Patent ID: 6064615
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: G11B,G11C

Abstract:
An optical memory element (ME) wherein data are written and read by means of light incident to the memory element,the memory element (ME) comprising an integrated unit created by a wholly or partly transparent body, that the body comprises a light-focusing part and at least one light-sensitive layer provided integrated with said light-focusing part, that at least one portion of a surface of the memory element (ME) is parallel to or approximately coincident with an imaging surface for the incident light which is focused through the light-focusing part, said light-sensitive layer being provided in said at least one portion of said surface and conformal therewith, and that said light-sensitive layer comprises a material whose optical properties can be changed by the influence of the incident light, said light-focusing part in its external form or volumetric refractive index distribution being arranged to focus the incident light at said light-sensitive layer.