Amorphization induced by subnanosecond laser pulses in phase-change optical recording media.
We have investigated the dynamics of amorphization induced in phase-change optical recording media by focused laser pulses of subnanosecond duration. We initiated localized amorphism by using a focused laser beam to melt the phase-change material and completed the change by rapid cooling by means of thermal diffusion. These studies were conducted by use of real-time reflectivity measurements with a pump-and-probe technique in which both pump and probe pulses had a duration of approximately 510 ps. Our transient-reflectivity measurements indicate that the process that leads to amorphism has three distinct stages, namely, rapid melting, solidification, and slow relaxation.
Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. chubing.peng@seagate.com
Chubing
C
Peng
Masud
M
Mansuripur