Metal alloys for the reflective or the semi-reflective layer of an optical storage medium

• US 20050042406A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Target Technology Company LLC
• Inventors: Nee, Han H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,045,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/64.400
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 11/10584 characterised by the form, e.g. comprising mechanical protection elements
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 11/10586 characterised by the selection of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/24306 transition metal elements of groups 3-10
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/24308 transition metal elements of group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au)
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/2431 group 13 elements (B, Al, Ga, In)
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/24312 group 14 elements (e.g. Si, Ge, Sn)
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/24314 group 15 elements (e.g. Sb, Bi)
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/24316 group 16 elements (i.e. chalcogenides, Se, Te)
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/2432 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/00454 involving phase-change effects
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/00455 involving reflectivity, absorption or colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24038 Multiple laminated recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/243 comprising inorganic materials only, e.g. ablative layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/246 containing dyes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/257 of layers having properties involved in recording or reproduction, e.g. optical interference layers or sensitising layers or dielectric layers, which are protecting the recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/258 of reflective layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2585 based on aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/259 based on silver
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2595 based on gold
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/21 Circular sheet or circular blank

Abstract

Metal alloy thin films are provided for use in the highly reflective and semi-reflective layers of optical discs. Alloys include silver alloyed with gold, palladium, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. Other alloys include copper alloys with silver, magnesium, cadmium, aluminum, nickel, beryllium, zirconium and zinc. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Claims

1. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver and copper, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver and copper in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xCu_y where 0.90<

x<

0.9999 and 0.0001<

y<

0.10;

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

2. The optical storage medium of claim 1, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

3. The optical storage medium of claim 2, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

4. The optical storage medium of claim 1, wherein 0.001<

y<

0.05.

5. The optical storage medium of claim 1, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

6. The optical storage medium of claim 5, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

7. The optical storage medium of claim 5, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

8. The optical storage medium of claim 7, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

9. The optical storage medium of claim 5, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

10. The optical storage medium of claim 9, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

11. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver and palladium, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver and palladium in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xPd_w where 0.90<

x<

0.999 and 0.001<

w<

0.10;

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

12. The optical storage medium of claim 11, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

13. The optical storage medium of claim 12, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

14. The optical storage medium of claim 11, wherein 0.001<

w<

0.05.

15. The optical storage medium of claim 11, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

16. The optical storage medium of claim 15, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

17. The optical storage medium of claim 15, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

18. The optical storage medium of claim 17, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

19. The optical storage medium of claim 15, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

20. The optical storage medium of claim 19, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

21. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver, and platinum, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver and platinum in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xPt_z where 0.95<

x<

0.999 and 0.001<

z<

0.05;

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

22. The optical storage medium of claim 21, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

23. The optical storage medium of claim 22, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

24. The optical storage medium of claim 21, wherein 0.001<

z<

0.025.

25. The optical storage medium of claim 21, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

26. The optical storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

27. The optical storage medium of claim 25, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

28. The optical storage medium of claim 27, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

29. The optical storage medium of claim 25, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

30. The optical storage medium of claim 29, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

31. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver, copper, and platinum, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver, copper and platinum in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xCu_yPt_z where 0.85<

x<

0.9989;

0.0001<

y<

0.10; and

0.001<

z<

0.05.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

32. The optical storage medium of claim 31, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

33. The optical storage medium of claim 32, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

34. The optical storage medium of claim 31, wherein 0.0001<

y<

0.05.

35. The optical storage medium of claim 31, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

36. The optical storage medium of claim 35, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

37. The optical storage medium of claim 35, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

38. The optical storage medium of claim 37, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

39. The optical storage medium of claim 35, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

40. The optical storage medium of claim 39, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

41. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver, copper, and palladium, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver, copper and palladium in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xCu_yPd_w where 0.80<

x<

0.9989;

0.0001<

y<

0.10; and

0.001<

w<

0.10.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

42. The optical storage medium of claim 41, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

43. The optical storage medium of claim 42, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

44. The optical storage medium of claim 41, wherein 0.0001<

y<

0.05.

45. The optical storage medium of claim 41, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

46. The optical storage medium of claim 45, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

47. The optical storage medium of claim 45, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

48. The optical storage medium of claim 47, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

49. The optical storage medium of claim 45, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

50. The optical storage medium of claim 49, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

51. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver, copper and gold, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver, copper and gold in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xCu_yAu_v where 0.80<

x<

0.9989;

0.0001<

y<

0.10 and 0.001<

v<

0.10.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

52. The optical storage medium of claim 51, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

53. The optical storage medium of claim 52, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

54. The optical storage medium of claim 51, wherein 0.0001<

y<

0.05 and 0.001<

v<

0.05.

55. The optical storage medium of claim 51, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

56. The optical storage medium of claim 55, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

57. The optical storage medium of claim 55, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

58. The optical storage medium of claim 57, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

59. The optical storage medium of claim 55, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

60. The optical storage medium of claim 59, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

61. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including silver, copper, palladium and platinum, wherein the relationship between the amounts of silver, copper, palladium and platinum in the metal alloy is defined by Ag_xCu_yPt_zPd_w where 0.75<

x<

0.9979, 0.0001<

y<

0.10, 0.001<

z<

0.05, and 0.001<

w<

0.10.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

62. The optical storage medium of claim 61, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

63. The optical storage medium of claim 62, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

64. The optical storage medium of claim 61, wherein 0.0001<

y<

0.05, 0.001<

z<

0.03, 0.001<

w<

0.03.

65. The optical storage medium of claim 61, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

66. The optical storage medium of claim 65, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

67. The optical storage medium of claim 65, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

68. The optical storage medium of claim 67, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

69. The optical storage medium of claim 65, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

70. The optical storage medium of claim 69, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

71. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including copper and silver, wherein the relationship between the amounts of copper and silver in the metal alloy is defined by Cu_yAg_x where 0.95<

y<

0.9999, 0.0001<

x<

0.05.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

72. The optical storage medium of claim 71, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

73. The optical storage medium of claim 72, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

74. The optical storage medium of claim 71, wherein 0.001<

x<

0.05.

75. The optical storage medium of claim 71, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

76. The optical storage medium of claim 75, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

77. The optical storage medium of claim 75, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

78. The optical storage medium of claim 77, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

79. The optical storage medium of claim 75, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

80. The optical storage medium of claim 79, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

81. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including copper and magnesium, wherein the relationship between the amounts of copper and magnesium in the metal alloy is defined by Cu_yMg_q where 0.90<

y<

0.999, 0.001<

q<

0.10.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

82. The optical storage medium of claim 81, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

83. The optical storage medium of claim 82, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

84. The optical storage medium of claim 81, wherein 0.001<

q<

0.05.

85. The optical storage medium of claim 81, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

86. The optical storage medium of claim 85, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

87. The optical storage medium of claim 85, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

88. The optical storage medium of claim 87, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

89. The optical storage medium of claim 85, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

90. The optical storage medium of claim 89, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

91. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including copper and zinc wherein the relationship between the amounts of copper and zinc in the metal alloy is defined by Cu_yZn_m where 0.90<

y<

0.999, 0.001<

m<

0.10.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

92. The optical storage medium of claim 91, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

93. The optical storage medium of claim 92, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

94. The optical storage medium of claim 91, wherein 0.001<

m<

0.05.

95. The optical storage medium of claim 91, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

96. The optical storage medium of claim 95, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

97. The optical storage medium of claim 95, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

98. The optical storage medium of claim 97, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

99. The optical storage medium of claim 95, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

100. The optical storage medium of claim 99, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.

101. An optical storage medium, comprising:

a first layer having a first pattern of features in at least one major surface;

a semi-reflective layer, said semi-reflective layer including a metal alloy, said metal alloy including copper and zinc wherein the relationship between the amounts of copper and zinc in the metal alloy is defined by Cu_yAl_n where 0.80<

y<

0.999, 0.001<

n<

0.20.

a second layer having a second pattern of features in at least one major surface; and

a high reflective layer.

102. The optical storage medium of claim 101, further comprising an optically recordable dye layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer.

103. The optical storage medium of claim 102, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

104. The optical storage medium of claim 101, wherein 0.001<

n<

0.10.

105. The optical storage medium of claim 101, further comprising:

a third layer adjacent to said semi-reflective layer, said third layer including a dielectric material;

a fourth layer, said fourth layer including an optically re-recordable material; and

a fifth layer, said fifth layer including a dielectric material.

106. The optical storage medium of claim 105, wherein the first pattern of features includes a spiral groove.

107. The optical storage medium of claim 105, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a phase-changeable material.

108. The optical storage medium of claim 107, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a phase changeable material selected from the group consisting of Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

In—

Sb—

Te, Cr—

Ge—

Sb—

Te, As—

Te—

Ge, Te—

Ge—

Sn, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

O, Te—

Se, Sn—

Te—

Se, Te—

Ge—

Sn—

Au, Ge—

Sb—

Te, Sb—

Te—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl, In—

Sb, In—

Sb—

Se, In—

Se—

Tl—

Co, Bi—

Ge, Bi—

Ge—

Sb, Bi—

Ge—

Te, and Si—

Te—

Sn.

109. The optical storage medium of claim 105, wherein said optically re-recordable material is a magneto-optic material.

110. The optical storage medium of claim 109, wherein said optically re-recordable material further comprises a magneto-optic material selected from the group consisting of Tb—

Fe—

Co and Gd—

Tb—

Fe.