Multilayer optical data storage is a promising approach for realizing terabyte-capacity media for applications in enterprise archival data storage. We report on our highly scalable roll-to-roll co-extrusion manufacturing process for producing multilayer films with nanoscale active layers with easy fabrication into optical discs. We describe the optical pickup unit for dynamic testing at commercial speeds as well as results on writing and reading an eight-layer disc. Tests indicate that our materials are capable of high-fidelity recording with low, commercial-appropriate media noise. Prospects for commercialization of our technology for long-lived active-archive applications are described.
Multilayer optical data storage is a promising approach for realizing high-capacity media with terabyte capacity for applications in enterprise archival data storage. We report on optical media containing 16 layers from a high-scalable multilayer polymer film co-extrusion process. Static and dynamic test data are presented as well as accelerated lifetime data, both indicating long shelf life. Other performance data such as threshold writing response, read stability presented. The data writing physics within the one-photon absorption spectrum is also presented. The impact of media lifetime, capacity roadmap and drive backward compatibility and on the economics of long-term archival storage is described.
Multilayer optical data storage is a promising approach for realizing archival optical discs with terabyte capacity for applications in enterprise data storage. We report on the fabrication of optical discs containing 16 layers from a high-scalable multilayer polymer film co-extrusion process.
Polymer co-extrusion is a well-established roll-to-roll manufacturing process with applications as diverse as food packaging and high performance optical filters. We have adapted this to produce films with alternating active and buffer layers. The film is easily fabricated into optical discs with the potential capacity of several terabytes.
Data is stored in voxels defined by photobleaching a fluorescent or reflective dye contained in writable layers of 200-300nm thickness separated by inert layers of 2-3 microns. We have shown that at short pulse durations of a pulse-modulated commercial 405nm laser, the nonlinear writing process within the absorption band of the dye exhibits a distinct threshold, thus promising low crosstalk and sub-diffraction limit bit patterns. Results on writing physics will be presented.
We have recently demonstrated that data can be written and read using a novel optical pick-up. The confocal optical configuration for reading suggests that the drive developed for our discs could be backward compatible with earlier commercial optical discs. Studies of photostability and defect density suggest the suitability of this technology for long-term, high-performance enterprise archival data storage.
Optical data storage has been widely used in certain consumer applications owing to its passive and robust nature, but has failed to keep with larger industry data storage needs due to the lack of capacity. Many alternatives have been proposed and developed, such as 3D data storage using two-photon absorption that require complex and dangerous laser systems to localize the bits. In this paper, we present a method for localizing bits using a CW 405nm laser diode, in a multilayered polymer film. Data is stored by photobleaching a fluorescent dye, and the response of the material is nonlinear, despite the CW laser and absorption in the visible region. This is achieved using sub-μs pulses from the laser initiating a photothermal effect. This writing method, along with the inexpensive roll-to-roll method for making the disc, will allow for terabyte-scale optical discs using conventional commercial optics and lasers.
Bistable reflective cholesteric displays are a liquid crystal display technology developed to fill a market need for very low power displays. Their unique look, high reflectivity, bistability, and simple structure make them an ideal flat panel display choice for handheld or other portable devices where small lightweight batteries with long lifetimes are important. Applications ranging from low resolution large signs to ultra high resolution electronic books can utilize cholesteric displays to not only benefit from the numerous features, but also create enabling features that other flat panel display technologies cannot. Flexible displays are the focus of attention of numerous research groups and corporations worldwide. Cholesteric displays have been demonstrated to be highly amenable to flexible substrates. This paper will review recent advances in flexible cholesteric displays including both phase separation and emulsification approaches to encapsulation. Both approaches provide unique benefits to various aspects of manufacturability, processes, flexibility, and conformability.
We developed a novel technology for the fabrication of reflective cholesteric liquid crystal displays coatable on a single
substrate using a layer-by-layer approach. Encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystals serving as an electro-optical layer and
transparent conducting polymer films serving as electrodes are coated and printed on a variety of unconventional
substrates, including ultra-thin plastic, paper, and textile materials to create conformable displays. The displays are
capable of offering excellent electro-optical properties of the bulk cholesteric liquid crystals, including full-color, IR
capability, bistability, low power, high brightness and contrast, combined with the ruggedness and pressure insensitivity
of the liquid crystal droplets embedded in a polymer matrix. Durability of encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystals and
single substrate approach allows for display flexing, folding, rolling and draping during image addressing without any
image distortion. Our single substrate approach with natural cell-gap control significantly simplifies the fabrication
process of the LCDs especially for large area displays. This paper will discuss the development, status, and merits of
this novel display technology.
This paper presents measurements of time-of-flight charge carrier mobility and thermal optical polarized microscopy on a new class of columnar liquid crystals (LC) self-organized into hexagonal columnar mesophase self-assembled form functionalized dendrons. We discuss the temperature and electric field-independent high hole mobility of 1-3.5×10-3 cm2/Vs. The anomalous temperature behavior of the mobility is consistent with polaron transport mechanisms. Studies of time-of-flight transients, which reveal evidence for dynamic defects with lifetimes in the range of 10-6 s, are presented as aspects of charge gneeration and recombination kinetics. We demonstrate the enhancement of electron transport in acene-based dendron LCs by dopign wtih TNF-based dendron molecules.
A comparative analysis of photoresponse characteristics of single component photoelectrodes of WO3 and TiO2 and bicomponent WO3/TiO2 photoelectrode was performed for front and back side illumination of the films sensitized by rhodamine B and 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthiacarbocyanine iodide. A considerable increase in the photocurrent was achieved for the bicomponent photoelectrodes in comparison with the single component photoelectrodes. Increased photocurrent was caused by a decreasing in the surface recombination of the photoinjected electrons due to an efficient removal of the electrons from the conduction band of the TiO2 nanocrystals into the bulk of the WO3 matrix-layer.
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