Polarization analyses of readout signals by a solid immersion lens in phase change recording material

Abstract

Comprehensive analyses based on the rigorous vector diffraction theory were used to simulate the polarized readout signals using a solid immersion lens (SIL) in reading phase change (PC) disks. For an x-polarized incident beam, the signal contrast in x and y polarization was a different function of air gap between the bottom surface of the SIL and recording medium. Compared with conventional nonpolarized detection schemes for PC media, the x-polarized contrast is a factor 1.0 to 1.35 higher at different air gaps, at a small cost of total intensity loss. (C) 2001 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.