JPH10329423A - Phase change type optical recording medium and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a large decrease in recording characteristics even by repeating overwriting many times by reducing jitter at front and rear ends of a recording mark in the case of recording in a mark edge type in a phase change type optical recording medium. SOLUTION: A recording layer is constituted by a thin film containing composition including Ge, The, Sb, Au an N. The composition of the Ge, Te, Sb and Au in the film satisfies that x satisfies a formula (2), x satisfies a formula (3), xy satisfies a formula (4) and w satisfies a formula (5), simultaneously, where the Ge, Te, Sb and Au are represented by a formula (1). [(Gex Te(1-x) )y (Sbz Te(1-z) )(1-y) ](1-w) Auw ... (1), 0.45<=x<=0.55... (2), 0.35<=z<=0.45... (3), 0.1<=xy<=0.3... (4), 0<w<=0.1... (5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a kind of optical recording medium used as a rewritable large-capacity file, and performs optical recording by utilizing a phase change between a crystalline state and an amorphous state. The present invention relates to a phase change type optical recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, research and development of optical recording media have been actively conducted as means for recording, reproducing, and erasing a huge amount of information. In particular, a phase-change optical recording medium that performs recording and erasing of information by using a material that reversibly changes between two states, a crystalline state and an amorphous state, as a recording layer only requires changing the power of laser light. It is particularly promising because it has the advantage of being able to simultaneously record new information while erasing old information (hereinafter referred to as "overwriting").

As a recording layer material of a phase change type optical recording medium, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho.
An e-Sb alloy is disclosed. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 58787 discloses {(Sb _x Te _(1-x) ) _y Ge
_(1-y) ｝ _(1-z) M _z (x is 0.2 to 0.7, y is 0.4
~ 0.8, z is 0.01 ~ 0.5, M is Al, Si,
Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Z
n, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag,
Cd, In, Sn, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, G
d, Tb, Dy, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Tl, Pb,
(A metal selected from Bi).

On the other hand, in recent years, with the increase in the capacity of optical disks, the recording density has been increased by adopting mark edge recording instead of conventional mark position recording as a recording method.

In mark edge recording, a code string (information) is recorded by associating both ends of a recording mark with, for example, positions of "1" of a code string converted from recording information according to an encoding rule. Therefore, the recording mark is formed to have a length corresponding to the interval between the code strings “1” and “1”. On the other hand, in the mark position recording, a recording mark is formed at a position of, for example, “1” in the code string (the recording mark has the same length, and “1” is associated with the center of the recording mark). Information).

As described above, mark edge recording can increase the amount of information corresponding to one recording mark as compared with mark position recording, so that the recording density can be increased in principle.

[0007]

As described above, in the mark edge recording in which both ends of the recording mark correspond to the recording signal, it is necessary to strictly control the positions of the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. If the relationship between the crystallization speed and the linear velocity at the time of recording is not appropriate, it is difficult to strictly control both end positions of the recording mark.

That is, the portion of the recording layer where a recording mark is formed is rapidly cooled and melted by irradiation with a high-power laser beam to be amorphized, but the crystallization speed of the recording layer has a linear velocity at the time of recording. If it is too fast, the molten portion corresponding to the recording mark front end is likely to be recrystallized during cooling,
The front end position of the recording mark is not strictly controlled. Conversely, if the crystallization speed of the recording layer is excessively lower than the linear velocity at the time of recording, the erased portion after the recording mark (the portion where the recording mark was formed in the previous recording) is crystallized. Therefore, the rear end position of the recording mark is not strictly controlled.

Therefore, if the relationship between the crystallization speed of the recording layer and the linear velocity at the time of recording is not appropriate, the jitter (fluctuation in the time direction of the reproduced signal) in both the front end and the rear end of the recording mark is reduced at the same time. Can not do. The crystallization speed of the recording layer material described in the above publication was not appropriate in relation to the linear velocity (for example, 6 m / s) during general recording.

That is, the conventional phase-change type optical recording medium has room for improvement in recording characteristics when recording is performed by mark edge recording. It is also known that the recording layer of a phase-change type optical recording medium repeatedly undergoes amorphization and crystallization by overwriting a number of times, thereby causing flow, compositional segregation, etc., thereby deteriorating the rewriting characteristics. ing.

Here, in mark position recording, a relatively short recording mark is formed at the position of "1" with the same length, but in mark edge recording, a length corresponding to the interval between "1" and "1" is formed. Because a relatively long recording mark is recorded,
In the mark edge recording, the area of the recording layer which is changed to a state different from the previous state due to overwriting is larger than in the case of the mark position recording.

[0012] Therefore, mark edge recording tends to cause flow and composition segregation of the recording layer due to repetition of overwriting compared to mark position recording, and the jitter characteristic starts to deteriorate with a relatively small number of repetitions, and about 10,000 times of overwriting occurs. There is a problem in that the rewriting characteristics can be reduced even in writing.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and has improved recording characteristics in the case of recording by mark edge recording in a phase change type optical recording medium (before and after recording marks). It is an object of the present invention to reduce the jitter at the end) so that the recording characteristics are not significantly deteriorated even by overwriting many times.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a phase change between a crystalline state and an amorphous state is reversibly performed according to the intensity of irradiation light. In a phase change optical recording medium having a recording layer on a substrate, the recording layer is composed of a thin film containing Ge, Te, Sb, Au, and N, and Ge, Te, and Sb in the thin film.
The composition concerning Au and Au is such that when Ge, Te, Sb and Au are represented by the following equation (1), x, y, z and w simultaneously satisfy the following equations (2) to (5). A phase-change optical recording medium is provided. _{[(Ge x Te (1-x} )) y (Sb z Te (1-z)) (1-y) ] _{(1-w) Au w ‥‥} (1) 0.45 ≦ x ≦ 0.55 ‥ {(2) 0.35 ≦ z ≦ 0.45} (3) 0.1 ≦ xy ≦ 0.3 {(4) 0 <w ≦ 0.1} (5) where Ge−Te -Sb alloy is a compound GeT
e and Sb ₂ Te ₃ .
Compound line _{(GeTe) - (Sb 2 Te} 3) on the compound ((1) compounds corresponding to x = 0.50 and z = 0.40 in formula) are known as the crystallization speed is fast. Therefore, x and z are the compound lines (GeTe)
Numerical values for specifying a band-shaped composition region centered on-(Sb ₂ Te ₃ ) are shown.

When x is less than 0.45 or more than 0.55, the crystallization speed of the recording layer is too slow in relation to the linear velocity at the time of recording, and the position of the trailing edge of the recording mark is strictly determined. Control becomes difficult. That is, when x satisfies the above expression (2), the crystallization speed of the recording layer becomes the linear velocity (1 to 12) at the time of recording.
m / s), and the position of the trailing edge of the recording mark can be strictly controlled. A more preferable range of x is 0.48 ≦ x ≦ 0.52.

Also, if z is less than 0.35 or 0.45
When the value exceeds, the crystallization speed of the recording layer is too slow in relation to the linear velocity at the time of recording, and it becomes difficult to strictly control the position of the rear end of the recording mark. That is, when z satisfies the above equation (3), the crystallization speed of the recording layer becomes the linear velocity (1) at the time of recording.
１２12 m / s), and strict control of the position of the rear end of the recording mark becomes possible. A more preferable range of z is 0.38 ≦ z ≦ 0.42.

If xy, which indicates the atomic ratio of Ge to Ge-Te-Sb, is less than 0.1, the recording layer is likely to be crystallized, and becomes amorphous even when irradiated with low-power light close to the reproduction level. Because crystallization of the part (recording mark) occurs,
Data stability under reproduction and high temperature environment is reduced. If xy exceeds 0.3, the melting point of the recording layer becomes too high and the recording layer becomes difficult to be amorphized, and it is necessary to irradiate light with very high power during recording. Laser recording becomes difficult. Therefore, Ge of Ge
Xy indicating the ratio of the number of atoms in -Te-Sb is set to satisfy the above expression (4). A more preferred range of xy is 0.15
≤ xy ≤ 0.25.

On the other hand, the thin film constituting the recording layer has a composition containing Au in a range satisfying the above formula (5).
, The flow of the recording layer and the degree of composition segregation due to multiple overwriting can be suppressed to a low level. However, if Au is added excessively, the crystallization speed becomes slow and the erasing characteristics are deteriorated. Therefore, the value of w indicating the atomic ratio of Au to Ge-Te-Sb is set to 0.1 or less. More preferably, w is 0.05 or less.

The recording layer is made of Ge, Te, Sb, and Au.
And a thin film having a composition including N in addition to N. Since the crystal grains of the recording layer are refined by the presence of nitrogen, the growth of crystal grains at both ends of the recording mark is prevented beforehand, especially when the crystallization speed is excessively higher than the linear speed at the time of recording. Even if there is, the fluctuation of the front end position of the recording mark can be suppressed low.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a phase-change optical recording apparatus having a recording layer on a substrate, wherein a recording layer in which a phase change between a crystalline state and an amorphous state is reversibly performed according to the intensity of irradiation light. In the method for manufacturing a medium, Ge and Te represented by the following formula (1) are used.
, Sb and Au, and x, y, z and w are the following (2) to
(5) supplied from the target so as to satisfy equation simultaneously, _{[(Ge x Te (1-x} )) y (Sb z Te (1-z)) (1-y) ] _(1-w) Au w ‥ {(1) 0.45 ≦ x ≦ 0.55} (2) 0.35 ≦ z ≦ 0.45 (3) 0.1 ≦ xy ≦ 0.3 (4) 0 <w ≦ 0.1 ‥‥ (5) Ge, Te, S by performing sputtering in an atmosphere containing nitrogen at a partial pressure of 0.01 to 0.05 Pa.
Provided is a method for manufacturing a phase-change optical recording medium, wherein a thin film having a composition containing b, Au, and N is formed as a recording layer.

When the partial pressure of nitrogen in the sputtering atmosphere is 0.
If the pressure is less than 01 Pa, the effect of crystal grain refinement by adding nitrogen is not substantially obtained, and if the pressure exceeds 0.05 Pa, recording / erasing of the optical properties (refractive index, etc.) and crystallization speed of the recording layer may be difficult. Changes occur in the basic characteristics involved.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to examples. [Example 1] It was made of polycarbonate, had a disk shape of 3.5 inches in diameter and 0.6 mm in thickness, and had a distance between grooves of 1.4.
On a substrate 1 provided with a laser guide groove having a groove width of 0.7 μm and a target of ZnS—SiO ₂ (containing 30 mol% of SiO ₂ ), a film thickness of 250 μm was formed by RF sputtering.
The first protective layer 2 of nm was formed.

Next, as shown in the above equation (1), GeTeS
A target made of a bAu alloy (composition is represented by Ge:
Te: Sb: Au = 16.1: 57.1: 24.3:
2.5), the recording layer 3 having a thickness of 25 nm was formed by a DC sputtering method using a mixed gas of argon and nitrogen.
Was formed. At this time, the sputtering atmosphere was set to a total pressure of 0.5 Pa and a nitrogen partial pressure of 0.015 Pa. The composition (x, y, z, w, xy) of the obtained recording layer 3 is shown in Table 1 below.
Shown in All of x, z, xy, and w of the recording layer 3 satisfy the scope of the present invention.

On this recording layer 3, ZnS-SiO
_{A second} protective layer 4 having a thickness of 12 nm from a target of ₂ (containing 30 mol% of SiO ₂ ) by RF sputtering.
And a reflective layer 5 made of AlTi having a thickness of 70 nm was sequentially formed by DC sputtering. Thereafter, a UV curable resin is applied on the reflective layer 5 by a spin coating method,
The protective coat layer 6 was formed by curing.

Thus, a phase-change optical disk (phase-change optical recording medium) having the layer structure shown in FIG. 1 was produced. This optical disk was applied to a recording device having a laser wavelength of 642 nm and NA = 0.6, and a disk rotation linear velocity of 6 m / s was used.
Information encoded by 16 modulation methods was recorded. Recording was performed by a mark edge method with a recording density of 0.41 μm / bit. In this recording method, the shortest mark (and space) length is 0.615 μm, and the next short mark (and space) length is 0.82 μm. That is,
The mark (and space) length changes in units of 0.205 μm, and the longest mark (and space) length becomes 2.87 μm.

The jitter of the optical disk after overwriting once to 100,000 times was measured for the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. The results are shown in Table 1 below. Example 2 In forming the recording layer 3, different compositions (Ge: Te: Sb: Au = 16.6: 57.1: 2 in atomic ratio)
4.6: 1.7) except that a target made of a GeTeSbAu alloy was used in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a phase change optical disk. The composition (x, y, z, w, xy) of the obtained recording layer 3 is shown in Table 1 below. All of x, z, xy, and w of the recording layer 3 satisfy the scope of the present invention.

This optical disk was overwritten under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the jitter after overwriting once to 100,000 times was measured for the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. The results are shown in Table 1 below. Example 3 In forming the recording layer 3, different compositions (Ge: Te: Sb: Au = 19.6: 56.3: 2 in atomic ratio)
2.4: 1.7) in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a target made of a GeTeSbAu alloy was used. The composition (x, y, z, w, xy) of the obtained recording layer 3 is shown in Table 1 below. All of x, z, xy, and w of the recording layer 3 satisfy the scope of the present invention.

The optical disk was overwritten under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the jitter after overwriting once to 100,000 times was measured for the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. The results are shown in Table 1 below. [Comparative Example 1] A GeTeSb alloy containing no Au (w = 0) when forming the recording layer 3 (composition is represented by an atomic ratio of G
e: Te: Sb = 17.9: 56.1: 25.9), except that a target composed of (e: Te: Sb = 17.9: 56.1: 25.9) was used. Table 1 below shows x, y, z, and xy of the obtained recording layer 3. All of x, z, and xy of the recording layer 3 satisfy the scope of the present invention.

This optical disk was overwritten under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the jitter after overwriting once to 100,000 times was measured for the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. The results are shown in Table 1 below. [Comparative Example 2] When forming the recording layer 3, different compositions (Ge: Te: Sb: Au = 14.7: 58.1: 2 in atomic ratio)
3.7: 3.5), and a phase change was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that sputtering was performed using only a argon gas without adding nitrogen, and using a GeTeSbAu alloy target. A type optical disk was produced. The composition (x, y, z, w, x) of the obtained recording layer 3
y) is shown in Table 1 below. X, z, x of this recording layer 3
Both y and w satisfy the scope of the present invention.

The optical disk was overwritten under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the jitter after overwriting once to 100,000 times was measured for the front end and the rear end of the recording mark. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0031]

[Table 1]

As can be seen from this table, in each case, the jitter value of the rear end of the recording mark is higher than that of the front end of the recording mark.
In Examples 1 to 3 including both Au and N in the recording layer,
When the number of overwrites is 10,000 or less, the jitter value at the rear end is 10% or less, and even at 100,000 times, the jitter value is 15% or less, and good recording characteristics were obtained.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 in which the recording layer contains N but does not contain Au, the jitter value at 10,000 times or less is equivalent to that of Examples 1 to 3, but the jitter value at 100,000 times is later. The end jitter value exceeds 15%. That is,
It can be seen that by including Au in the recording layer, deterioration of the recording layer due to repeated overwriting can be reduced.

In Comparative Example 2 in which the recording layer contains Au but does not contain N, the jitter value in the first overwrite is very large at both the front end and the rear end of 12% or more, and the recording layer contains N. It can be seen that the jitter value can be suppressed to a small value.

[0035]

As described above, according to the phase change type optical recording medium of the first aspect and the phase change type optical recording medium obtained by the method of the second aspect, the recording characteristics when recording is performed by the mark edge method. In addition to the above, there is an effect that the recording characteristics are not significantly reduced even by repeating overwriting many times.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a layer configuration of a phase-change optical recording medium manufactured in an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Substrate 2 1st protective layer 3 recording layer 4 2nd protective layer 5 reflective layer 6 protective coat layer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A phase change type optical recording medium comprising a recording layer on a substrate, wherein a recording layer in which a phase change between a crystalline state and an amorphous state is reversibly performed according to the intensity of irradiation light is provided. Is composed of a thin film having a composition containing Ge, Te, Sb, Au, and N. The composition of Ge, Te, Sb, and Au in the thin film is such that Ge, Te, Sb, and Au are represented by the following (1) ), Wherein x, y, z, and w simultaneously satisfy the following expressions (2) to (5). _{[(Ge x Te (1-x} )) y (Sb z Te (1-z)) (1-y) ] _{(1-w) Au w ‥‥} (1) 0.45 ≦ x ≦ 0.55 ‥ {(2) 0.35 ≦ z ≦ 0.45} (3) 0.1 ≦ xy ≦ 0.3 {(4) 0 <w ≦ 0.1} (5) 2. A method for manufacturing a phase-change optical recording medium comprising a recording layer on a substrate, wherein a recording layer in which a phase change between a crystalline state and an amorphous state is reversibly performed according to the intensity of irradiation light is provided. Ge, Te, Sb, and Au represented by the following equation (1) are supplied from the target such that x, y, z, and w simultaneously satisfy the following equations (2) to (5): [(Ge _{x Te (1-x))} y (Sb z Te (1-z)) (1-y) ] _{(1-w) Au w ‥‥} (1) 0.45 ≦ x ≦ 0.55 ‥‥ (2 0.35 ≦ z ≦ 0.45 (3) 0.1 ≦ xy ≦ 0.3 (4) 0 <w ≦ 0.1 (5) Nitrogen partial pressure 0.01 to 0 Ge, Te, S by performing sputtering in an atmosphere containing 0.05 Pa
A method for producing a phase-change optical recording medium, comprising forming a thin film having a composition containing b, Au, and N as a recording layer.