C3D Touts 10-Layer Optical Storage Disks
techweb.com
(12/02/99, 9:33 a.m. ET)
By Craig Matsumoto, EE Times
Laying claim to a storage process that can put
10 gigabytes of information onto devices the
size of a credit card, start-up C3D is revealing
details of its multilayer optical technology and
is searching for OEM partners to help bring
products to market.
Officials of C3D, New York, gathered in San Jose,
Calif., on Tuesday to pitch their case,hoping to build
support for a technology that the company says can be
mass-manufactured today, but is still a long way from
productization.
C3D's method involves stacking multiple layers of disks
into one package. DVDs already do this with two layers,
but it's been impractical to attempt more layers, said
Eugene Levich CEO of C3D. This is because the laser
used for reading the disks will create too much
interference, causing "phantom" bits from other layers to
appear.
C3D uses a unique approach. Rather than bounce a laser
off the disk, as CD and DVD players do, C3D has the
laser hit pits of fluorescent material that reflect back at a
different wavelength. Because the wavelengths are
different, the reflected signal won't interfere with the
laser, and the bits of information can be read clearly.
The company first demonstrated its 10-layer disk in Tel
Aviv, Israel, in October, and research shows that
100-layer disks should be possible, company officials
said.
Company officials said the technology can be
manufactured inexpensively, using off-the-shelf
equipment and materials that need only slight
modifications.
But because the technology is unique and incompatible
with existing storage media, C3D is hoping to enlist
partners to help with the manufacturing and development
of the products. To that end, the company courted OEMs
in two technology demonstrations held in San Jose.
C3D, which is split into five subsidiaries spread around
the globe, has built prototypes of CD-sized disks that can
hold 140 Gbytes and smart cards capable of carrying 10
Gbytes. But the company is still experimenting with
variations on its technology. The method used to write to
the disks, for example, is up in the air -- two possibilities
have been demonstrated, and a third is awaiting patent
approval.
Even the nature of the disks is uncertain, as C3D has
developed both read-only and one-time-writeable
versions. The former would be stamped from a master
mold, much like audio CDs or vinyl LPs.
One-time-writable disks would permit recording by
activating the fluorescence in the dye deposited on the
disks.
A rewriteable version is also possible, said Ingolf Sander,
senior vice president of product development at C3D.
But the read-only version is C3D's strongest play, he
said, as the technology's size and speed makes it most
attractive as an archiving tool rather than as a substitute
for hard disk drives. |
