SEMINAR REPORT BLU-RAY TECHNOLOGY

1. INTRODUCTION

Blu-ray is a new optical disc standard based on the use of a blue laser
rather than the red laser of today’s DVD players. The standard, developed
collaboratively by Hitachi, LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips,
Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Thomson, threatens to make current DVD
players obsolete. It is not clear whether new Blu-ray players might include
both kinds of lasers in order to be able to read current CD and DVD
formats.
The new standard, developed jointly in order to avoid competing standards,
is also being touted as the replacement for writable DVDs The blue laser
has a 405 nanometer (nm) wavelength that can focus more tightly than the
red lasers used for writable DVD and as a consequence, write much more
data in the same 12 centimeter space Like the rewritable DVD formats, Blu-
ray uses phase change technology to enable repeated writing to the disc.

Blu-ray’s storage capacity is enough to store a continuous backup copy

of most people’s hard drives on a single disc. The first products will have a
27 gigabyte (GB) single-sided capacity, 50 GB on dual-layer discs. Data
streams at 36 megabytes per second (Mbps), fast enough for high quality
video recording Single-sided Blu-ray discs can store up to 13 hours of
standard video data, compared to single-sided DVD’s 133 minutes. People
are referring to Blu-ray as the next generation DVD, although according to
Chris Buma, a spokesman from Philips (quoted in New Scientist) “Except
for the size of the disc, everything is different.”

Blu-ray discs will not play on current CD and DVD players, because
they lack the blue-violet laser required to read them. If the appropriate
lasers are included, Blu-ray players will be able to play the other two
formats. However, because it would be considerably more expensive, most
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manufacturers may not make their players backward compatible. Panasonic,

Philips, and Sony have demonstrated prototypes of the new systems.

2. EVOLUTION OF OPTICAL REMOVABLE MEDIA

STORAGE DEVICES

2.1 Optical Storage

Optical RMSD formats use a laser light source to read and/or write
digital data to a disc. Compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD,
originally referred to as digital video disc) are the two major optical
formats. CDs and DVDs have similar compositions consisting of a label, a
protective layer, a reflective layer (aluminum, silver, or gold), a digital-data
layer molded in polycarbonate, and a thick polycarbonate bottom layer.

Fig.2.l.1 Composition of optical disk

CD Formats include
 Compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM)
 Compact disc-recordable (CD-R)
 Compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW)
DVD formats include
 Digital versatile disc-read only memory (DVD-ROM)

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 Digital versatile disc-recordable (DVD-R)

 DVD-RAM (rewritable)
 Digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW)

2.1.1 CD-ROM

Data bits are permanently stored on a CD as a spiral track of

physically molded pits in the surface of a plastic data layer that is coated
with reflective aluminum. Smooth areas surrounding pits are called lands.
CDs are extremely durable because the optical pickup (laser light source,
lenses and optical elements, photoelectric sensors, and amplifiers) never
touches the disc. Because data is read through the thick bottom layer, most
scratches and dust on the d surface are out of focus, so they do not interfere
with the reading process.

With a 650-MB storage capacity (sometimes expressed as ‘74

minutes,’ referring to audio playing time encoded in the original CD
format), one CD-ROM disc can store the data from more than 450 floppy
disks. Data access speeds are reasonable, with random access rates ranging
from 80 to 120 ms for any data byte on the disc. Maximum data transfer
rates are approximately 6 MB/sec. These attributes make CD-ROMs
especially well suited for storing large multimedia presentations and
software programs.

CD-ROM drives are distinguished by different disc rotation speeds

measured relative to the speed of an audio CD player. A 1X CD-ROM
accesses data at approximately 150 KB/sec, the same as an audio player. A
32 X CD-ROM reads data thirty-two times faster at approximately 4,800

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KB/sec. In general, faster speeds reduce data access time, but vibration and
noise problems limit maximum speeds to approximately 48X.
2.1.2 CD-R.

CD-R drives advanced a write once/read many (WORM) storage

technology that appeared in the mid 1980s. CD-R drive production ended
when the cost to manufacture CD-RW drives became comparable. CD-R
discs accept multiple writing sessions to different sections of a disc.
However, CD-ROM drives must be multi-session compatible to read any
data recorded after the first writing session; all of today’s CD-ROM drives
meet this requirement.

CD-R discs use a photosensitive dye layer that can be changed (or
‘bounded’) with a laser to simulate the molded pits of a conventional CD.
The dye layer is relatively transparent until it is burned with a laser to make
it darker and less reflective. CD-R discs use a gold or silver reflective layer
behind the dye to produce reflectives similar to the aluminum layer used in
CDs.

When a CD-R disc is read, the lands reflect laser light off of the
gold or silver layer through the more transparent areas of the dye. The less
reflective areas, produced from recording data on the dye, read as pits.

Like CD-Rom discs, recordable discs have 650 MB ( or 74 minutes)

of storage capacity. The actual capacity of a 650-MB CD-R disc is about
550 MB when they are formatted for packet writing. Higher-capacity CD-
Rs that have become available recently include:
• 700 MB (80 minutes)
• 800 MB (90 minutes)
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• 880 MB (99 minutes)

The 700MB disc is the only higher-capacity option that is fully

compatible with the CD-R standard CD-R drives provide reasonable
average data access times typically less than 100 ms. CD-R discs are the
least expensive RMSD media available, but the CD-R systems are limited
as RMSD’s because they can only be written once.

2:1.3 CD-RW

CD-RW drives introduced in 1997, record data on both CD-R and

CD-RW discs. CD-R.W discs use a phase-change technology to record. In
place of the dye layer use din CD-R media, CD-RW discs have an alloy
layer composed of antimony, tellurium, and other metals that exists in either
of two stable states. This material forms a polycrystalline structure when
heated above 200 degree Celsius and cooled, but also forms an amorphous
or non-crystalline structure when heated above the melting point at 500 to
700 degrees Celsius and rapidly cooled. The alloy is changed between the
two states using two different laser power settings.

The crystalline state for this material reflects more light than the
non-crystalline form, so it simulates the lands of a regular CD. Data bits are
encoded by changing small target areas to the non-crystalline form. This
writing process can be repeated approximately 1,000 times per disc.

CD-RW drives write to both CD-R and CD-RW media, and permit
multiple writing sessions to different sections of a disc. CD-RW drives are
specified by CD-R write speed, CD-RW write speed, and CD-ROM
maximum read speed (for example, 8/4/32Xis 8X CD-R write/4X CD-RW
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write/32X CD-ROM maximum read). The fastest CD-RW drives now

provide 16/10/40X speeds for desktop systems. Transfer rates for reading
data are up to 6 MB/sec and approximately 2.4 MB/sec for writing data on
CD-R media.

Like the CD-R discs, the actual capacity of a 650-MB CD-RW disc
is about 550 MB when formatted for packet writing. CD-RW drives have
replaced the comparably priced CD-R drives, and are positioned to be a
good RMSD solution.

2.1.4 DVD

Like CD drives, DVD drives read data through the disc substrate,
reducing interferences from surface dust and scratches. However, DVD-
ROM technology provides seven times the storage capacity of CD discs,
and accomplishes most of this increase by advancing the technology used
for CD systems. The distance between recording tracks is less than half that
used for CDs. The pit size also is less than half that on CDs, which requires
a reduced laser wavelength to read the smaller-sized pits. These features
alone give DVD-ROM discs 4.5 times the storage capacity of CDs;

2.1.4.1 Single Layers and Dual Layers

DVD discs have a much greater data density than CD discs, and
DVD-ROM drives rotate the disc faster than CD drives. This combination
results in considerably higher throughput for DVD technology. A 1X DVD-
ROM drive has a data transfer rate of 1,250 KB/sec compared with a 150-
KB/sec data transfer rate for a 1X CD-ROM drive. Current DVD-Rom

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drives can read DVD discs at 16X (22 MB/sec) maximum speeds and can
read CDs at 48X (7.5 MB/sec) maximum speeds.

DVD-ROM discs provide a 4.7-GB storage capacity for single-

sided, single data-layer discs. Single-sided, double data-layer discs increase
the capacity to 8.5 GB. Double-sided, single data layer discs offer 9.4 GB,
and double-sided, double data-link layer discs provide 17 GB of storage
capacity. DVD-ROM drives also read CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, and
DVD-R discs. As new software programs push the storage limits for CD-
ROM discs.

21.4.2 DVD Storage Versions

2.1.4.2.1 DVD-R

DVD-R drives were introduced in 1997 to provide write-once

capability on DVD-R discs used or producing disc masters in software
development and for multimedia post-production. This technology,
sometimes referred to as DVD-R for authoring, is limited to niche
applications because drives and media are expensive.

DVD-R employ a photosensitive dye technology similar to CD-R

media. At 3.94 GB per side, the first DVD-R discs provided a little less
storage capacity than DVD-ROM discs. That capacity as now been
extended to the 4.7 GB capacity of DVD-ROM discs.

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The IX DVD-R data transfer rate is 1.3MB/sec. Most DVD-ROM

drives and DVD video players read DVD-R discs. Slightly modified DVD-
R drives and discs have recently become available for general use.

2.1.4.2.2 DVD-RAM

DVD-Ram (rewritable) drives were introduced in 1998. DVD-Ram

devices use a phase-change technology combined with some embossed
land/pit features. Employing a format termed ‘land groove,’ data is recorded
in the grooves formed on the disc and on the lands between the grooves.
The initial disc capacity was 2.6 GB per side, but a 4.7-GB-per-side version
is now available.

Each DVD-RAM disc is reported to handle more than 100,000

rewrites. DVD is specifically designed for PC data storage; DVD-RAM
discs use, a storage structure based on sectors, instead of the spiral groove
structure used for CD data storage. This sector storage is similar to the
storage structure used by hard drives. Sector storage results in faster random
data access speed.

Because of their high cost relative to CD-RW technology, current

consumer-oriented DVD RAM drives and media is not a popular choice for
PC applications. Slow adoption of DVD-Ram reading capability in DVD-
ROM drives has also limited DVD-RAM market acceptance.

2.1.4.2.3 DVD-RW

The DVD-RW drive format is similar to the DVD-R format, but

offers rewritability using a phase-change recording layer that is comparable
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to the, phase-change layer used for CD-RW. DVD-RW is intended for

consumer video (non-PC) use, but PC applications are also expected for this
technology. The first DVD-RW drives bases on this format, which also
record DVD-R discs, were introduced in early 2001.

2.2 DVD vs. CD

DVD has a more efficient error correction code (ECC). Fewer data
bits are required for error detection, thus freeing space for recorded data.
DVD discs can also store two layers of data on a side by using a second data
layer behind a semitransparent first data layer laser to switch between the
two data layers.

DVD drives can also store data on both sides of the disc.
Manufacturers deliver the two-sided structure by bonding two thinner
substrates together, providing the potential to double a DVD’s storage
capacity. Single-sided DVD disc have the two fused substrates, but only one
side contains data.

CD-RW and DVD-ROM combination

A combination CD-RW/DVD-R0M device, commonly called a
‘Combo’ drive, has been available since 1999. Combo drives need a high-
power laser for CD-R/CD-RW writing, and a different laser and decoding
electronics for reading DVDs. A Combo drive provides additional
functionality for PCs, and is especially valuable for space-constrained
portable systems.

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Comparison table
Floppy Compact disc Digital Video Blu-ray disc
disk (CD) Disc (DVD)
Capacity 1.44MB 650-880MB 4.7-20GB 23.3-50GB
Transfer Rate 0.06 MB/s 3.5 MB/s 22.6MB/s 36MB/s
Interface IDE IDE/SCSI-2 IDE/SCSI-2 IDE/SCSI-2

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3. BLU-RAY DISC KEY CHARACTERISTICS

3.1 Large recording capacity up to 27GB

By adopting a 405nm blue-violet semiconductor laser, with a

0.85NA field lens and a 0.1 mm. optical transmittance protection disc layer
structure, it can record up to 27GB video data on a single sided 12cm phase
change disc. It can record over 2 hours of digital high definition video and
more than 13 hours of standard TV broadcasting (VHS/standard definition
picture quality, 3.8Mbps)

3.2 High-speed data transfer rate 36Mbps

It is possible for the Blu-ray Disc to record digital high definition

broadcasts or high definition images from a digital video camera while
maintaining the original picture quality. In addition, by fully utilizing an
optical disc’s random accessing functions, it is possible to easily edit video
data captured on a video camera or play back pre-recorded video on the disc
while simultaneously recording images being broadcast on TV.

3.3 Easy to use disc cartridge

An easy to use optical disc cartridge protects the optical disc’s

recording and playback phase from dust and fingerprints.

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3.4 Main Specifications

Recording capacity 23.3GB/25GB/27GB

Laser wavelength 405 nm, (blue-violet laser)
Lens numerical aperture (NA) 0.85
Data transfer rate 36Mbps
Disc diameter 120mm
Disc thickness 1.2mm
Recording format Phase change recording
Tracking format Groove recording
Tracking pitch 0.32um
Shortest pit length 0.160/0.149/0.l38um
Recording phase density 16.8/18.0/1 9.5Gbit/inch2
Video recording format MPEG2 video
Audio recording format AC3, MPEG1, Layer2, etc.
Video and audio multiplexing format MPEG2 transport stream
Cartridge dimension Approximately 129 x 131 x 7mm

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4. BLUE LASER

A blue laser is a laser (pronounced LAY-zer) with a shorter

wavelength than the red laser used in today’s compact disc and laser printer
technologies and the ability to store and read two to four times the amount
of data. When available in the marketplace, personal computer users may be
able to buy a laser printer with a resolution up to 2400 pixels or dots per
inch at an affordable price. The same technology in CD and DVD players
will provide a dramatic breakthrough in storage capability without an
increase in device size.

A laser (an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission

of radiation”) is a coherent (meaning all one wavelength, unlike ordinary
light which shower on us in many wavelengths) and focused beam of
photons or particles of light. The photo are produced as the result of a
chemical reaction between special materials and then focused into a
concentrated beam in a tube containing reflective mirrors. In the blue laser
technology, the special material is gallium nitride. Even a small shortening
of wavelength of light can have a dramatic effect in the ability to store and
access data. A shorter wavelength allows a single item of data (0 or 1) to be
stored in a smaller space.

Red lasers used in today’s technologies have wavelengths of over

630 nanometers (or 630 billionths of a meter). The blue laser has a
wavelength of 505 nanometers.

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Shuji Nakamura, a Japanese researcher working in a small chemical

company, Nichia chemical Industries, built the first blue laser diode.
However, a number of companies have announced progress in the ability to
manufacture blue laser diodes and there are now prototypes of working
DVD writers and players. Recently, a standard called Blu-ray has been
developed for the manufacture of blue laser optical disc technology.

4.1 Blue —Violet Laser

SANYO has developed the world’s first blue-violet laser diode with
a new low-noise (stable) beam structure produced using ion implantation.
The stable beam structure boasts lower noise, and current consumption
achieving higher performance compared with conventional blue- violet laser
diodes. This structure makes SANYO’s blue-violet laser diode an optimum
light source for large-capacity optical disc systems like Blu ray disks.

Main Features

 SANYO’s original ion implantation technology has yielded the

world’s first blue- violet laser diode with a new stable beam
structure that generates a low-noise beam
 The stable beam structure produces a vastly improved stable laser
beam, which yields the low-noise, low-operating current
characteristics that are required in a light source for next-generation
large-capacity optical disc systems like advanced DVDs require
 The laser diode is easily mass produced because the stable beam
structure reduces the number of fabrication steps while the top and
bottom electrodes structure reduces chip size

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Development Background

Laser diodes are key components in the field of optical data

processing devices. SANYO’s aggressive efforts in this area led to the mass
production and sales of AlGaAs (aluminum-gallium-arsenide) infrared and
AlGaInP (aluminum-gallium-indium-phosphide) red laser diodes widely
used in measuring instruments and a variety of optical data processing
devices like CD and DVD optical disc systems.

In recent years, the field of optical disc systems has seen the
development of next- generation large-capacity optical disc systems like
advanced DVDs that can record more than two hours of digital high-
definition images. The blue-violet laser diode made of InGaN (indium
gallium-nitride) that is used as a light source for reading signals recorded on
the optical discs was the key to developing these systems. Naturally demand
for the laser diode is expected to rise sharply as more large-capacity optical
disc systems become available and become more widely used.

In order to realize a blue-violet laser diode SANYO has developed

original crystal and device fabrication technologies over the years. Now
these fundamental technologies have yielded the world’s first low-noise
beam, blue-violet laser diode with a new stable beam structure that lowered
noise and current consumption for higher performance. This development
can make large-capacity optical disc systems like advanced DVDs practical.

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Features of the new technology

 The new stable beam structure made by ion implantation significantly
improves laser beam stability and yields the low-noise, low-operating
current characteristics that the optical disc system requires.

 The laser diode is easily mass-produced because the newly developed

stable beam structure reduces the number of fabrication steps while the
top and bottom electrodes structure reduces chip size.

Other Features
 Fundamental traverse mode
The fundamental traverse mode generates a single stable beam
which means the beam can be focused into a tiny spot using a
simple optical system.
 Package
The package is compact at just 5.6 mm in diameter.
 Advanced DVDs as well as for Polarity
A positive (+) or negative (-) power supply can be selected
 Built-in photodiode for monitoring optical output
A photodiode is installed to monitor optical output
 Applications
The new laser diode is suitable for the next-generation large-
capacity optical disc systems like and many types of measuring
instruments.

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Terminology
 Blue-violet laser diode
This is the light source used to read signals (pits) on discs in next-
generation large-capacity optical disc systems. There is no way the
size of beams from the infrared and red laser diodes now used in CDs
and DVDs can be reduced to the size of a pit recorded on these, discs
in c optical systems. The shorter wavelength of the blue-violet laser
diode however allows the beam to be focused into a reduced spot,
and therefore is the key to next-generation large-capacity optical disc
systems.
 Stable beam structure
The newly developed stable beam structure was produced using ion
implantation. With mode c9ntrol ‘of the laser beam and current
confinement, the implanted layer significantly improves laser beam
stability and yields the low-noise, low-operating current
characteristics that an optical disc system requires
 Ion implantation
This technology uses a strong electric field to force ionized atoms
into a semiconductor. It is mainly used in Si LSI production for
doping impurities in semiconductors. The amount and depth of the
atoms implanted into the semiconductor can be precisely ‘controlled
with consistent reproducibility
 Fundamental traverse mode
This refers to a mode where distribution of light intensity in a laser
beam forms a single peak.

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5. ACCESSING THE DISC

5.1 Phase change recording

Fig.5. 1.1 Phase change recording mechanism

The basic concept in phase change memories starts with the use of a
material which can exist in two separate structural states in a stable fashion.
An energy barrier must be overcome before the structural state can be
changed, thereby providing the stability of the two structures. Energy can be
supplied to the material in various ways, including exposure to intense laser
beams and application of a current pulse. Laser exposure is used for
recording and erasing in the case of an optical memory. If the energy
applied exceeds a threshold value, the material will be excited to a high
mobility state, in which it becomes possible to rapidly rearrange bond
lengths and angles by slight movement of the individual atoms. In lone pair
materials divalently bonded this may simply be shifting of non-bonding or
weakly bonding lone pairs to make new connections. In a material such as
germanium compositions can be selected in which these minute changes in
bonding position of the atoms can cause profound changes in the physical
properties of the material, including its optical absorptivity and reflectivity.

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The importance of the composition lies in the selection of a material

composition which can form a crystalline structure without phase
segregation. Selection of an appropriate composition and inducing high
mobility state during laser exposure are the underlying principles in direct-
overwrite phase change erasable optical recording media. Our early work
established that materials in the Ge-Sb-Te ternary are capable of rapid
transition between the two states, and our later work in the investigation of
the relationship between the crystalline properties and the performance of
various materials applied as optical recording media clarifies the reasons for
the importance of the composition (7,8). Direct-overwrite is simply the
process of recording new information in a location which had been
previously recorded without first erasing the old information. Two major
material properties are required to provide this capability, First, the speed of
the transition must be very fast.

The structure of the current phase change erasable materials can

easily be transformed in either direction by pulses of 50 nanosecond
duration. Second, the energy delivered by the laser beam, at both the
amorphizing or crystallizing power levels must be equally absorbed by the
phase change material when it is in either structural state. The indexes of
refraction and the absorption coefficients of the phase change material in its
two structural states inherently provide this capability, and appropriate
design of the optical stack used to form the device provides the final tuning.
The large differences in optical constants between the two structures leads
to a major advantage of phase change optical disks in that the read contrast
is very high. The two structures, have very different reflectivities, an
attribute which leads to manufacturability with relaxed layer thickness
tolerances. Contrasted to the competing magneto-optical disks, which have
a small read contrast, and further, have a read signal which must be
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differentiated by a more complex evaluation of polarization, phase change

disks can be manufactured more economically.
The device structures used in products produced by our licensees are
sophisticated designs which apply principles we established for the protection
of the phase change alloy from atmospheric contamination and chemical
interaction with the protective layer itself with enhanced optical coupling and
careful handling of the thermal considerations involved in the interaction of
the memory alloy with the laser light. High yield consistent manufacturing is
of course a major consideration in the production of any product, and our
licensees have done an outstanding job of developing a well controlled process
with good yield. Use of materials which have the same composition in the
amorphous and crystalline phases also provides long life. Since no diffusion is
involved in the phase change process, no phase segregation occurs and life is
only limited by the integrity of the Substrate. A plastic such as polycarbonate
will begin to show degradation in its surface smoothness after 100,000 re-
writes, and will contribute to a background noise level which will limit cycle
life to about one million cycles. Disks made with advanced plastics or glass, or
those which use dielectric layers more effective in stabilizing the plastic
surface will have a much longer cycle life.
Once the substrate material has been formatted, the roll is placed in
a vacuum chamber and the layers of the phase change and encapsulation
materials are coated, again in a continuous process, The roll of coated media
is then laminated to a somewhat thicker polycarbonate film, which serves as
the Cover slip to provide for dust and scratch protection required in a
durable product. The final manufacturing step is simple stamping of the
individual formatted disks from the web. The great advantage of this
production technique is its low cost. Not only does the continuous process
red manufacturing costs, but the selection of disk diameter allows linear
control of the cost per disk.
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5.2 Groove Recording

The physical surface of the disc consists of lands and grooves. In
Blu-ray discs, data is written only onto the grooves. In phase change discs
the groove depth is designed to be /6n, where  is the pickup user
wavelength and n is the optical index of the substrate. This reduces cross
talk between the lands and the grooves, and allows conventional tracking
signal schemes to be used with narrow track pitches.

Fig.5.2. I groove recording

The figure above shows a typical Blu-ray structure. A Blu-ray disc

holds 23.3/ 27 GB per side. This high recording density was achieved
through the use of mark edge recording, along with the use of groove
recording, which is effective for use with narrow track pitches recording, in
which data is recorded only within the tracking grooves. There is a limit to
how much track pitch can be reduced as a means of increasing recording
density, as narrow track pitch tends to weaken the tracking servo signal and
increase crosstalk The solution is groove recording In phase change discs
the groove depth is designed to be la/6n, where is the pickup laser
wavelength and n is the optical, index of the substrate. This reduces
crosstalk between the lands and the grooves, and allows conventional
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tracking signal schemes to be used with narrow track pitches. The reduction
in crosstalk with the land and groove method is a result of the fact that the
reduction in reflected light due to interference with a neighboring track
when in crystalline state is approximately the same as decrease in
reflectivity when in amorphous state at a particular depth. That depth is
about lambda/6n, which is about 36 nm for a 405nm laser wavelength. Blu -
Ray uses this kind of land and groove recording, with a track pitch of 0.32
m.

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6. APPLICATIONS
6.1 Ultra Density Optical (UDO)

UDO is the next generation of 5.25” professional optical storage

technology. It is a convergent technology that delivers the performance of
5.25” MO, the longevity 12-inch WORM, and the cost effectiveness of
DVD. It utilizes violet laser and phase change media recording technology
to provide a quantum leap in data storage densities. First generation UDO
products will be 30GB capacity and are scheduled to ship in August 2003.
Future generations will increase capacity to 60GB and 120GB and will
provide full backward read compatibility. Both WORM and rewritable
media will be available and the cartridge’ will be physically identical to
5.25” MO to maintain library compatibility. Target markets include
archiving, document imaging, call centers, e-mail archiving, GIS, medical,
telecom, banking, insurance, legal and government.
UDO is the application of Blu-ray consumer recording technology
to the professional optical storage market. Blu-ray is the proposed successor
to DVD and uses phase change recording technology to provide the storage
capacity to record a’ full-length HDTV video. The use of violet lasers and
high NA optics dramatically increases data storage densities and
necessitates a new type of disk construction with a 0.1mm cover layer to
protect the data surface. As with existing MO technology, UDO uses non
contact recording to provide robust and reliable performance.

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6.2 Digital Video Recording

The Bin-ray Disc using ‘blue-violet laser achieves over 2-hour
digital high definition video recording on a 12cm diameter CD/DVD size
phase change optical disc.
The Blu-ray Disc enables the recording, rewriting and play back of
up to 27 gigabytes (GB) of data on a single sided single layer 12cm
CD/DVI) size disc using a 405nm blue-violet laser. By employing a short
wavelength blue violet laser, the Blu Disc successfully minimizes its beam
spot size by making’ the numerical aperture (NA) on a field lens that
converges the laser 0.85. In addition, by using a disc structure with a 0.1mm
optical transmittance protection layer, the Blu-ray Disc diminishes
aberration caused by disc tilt. This also allows for disc better readout and an
increased recording density. The Blu-ray Disc’s tracking pitch is reduced to
0.32um, almost half of that of a regular DVD, achieving up to 27 GB high-
density recording on a single sided disc.
Because the Blu-ray Disc utilizes global standard “MPEG-2
Transport. Stream” compression technology highly compatible with digital
broadcasting for video recording, a wide range of content can be rec9rded.
It is possible for the Blu-ray Disc to record digital high definition
broadcasting while maintaining high quality and other data simultaneously
with video data if they are received together. In addition, the adoption of a
unique ID written on a Blu-ray Disc realizes high quality copyright
protection functions.
The Blu-ray Disc is a technology platform that can store sound and
video while maintaining high quality and also access the stored content in
an easy-to-use way. This will be important in the coming broadband. era as
content distribution becomes increasingly diversified. The nine companies

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involved in, the announcement will respectively develop products that take
full advantage of Blu-ray Disc’s large capacity and high-speed data transfer
rate. They are also aiming to further enhance the appeal of the new format
through developing a larger capacity, such as over 30GB on a single sided
single layer disc and over 50GB on a single sided double layer disc.
Adoption of the Blu-ray Disc in a variety of applications including PC data
storage and high definition video software is being considered

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7. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

 Large capacity:- sided double layer for 50 (113 by using t

multilayer technology.
 High Speed Transfer Rate:-To realize higher recording
performance
 Media family:- ROM,R( Write Once)
 Application:- Adoption in a variety of applications including PC
data storage and high definition video software.

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8. CONCLUSION

8.1 The Blu-ray Impact

Blu-ray is expected to challenge DVD’s run as the fastest selling
consumer-electronics item in history. If that happens, the impact would be
too big for the major players to discount. For example, the number of films
sold on DVD more than doubled last year to over 37 million. In addition,
almost 2.4. million DVD players were bought in the past year. As Blu-ray is
not compatible with DVD, its success could upset the applecart of many
players. If the new format turns out to be much popular, the demand for
DVD players could come down drastically. Not withstanding the challenge
to DVD makers, the new format is seen as a big step in the quest for
systems offering higher data storage. It is expected to open up new
opportunities for broadcasting industry. Recording of high-definition
television video-an application in which more than 10GB of storage space is
filled up with just one hour of video-will get a major boost. Conversely, the
format could take advantage of the spread of high-definition television. As
Blu-ray Disc uses MPEG-2 Transport Stream compression technology,
recording for digital broadcasting would become easier Its adoption will
grow in the broadband era as it offers a technology platform to manage
stored content. But the real action will begin when the companies involved
develop products that take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc’s large capacity
and high-speed data transfer rate. As that happens, Blu-ray will move
beyond being a recording tool to a variety of applications. Adoption of Blu-
ray Disc in PC data storage is already being considered.

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8.2 Not Beaming As Yet

However, it will be many years before the Blue-ray finds such high-
demand applications. Blu-ray compatible systems arc likely to hi the market
only in 2003. The nine companies involved have just begun work on the
hardware. Licensing for technology to play the discs will start within the
next few months. Cost will also play a crucial role in the development of
commercial systems. A sample blue-laser diode currently costs .around
$1,000, making consumer products based on it unrealistic. I however, the
price of a blue-laser diode is expected to tumble once Nichia Corp—the
major source for blue lasers—begins commercial production. The biggest
question that is plaguing the industry is whether current DVD discs will be
compatible with the new machines. Wary of alienating DVD fins, the
companies are looking for ways to make the new products compatible with
DVDs.

8.3 A Uniform Picture

Buoyed by the expected price fall, many electronics companies’
began to work on blue-laser based development systems in the last few
months and Blu-ray is a direct outcome of these efforts. The similarity of
the work being done prompted the companies to look for a standard format
that would wipe out the differences between those made by individual
companies. The companies had learnt the need for a standard format the
hard way a la DVDs.

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8.4 The Jarring Image

However, it appears that not everyone has learnt from the DVD
episode. As Blu-ray moves towards commercialization, it could ignite a new
format battle Among the Blu-ray group are six of the 10 companies that
worked, on developing the DVD format. Four of DVD’s main backers-
Mitsubishi, AOL Time Warner, Victor of Japan and Toshiba Corp-- are
staying away from the Blu-ray consortium. Toshiba’s absence is the most
conspicuous. The company has publicly stated that it intends to propose its
prototype blue-laser optical-disc format. Consequently, its absence raises
the possibility that a format battle may be about to begin again. Lending
credence to this theory is the fact that the nine companies, which are also on
the steering committee of the DVD Forum, are conducting the Blu-ray work
outside of the Forum Much like the DVD story, the battle isn’t going to end
soon. But a compromise formula can be worked out Already, there is
evidence of concessions to get major players around a single format The
Blu-ray group’s announcement’ that discs are expected to be available in
three different sizes, is one such example. Some companies want to keep the
price of discs low by using cheaper materials that will be able to hold
slightly less data

8.5 Future Perfect

Despite the impending tug-of war, the industry is excited, about the
future prospects, of this technological innovation The industry is of the view
that Blu-may has the potential to replicate, if not better, the DVD success
story. The expected upswing in high-definition television adoption and
broadband implementation could act as the catalyst. Aware that the
recession in economies across the globe could come in the way of high-

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definition television broadband penetration, major players are exploring the

ways In make Blu-ray compatible with DVDs. Cost can dampen the sales in
the first year. Owing to th patent and the technology involved, Blu-ray is
likely to cost more than DVDs. But sooner than later, it will move towards
commodity pricing. Once that happens, Blu-ray holds the promise to steal a
march over its immediate predecessor.

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9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

World Wide Web

 www.whatis.com
 www.bluraytalk.com
 www.computerworld.com
 www.dvdeurope2002.com
 www.bluray.org

Documents
 A History Of the Phase Change Technology Stanford Ovshinsky,
president of Energy Conversion Devices
 Removable Media Storage Devices Tom Pratt and Chris
Steenbergen, Storage Technology

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ABSTRACT

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the name of a next-

generation optical disc video recording format jointly developed by nine
leading consumer electronics companies. The format was developed to enable
recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HDTV). Blu-ray
makes it possible to record over 2 hours of digital high-definition video
(HDTV) or more than 13 hours of standard-definition video (SDTV/VHS
picture quality) on a 27GB disc. There are also plans for higher capacity discs
that are expected to hold up to 50GB of data.

The Blu-ray Disc technology can store sound and video while
maintaining high quality and also access the stored content in an easy-to-use
way. Adoption of the Blu-ray Disc in a variety of applications including PC
data storage and high definition video software is being considered.
Key Characteristics of Blu-ray discs are :

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