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Title: Method and apparatus for bistable optical information storage for erasable optical disks

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5635942

This patent describes a method of bistable storage of optical information. It comprises: providing a material capable of shifting between stable first antiferroelectric and second ferroelectric phases by applying at least one of electric energy and illumination energy thereto, applying an electrical field across a surface of the material so that the material shifts from the first phase to the second phase, illuminating parts of the material, thereby causing the illuminated parts to shift back to the first phase, removing the illumination and electrical field so that the illuminated parts remain in the first phase and the unilluminated parts remain in the second phase, and directing a read light beam onto the portion of the material and determining the first and second phase parts thereof.

Assignee:
Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Patent Number(s):
US 4965784; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-200095A
OSTI ID:
5635942
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 31 May 1988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English