is a block diagram showing an optical information recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a simplified diagram showing a reduced optical system of an optical information recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart showing an optical information recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

100: light source

114: polarized light splitter

124: first reflecting mirror

126: signal light expander

134: second reflecting mirror

136: reference light expander

142: signal light reduction optical member

144: reference light reduction optical member

The present invention relates to an optical information processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an optical information recording apparatus and a recording method capable of recording high-density optical information on a small disk using a reduced optical system.

Optical data processing devices include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), HD-DVD (High Density Digital Versatile Disc), blue-ray disc, near field light processing device and holographic light processing device. have.

The holographic light processing apparatus stores a data by irradiating a storage medium with an optical modulated signal beam and a reference beam that intersects the signal light to form an interference pattern on the storage medium. The reproduction of the data scans only the reference light into the interference fringe of the storage medium so that the data input to the storage medium is output by diffraction generated from the interference fringe.

Such a holographic light processing apparatus may store data in multiple ways by irradiating a reference light to a beam spot at different angles. The multi-input data can be output by irradiating only the reference light at different angles during reproduction. In other words, the holographic light processing device is a supercapacitive data storage device capable of inputting and outputting data in a multi-layered and overlapping state at one light spot.

However, since the holographic light processing device is a method of recording data by sequentially irradiating signal light and reference light to a local part of the storage medium, mainly Holm Write Once, Read Many (WORM) method or RW (ReWritable) method. This is applied to the graphics light processing device.

 Therefore, such a storage method is impossible to mass-distribute the same storage medium through a fast data replication technology such as a read-only memory (ROM) method. Accordingly, the development of a holographic optical processing apparatus capable of replicating a large amount of storage media has emerged.

Accordingly, a holographic disk storage system using a high speed data replication technique has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-233908 (2002.02.07, Holographic Disk Storage System, Sony).

The patent discloses a mask (source disk) for forming a data pattern of a signal light and a conical beam shaper for forming an irradiation angle of a reference light, in order to solve the disadvantage of taking a long time for replication in a conventional holographic light processing apparatus. ).

Such a patent forms a signal light loaded with data as it passes through the front surface of a mask on which a data pattern is formed, and forms a reference light by a conical light former such as a conical reflector, a conical prism, an inverted conical prism, and a storage medium. To store data in

That is, high-capacity data storage for a short time is achieved by storing the data by injecting the signal light loaded with data into the front surface of the storage medium and simultaneously entering the front side of the storage medium with the reference light having the same angle reflected from the reflection surface of the conical light former. It is possible.

By using such a conical light former for controlling the incident angle of parallel light, it is possible to precisely control the angle of the reference light during recording. However, in the case of the conical light forming machine, there are many limitations on the size and the reflection position, and it is difficult to manufacture it by requiring high precision.

In addition, a mask used for replicating a large amount of storage medium is mainly a photomask using a semiconductor process or manufactured by applying a glass mastering process.

However, in the case of using a photomask in the semiconductor process as described above, there is a problem in that the recording density of the hologram is limited since it is less than a DVD having a line width of about 0.4 μm with a line width of about 0.7 μm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical information recording apparatus and a recording method which can improve the density of data loaded on signal light and stored in a storage medium.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive optical information recording apparatus and recording method by improving an optical system for setting an optical path of reference light.

An optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the light source; An optical split optical system that splits the light emitted from the light source; A signal light optical system for forming a signal light including data by passing one light split by the optical split optical system through a transmission data mask; A reference light optical system for injecting another light split by the optical split optical system into a storage medium as a reference light for recording optical information; And a reduced optical system for condensing the signal light passing through the signal light optical system and the reference light passing through the reference light optical system and irradiating the front surface of the storage medium to store optical information.

Preferably, the optical information is a holographic interference fringe formed by interference between the signal light and the reference light.

The optical split optical system includes: a light source adjusting member for adjusting a characteristic of light emitted from the light source; And a polarization light splitter for dividing the light extended by the light expander into the signal light and the reference light.

The signal light optical system includes: a signal light adjusting member for adjusting an optical characteristic of the signal light; A signal light expander for expanding the signal light to a size corresponding to the front surface of the mask; A first reflection mirror for switching a path of the signal light; And a mask for loading data into the signal light.

The signal light adjusting member is preferably a polarizing plate for adjusting the polarization state of the signal light.

The first reflecting mirror is preferably a rotating mirror to adjust the optical path of the signal light so that the signal light is irradiated on the entire surface of the mask.

The reference light optical system includes: a reference light adjusting member for adjusting an optical characteristic of the reference light; A reference light expander for expanding the reference light to a size larger than the front surface of the storage medium; And a second reflecting mirror for switching the path of the reference light.

The reference light adjusting member is preferably a polarizing plate for adjusting the polarization state of the signal light.

The second reflecting mirror is preferably a rotating mirror to adjust the light path of the reference light so that the reference light is irradiated on the front surface of the storage medium.

The reduced optical system may further include: a signal light reduction optical member configured to reduce the width of the signal light irradiated on the front surface of the mask and to load data onto the entire surface of the storage medium; And a reference light reduction optical member configured to irradiate the reference light split by the optical split optical system with a predetermined angle on the entire surface of the other surface of the storage medium.

The signal light reduction optical member preferably has a signal light reduction optical member that has the same parallel light as the signal light loaded through the mask and is loaded with data, and reduces the width thereof.

The signal light reduction optical member is preferably formed by a combination of a plurality of converging lenses and diverging lenses.

The reference light reduction optical member is preferably provided with a reference light optical member for irradiating the reference light on the front surface of the storage medium with the same inclination angle with respect to the center of the storage medium.

The reference light reduction optical member may be a conical prism having the same central axis as the central axis of the storage medium and having the same inclined surface with respect to the central axis.

Optical information recording method according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the light emitting step of emitting a light source; A light splitting step of dividing the emitted light source into signal light and reference light; A data loading step of loading data by passing the divided signal light through a mask; A signal light irradiation step of irradiating the entire surface of the storage medium by reducing the signal light loaded with data; A reference light irradiation step of irradiating the divided reference light to the other side of the storage medium; And converting the reference light irradiated onto the other surface of the storage medium into a predetermined angle parallel to the reference light switching step of irradiating the entire surface of the other surface of the storage medium.

The light emitting step may further include expanding the light source to a size capable of irradiating the entire area of the effective data area of the mask.

The data loading step may further include a signal light adjusting step for adjusting an optical characteristic of the signal light.

The reference light irradiation step, preferably further comprises a reference light adjusting step for adjusting the optical characteristics of the reference light.

Hereinafter, an optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, in describing the present invention, terms defined are defined in consideration of functions in the present invention. Therefore, the technical components of the present invention are not to be understood as a meaning, and if functional similarity and identity thereof, even if the modified embodiment can be adopted as an equivalent configuration.

In addition, the code added to each component is described for convenience of description. However, the contents shown in the drawings in which these symbols are described do not limit each component to the ranges in the drawings. Similarly, even if an embodiment in which the configuration on the drawings is partially modified is employed, it can be regarded as an equivalent configuration if there is functional similarity and identity.

1 is a block diagram showing an optical information recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a simplified view showing a reduced optical system of the optical information recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention controls the light source 100 for generating light, the light L emitted from the light source 100, and divides it into a signal light P and a reference light S. An optical split optical system, a signal optical optical system for loading data formed in the mask M into the signal light P divided by the optical split optical system, and a reference light optical system for forming a path of the reference light S divided by the optical split optical system; And a reduction optical system for allowing the signal light P passing through the signal light optical system and the reference light S passing through the reference light optical system to enter the storage medium D.

The storage medium D may be a kind of photopolymers. Such a storage medium (D) is, for example, DuPont product name "HRR-660" or Aprils product name "ULSH-500", polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, polymethylmethacrylate), etc. are used. Can be. And other kinds of photopolymer may be adopted, and may be formed in the form of a disk.

The light source 100 generates light L having a predetermined wavelength, and the light L generated by the light source 100 is a parallel light beam, which is a plane wave-type laser light having excellent coherent. It is preferred, for example, to have the wavelength required for holographic data storage.

The optical splitting optical system includes a light source adjusting member 112 and a polarizer beam splitter 114.

Here, the light source adjusting member 112 may be provided as a polarizing plate, a photosensitive filter, and the like. The light source adjusting member 112 may be installed when precise adjustment is required such as the intensity and uniformity of the light L, and the signal light P It may not be installed if the characteristics of) are guaranteed.

The polarized light splitter 114 divides the light L emitted from the light source 100 into the signal light P and the reference light S. The polarized light splitter 114 repeatedly deposits two or more kinds of materials having different refractive indices. Has The polarized light splitter 14 has a polarization beam splitting surface 114a for polarizing and splits incident light L. The polarizing splitting surface 114a transmits the signal light P and reflects the reference light S. Play a role of

The signal light optical system is for loading a data pattern formed in the mask M onto the signal light P divided by the optical split optical system, and the characteristics of the signal light P (for example, the intensity and uniformity of the signal light P). The signal light adjusting member 122 for adjusting the light source, the first reflecting mirror 124 for switching the path of the signal light P, and the optical path through which the signal light P passes. And a signal light expander 126.

Here, the signal light adjusting member 122 for adjusting the characteristics of the signal light (P) may be provided as a polarizing plate, a photosensitive filter, and the like, and such a signal light adjusting member 122 is installed when precise control of the signal light (P) is required. If the characteristics of the signal light P are guaranteed, they may not be installed.

The first reflection mirror 124 switches the optical path of the signal light P to pass through the mask M. A rotating mirror is employed to adjust the optical path. Such a rotating mirror is preferably a galvano mirror.

In addition, the signal light expander 126 is composed of a plurality of lenses and expands the incident signal light P to an appropriate size for exposure. For example, the signal light expander 126 is a size capable of irradiating the entire area of the effective data area of the mask M. Is preferably expanded to.

The signal light P whose optical path is adjusted by the first reflection mirror 124 is irradiated on the entire surface of the transmissive mask M on which the data pattern is formed. Accordingly, the signal light P passing through the mask M is modulated in amplitude and / or phase so that data to be stored in the storage medium D is loaded. The signal light P loaded with data is incident to the signal light reduction optical member 142 of the reduction optical system, which will be described later.

The reference light optical system is to irradiate the storage medium D with the reference light S divided by the optical split optical system at a predetermined angle, and adjusts the characteristics of the reference light S (for example, the intensity and uniformity of the reference light). A reference light expander 136 provided on the reference light adjusting member 132, a second reflection mirror 134 for switching the light path of the reference light, and an optical path through which the reference light S passes, and expanding the reference light S. ).

Here, the reference light adjusting member 132 plays the same role as the signal light adjusting member, and the same optical member as the signal light adjusting member 122 is used, and may not be installed if the characteristics of the reference light S are guaranteed.

The second reflection mirror 134 switches the optical path of the signal light P to pass through the mask M, and a rotating mirror is employed to adjust the optical path. Such a rotating mirror is preferably a galvano mirror. The first and second reflection mirrors 124 and 134 may be provided in plural numbers to form optical paths of the signal light P and the reference light S, respectively.

In addition, the reference light expander 136 is composed of a plurality of lenses to expand the incident light to a size suitable for exposure, for example, enlarged to a size capable of irradiating an area larger than the data storage area of the storage medium (D). It is desirable to be. This is because the irradiation area of the reference light S is reduced by the reference light reduction optical member 144 which will be described later.

Accordingly, the reference light S whose optical path is adjusted by the second reflection mirror 134 is incident on the reference light reduction optical member 144 of the reduction optical system, which will be described later, and irradiated to the storage medium D at a predetermined angle.

The reduced optical system includes a signal light reduction optical member 142 to which the above-described signal light P is incident, and a reference light reduction optical member 144 to which the reference light S is incident.

Here, the signal light reduction optical member 142 reduces the width of the signal light P, which is irradiated to the entire surface of the mask M, to which the data is loaded, and irradiates the entire surface of the storage medium D, and the signal light having the data loaded thereon. It has the same parallel light as (P), but its area is reduced. The signal light reduction optical member 142 may be formed by combining a plurality of converging lenses (aka convex lenses) and diverging lenses (aka concave lenses), or may be formed by combining a plurality of prisms.

The signal light reduction optical member 142 increases the density of the signal light P to the small storage medium by using the existing mask M and irradiates the small storage medium, or passes through a mask in which a large amount of data patterns are formed. The density of a signal light can be increased to irradiate existing storage media.

In addition, the reference light reduction optical member 144 may include the reference light S divided by the optical splitting optical system on a front surface of the storage medium D on the other side with respect to one surface of the storage medium D to which the signal light P is irradiated. It is for irradiating at an angle, and is provided on the other side of the storage medium (D) to form the reference light (S) having a predetermined angle in a cylindrical symmetry with respect to the center of the storage medium (D).

The reference light reduction optical member 144 is preferably formed of a conical prism having the same inclined surface with respect to the central axis. However, it may be formed by combining a plurality of conical prisms or inverted conical prisms to form the irradiation angle of the reference light (S).

Therefore, when the reference light S is incident on the reference light reduction optical member 144 while the centers of the reference light reduction optical member 144, the storage medium D, and the reference light S coincide with each other, the reference light S is the reference light reduction optical. The member 144 is irradiated to the storage medium D with the same inclination angle with respect to the center of the storage medium D.

Accordingly, the optical information recording method using the optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail through the embodiment. Each element mentioned below should be understood with reference to the above description and FIGS. 1 to 2.

3 is a flowchart showing an optical information recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, light L is emitted from the light source 100 to store optical information. The light L emitted therefrom is controlled by the light source adjusting member 112 to adjust its characteristics (eg, intensity, uniformity, polarization, etc.), and the adjusted light L is incident on the polarized light splitter 114. The light L incident to the polarized light splitter 114 is divided into a signal light P and a reference light S. That is, the signal light P is transmitted through the polarized light splitter 114, and the reference light S is reflected by the polarization split surface 114a of the polarized light splitter 114 to be reflected in the direction perpendicular to the signal light P ( Step S110).

Accordingly, the optical characteristic of the signal light P is adjusted by the signal light adjusting member 122, and the signal light expander 126 is extended to a size capable of irradiating the entire data area of the mask M by the signal light expander 126, so that the first reflection mirror ( 124 is incident on the entire surface of the mask M. As shown in FIG. The signal light P incident on the entire surface of the mask M is loaded with data formed on the mask M while its amplitude and / or phase is modulated by a data pattern formed on the mask M, and the signal light P loaded with data. ) Is incident on the signal light reduction optical member 142.

And the optical characteristic of the reference light (S) is controlled by the reference light adjusting member 132, the irradiation area is enlarged by the reference light expander 136, the reference light reduction optical member ( 144) (step S120).

Meanwhile, the signal light P incident on the signal light reduction optical member 142 has the same parallel light by the signal light reduction optical member 142, but is incident on one surface of the storage medium D with its area reduced. . In addition, the reference light S incident on the reference light reduction optical member 144 is irradiated to the other surface of the storage medium D with the same inclination angle around the center of the reference light reduction optical member 144 (step S130). .

Accordingly, the holographic interference fringe is formed on the storage medium D by the interference between the signal light P incident on the storage medium D and the reference light S. This interference fringe becomes desired optical information (step S140).

On the other hand, using the other mask having a data pattern different from that of the mask M described above, and the reference light reduction optical member 144 having a different irradiation angle from the reference light reduction optical member 144 described above, recording is superimposed on the storage medium D. can do.

The optical information recording apparatus and recording method according to the present invention as described above can be applied to a standard storage medium that satisfies a normal standard. For example, by using a standard mask applied to a conventional standard storage medium, data can be stored in a storage medium smaller than a normal standard by increasing its density. Alternatively, a mask in which a pattern of more data is formed than a standard mask can be stored. Data can be stored at higher density on the storage medium.

Although described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention as described above, those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims The present invention may be practiced in various ways.

For example, an element having another additional function is added in the optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention. Or it may be replaced by another component. However, if the modified other embodiments include the essential components of the present invention, and store the optical information using the reduced optical system all should be considered to be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to extend the light emitted from the light source of the optical expander to a size suitable for exposure, it can be installed on the optical path of the signal light and / or reference light respectively. have.

As described above, according to the optical information recording apparatus according to the present invention, by using a reduced optical system when storing the optical information, there is an effect that the data pattern formed on the mask can be integrated in a high density and stored in the storage medium.

In addition, by using a relatively low-cost conical prism, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device, thereby reducing the mass replication cost of the storage medium.

Claims (18)

Light source; An optical split optical system that splits the light emitted from the light source; A signal light optical system for forming a signal light including data by passing one light split by the optical split optical system through a transmission data mask; A reference light optical system for injecting another light split by the optical split optical system into a storage medium as a reference light for recording optical information; And And a reduced optical system for condensing the signal light passing through the signal light optical system and the reference light passing through the reference light optical system and irradiating the front surface of the storage medium to store optical information. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical information, And a holographic interference fringe formed by interference of the signal light and the reference light. The optical split optical system of claim 1, A light source adjusting member for adjusting a property of light emitted from the light source; And And a polarized light splitter for dividing the light extended by the optical expander into the signal light and the reference light. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal light optical system, A signal light adjusting member for adjusting an optical characteristic of the signal light; A signal light expander for expanding the signal light to a size corresponding to the front surface of the mask; A first reflection mirror for switching a path of the signal light; And And a mask for loading data into the signal light. The method of claim 4, wherein the signal light adjusting member, Optical information storage device, characterized in that the polarizing plate for adjusting the polarization state of the signal light. The method of claim 4, wherein the first reflecting mirror, And a rotation mirror which adjusts an optical path of the signal light so that the signal light is irradiated to the front surface of the mask. The optical system of claim 1, wherein A reference light adjusting member for adjusting an optical characteristic of the reference light; A reference light expander for expanding the reference light to a size larger than the front surface of the storage medium; And a second reflecting mirror for switching a path of the reference light. The method of claim 7, wherein the reference light adjusting member, Optical information storage device, characterized in that the polarizing plate for adjusting the polarization state of the signal light. The method of claim 7, wherein the second reflecting mirror, And a rotation mirror to adjust the optical path of the reference light so that the reference light is irradiated to the front surface of the storage medium. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced optical system, A signal light reduction optical member configured to reduce the width of the signal light irradiated on the front surface of the mask and to load data onto the entire surface of the storage medium; And And a reference light reduction optical member for irradiating the reference light divided by the optical split optical system with a predetermined angle on the front surface of the other side of the storage medium. The method of claim 10, wherein the signal light reduction optical member, And a signal light reduction optical member which has the same parallel light as the signal light loaded through the mask and loaded with data, and reduces the width thereof. The optical signal reducing optical member of claim 11, An optical information recording apparatus, characterized in that formed by a combination of a plurality of converging lenses and diverging lenses. The method of claim 10, wherein the reference light reduction optical member, And a reference light optical member for irradiating the reference light to the front surface of the storage medium with the same inclination angle with respect to the center of the storage medium. The optical light reducing optical member of claim 13, And a conical prism having the same central axis as the central axis of the storage medium and having the same inclined surface with respect to the central axis. A light emitting step of emitting a light source; A light splitting step of dividing the emitted light source into signal light and reference light; A data loading step of loading data by passing the divided signal light through a mask; A signal light irradiation step of irradiating the entire surface of the storage medium by reducing the signal light loaded with data; A reference light irradiation step of irradiating the divided reference light to the other side of the storage medium; And converting the reference light irradiated to the other surface of the storage medium into a predetermined angle parallel to the reference light switching step of irradiating the entire surface of the other surface of the storage medium. The method of claim 15, wherein the light emitting step, And expanding the light source to a size capable of irradiating the entire area of the effective data area of the mask. The method of claim 15, wherein the data loading step And a signal light adjusting step for adjusting an optical characteristic of the signal light. The method of claim 15, wherein the reference light irradiation step And a reference light adjusting step for adjusting an optical characteristic of the reference light.

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