James E. Kuder

Prospects for the development and application of plastic optical fibers

In past years, plastic optical fibers (POF) have gained more and more interest because of features like low-cost, easy handling, and good flexibility even at large diameters. Therefore, these fibers are considered to be suitable for short-haul data transmission applications in computer links or in automobiles. However, the breakthrough of POF is prohibited by two major disadvantages, namely the relatively high loss of about 200 dB/km and the low heat resistance of 80 - 90 degree(s)C, which is not sufficient for the automotive area. In distributed networks even for short distance transmission, improvements in the optical loss are very essential.

Dynamic Laser Marking Experiments On An Organic Optical Storage Medium

Dynamic GaAlAs diode laser marking experiments on an optical data storage medium are reported. The medium comprises thin films of a proprietary organic recording layer that are spin coated onto both glass and plastic disk substrates. These amorphous films with high substrate incident reflectivities (R - 30%) are stable to both air and moisture. Writing experiments were performed in the substrate incident mode. Readable marks were made with 2 to 15mW of laser power at pulse widths down to 50 ns. The marks are pits with well-defined rims. The dependence of laser recording quality on both disk and marking parameters will be discussed.