1 Diffractive read-out of optical discs Joseph Braat Optics Research Group Faculty of Applied Sciences Delft University of Technology Lorentzweg 1 NL - 2627 CA Delft The Netherlands E-mail:
[email protected] P. Dirksen Philips Research Laboratories High Tech Campus 4 Professor Holstlaan 4 NL - 5656 AA Eindhoven The Netherlands E-mail:
[email protected] Augustus J.E.M. Janssen Philips Research Laboratories High Tech Campus 36 Professor Holstlaan 4 NL - 5656 AA Eindhoven The Netherlands E-mail:
[email protected] Summary. We present the optical principles of actual and projected systems for optical data storage like the CD (Compact Disc) , the DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and the blue light DVR system. After a short historic overview, the initial choices with respect to optical read- out method, light path and optical components are briefly reviewed. We next consider in more detail the radial tracking method applied in the DVD-system and the compatibility aspects between the DVD- and CD-system. Throughout this chapter we especially pay attention to the modelling of the signal read-out in an optical disc player and we will describe methods to efficiently calculate crucial parameters like signal jitter and cross-talk. 2 1 Introduction An extensive literature is available on optical data storage. Because of the multi- disciplinary character of optical storage, the subjects range from optics, mechanics, control theory, electronics, signal coding and cryptography to chemistry and solid- state physics. Several books [2]-[9] have appeared that are devoted to one or several of the subjects mentioned above.