Digital Applications of Thermoplastic Recording

Abstract

Thermoplastic films' unique combination of thermal, electrical, and optical properties results in a versatile information storage medium which finds both digital and analog applications. As a digital storage medium, thermoplastic is best suited as a file memory where large capacity and rapid read access is a necessity. Reading and writing rates are completely independent. The fabrication of either sequential or random access devices using tapes or plates is possible. These couple high density capability with electron beam agility to provide large capacity storage and outstanding performance with regards to data transfer rates and read access. The recording medium consists of a substrate for mechanical carriage, a conductive film for heat developing, and the thermoplastic film. The recording process consists of writing line charges with a data-modulated electron beam and then developing with heat. The surface grooves which are formed can be read optically with a flying spot scanner. The position feedback Information inherent in the recorded data allows tracking along a single groove regardless of density.