Bump-forming media including thin intermediate reflective layer and methods for writing, reading, and erasing same

摘要

An optical data storage medium includes a triple layer recording structure (24) having an expansion layer (10), a retention layer (12) and a very thin reflective layer (28) interposed between the retention (12) and expansion (10) layers. The three layers are strongly bonded together so that the thermally and mechanically active expansion (10) and retention (12) layers can mechanically act upon each other through the intermediate reflective layer (28). The expansion (10) and retention (12) layers are dyed to selectively pass or absorb light of preselected wavelengths. The thin reflective layer (28) is adapted to partially pass and partially reflect light of preselected wavelengths.