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

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter shea
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Optics
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the search for in-depth resources regarding the physics of optical disks, specifically focusing on the mechanisms involved in reading CDs and DVDs. Participants express a desire for detailed experimental data and theoretical analysis, moving beyond basic explanations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks concrete resources on the physics of optical disks, particularly experimental design data and theoretical analysis of the pickup head.
  • Another participant suggests the Red Book as a potential resource for the needed information.
  • A participant notes that while Wikipedia has some references, it lacks properly-developed resources, although they mention Sorin's "The CD-ROM Drive" as a valuable source.
  • There is a request for clarification on what specific aspects of the optical read mechanism are difficult to find, with a focus on laser transmission, diffraction patterns, and error correction.
  • One participant expresses interest in the isolated phenomena of laser transmission through the disk, mentioning specific optical paths and measurements.
  • Another participant acknowledges the importance of the reflective mechanism in contemporary standards, despite the original patent suggesting otherwise.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange regarding the confusion between two participants, indicating a friendly rapport.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the best resources or the specific aspects of the physics they are interested in. Multiple viewpoints and requests for clarification remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the completeness of existing resources and the specific details they require, indicating limitations in the available literature on the topic.

shea
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
TL;DR
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:
Science news on Phys.org
Is what you need in the Red Book?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: shea
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   Reactions: 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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K