Apparatus and Method for Optical Data Storage and Retrieval

Abstract

An optical storage device and method of operating that device are disclosed. The device includes an optical storage medium, and a light source capable of generating light that is transmitted to the medium. The light generated by the light source is at a first wavelength that is within the vacuum ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum and satisfies at least one of the following criteria: (i) the wavelength is within a 1.0 nm-wide window in the vacuum ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum at which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of Oxygen (O 2 ) occurs; and (ii) the absorption coefficient of Oxygen (O 2 ) at standard temperature and pressure that corresponds to the wavelength is less than 25 atm −1 cm −1 . In one embodiment, the light is at approximately 121.6 nm, and the light source is a gas discharge light source that produces light at the Hydrogen Lyman-α line.

1 . An apparatus for interfacing an optical storage medium, the apparatus comprising: 
 a light source that generates first light at a first wavelength corresponding to a Hydrogen or Deuterium Lyman-α line, wherein the first light is at least partly directed toward the optical storage medium; and    a light receiver that receives second light that is reflected by the optical storage medium in response to the first light encountering the optical storage medium,    wherein the second light includes at least a portion of the first light generated by the light source, and wherein the second light is indicative of information stored on the optical storage medium.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one optical component that receives the first light generated at the light source and transmits at least some of the first light to the optical storage medium.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one optical component is selected from the group consisting of a mirror, a beam splitter and a lens.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is rotated so that the first and successive portions of the storage medium are exposed to the light.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength is approximately 121.6 nm.