I Where to Find In-Depth Resources on the Physics of CDs/DVDs?

  • I
  • Thread starter Thread starter shea
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Optics
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the search for in-depth resources regarding the physics of CDs and DVDs, particularly the mechanics of the pickup head and laser transmission through the disk. Participants highlight the inadequacy of basic explanations and suggest specific resources, such as Sorin's "The CD-ROM Drive" and the Red Book, which provide more detailed information. The inquiry emphasizes a desire for experimental design data and theoretical analysis, especially concerning laser diffraction patterns and optical paths. There is a consensus that while some foundational knowledge is accessible, more specialized resources are needed for deeper understanding. Overall, the thread underscores the importance of finding academic-quality literature on optical disk technology.
shea
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
TL;DR Summary
Looking for academic/industry-quality papers/resources on the physics of optical disks.
There are many rudimentary diagrams and 'pop'-explanations of the physics underlying the apparatus used to read optical disks. I am looking for more concrete resources - experimental design data or in-depth theoretical analysis of the pickup head.

Thanks!

Edit: Sorin's The CD-ROM Drive is fantastic.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Is what you need in the Red Book?
 
Shealen Fairchild said:
TL;DR Summary: Looking for academic/industry-quality papers/resources on the physics of optical disks.

There are many rudimentary diagrams and 'pop'-explanations of the physics underlying the apparatus used to read optical disks. I am looking for more concrete resources - experimental design data or in-depth theoretical analysis of the pickup head.

Thanks!
Note: Thread level changed from A-->I (graduate school level to undergraduate school level)

Can you show us what links you have been reading so far? This is pretty straightforward stuff from an EE/Physics perspective. Have you read the Wikipedia article for example, and followed some of its references?
 
berkeman said:
Note: Thread level changed from A-->I (graduate school level to undergraduate school level)

Can you show us what links you have been reading so far? This is pretty straightforward stuff from an EE/Physics perspective. Have you read the Wikipedia article for example, and followed some of its references?
The Wikipedia is lacking on properly-developed resources, although it does have one great reference; as edited into original post, Sorin's The CD-ROM Drive has the in-depth discussion I was looking for. Additionally, Vanadium alerted me to the Red Book, which I was not aware of - it is mentioned in Sorin, shown in the attached flow chart from pg.6.

1710803606416.png
 
  • Like
  • Care
Likes sophiecentaur and shea
Shealen Fairchild said:
The Wikipedia is lacking on properly-developed resources.
Can you say more about specifically what you are looking for? What part of the physics of the optical read mechanism are you having trouble finding?
 
berkeman said:
Can you say more about specifically what you are looking for? What part of the physics of the optical read mechanism are you having trouble finding?
I am not asking for an analysis of the physical servo mechanism, nor the encoding circuitry. Although I would be interested to hear about them, I am concerned with the isolated phenomena of laser transmission through the disk: the laser spot and its diffraction pattern, the precise optical path and lenses utilized, exact dimensions of pits and lands, detector intensity signal read-outs, (the mystical 3-beam?) error-correction, etc. Many of these topics are touched on in Chapter 2 of Sorin.

This is another great article with more depth than the wiki, although I would benefit from more detail about the pickup head. I particularly appreciate the attention to specific materials, and hence exact measurements of IOR, etc.
 
Shealen Fairchild said:
I am concerned with the isolated phenomena of laser transmission through the disk:
Through the disc?
 
berkeman said:
Through the disc?
So says the original patent! But you are gesturing correctly - as it is implemented in contemporary standards, the reflective mechanism is key in the larger process I am interested in.
 
  • #10
berkeman said:
@Vanadium 50 and I are often mixed up,
In addition, sometimes we are even confused with each other.

Although I haven't looked at the Red Book in a very long time (I think someone borrowed it decades ago) usually a standards document is a good starting point. Usually if it doesn't have what you need it can still point you in the right direction.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top