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A Ge67Cu33 (16 nm) layer and a Ge (3 nm)/Ge67Cu33 (16 nm) bilayer were grown by sputtering at room temperature and used as the recording films for write-once blue laser media. In comparison to the crystallization temperature of Ge in a GeCu film (380.7 °C-405.1 °C), the crystallization temperature of Ge in a Ge/GeCu bilayer could be further decreased to 333.7 °C-382.8 °C. The activation energies of Ge crystallization were 3.51 eV ±0.05 eV and 1.50 eV ± 0.04 eV for the GeCu and the Ge/GeCu films, respectively, indicating that the Ge/GeCu bilayer possesses a higher feasibility in high-speed optical recording applications. Moreover, the lower activation energy would lead to a larger grain size of Ge crystallization in the Ge/GeCu bilayer after the annealing process. Between the as-deposited and the annealed states, the optical contrasts (@ 405 nm) of the GeCu and the Ge/GeCu films were 26.0% and 47.5%, respectively. This reveals that the Ge/GeCu bilayer is more suitable for the recording film of a write-once blu-ray disc (BD-R) in comparison with the GeCu film. Based on the dynamic tests performed for 2× and 4⨰ recording speeds, the optimum jitter values of the BD-R with the Ge/GeCu recording film were 7.4% at 6.3 mW and 7.6% at 8.6 mW, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Blu-ray Disc Association recently finished a new format extension called Ultra H D Blu-ray. The new format supports next-generation video technologies and several optional enhancements. This paper provides an in-depth description of the video technohgies offered by Ultra H D Blu-ray and an overview of new optional features. The Ultra HD Blu-ray format allows improvemem to the video representation by increasing the pixel code value quantization to 10 bits, enabling representation of high dynamic range imagery using SMPTEST 2084 electrooptical transfer function, enabling representation of wide color gamut imagery using International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) BT.2020 color primaries, increasing spatial resolution to 3840 x 2160, and allowing increased frame rates up to 60p. Carriage of mastering display color volume metadata described by SMPTEST 2086 and new content metadata parameters called maximum content light level (MaxCLL) and maximum frame average light level (MaxFALL) are also enabled by the new format. Additionally, the Ultra HD Blu-ray format improves compression efficiency by using the new HEVC/H.265 video compression standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured gold substrates provide chemically stable, signal-enhancing substrates for the sensitive detection of a variety of compounds through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Recent developments in advanced fabrication methods have enabled the manufacture of SERS substrates with repeatable surface nanostructures that provide reproducible quantitative analysis, historically a weakness of the SERS technique. Here, we describe the novel use of gold-sputtered Blu-ray disc surfaces as SERS substrates. The unique surface features and composition of the Blu-ray disc recording surface lead to the formation of gold nano-islands and nanogaps following simple gold sputtering, without any background peaks from the substrate. The SERS performance of this substrate is strong and reproducible with an enhancement factor (EF) of 10 for melamine. A limit of detection (LOD) for this compound of 70 ppb and average reproducibility of ±12 % were achieved. Gold-sputtered Blu-ray discs thus offer an excellent alternative to more exotic gold SERS substrates prepared by advanced, time-consuming and expensive methods. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical archive systems are subjected to many different types of vibration, primarily excited in the transport of Blu-ray discs. Archive systems comprise several components, so identifying the dynamic characteristics is complicated. In this paper, transient finite element analysis verified with experimental data, was carried out to improve the performance of anti-vibration systems. Based on the numerical model, system parameters were modified using a design of experiments method that considered the transport velocity and time. The performance of the archival system and velocity profile improved by 24.43 % with similar vibration levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present our H.264 Blu-ray watermarking framework which operates at bit stream level and preserves the length of the underlying bit stream. Apart from a description of our watermark embedding and detection (and synchronisation) approaches, we discuss the embedding capacity for different exemplary Blu-ray disks based on their bit stream characteristics as well as the robustness of our watermark to H.264 transcoding and resizing. Furthermore, we assess the parallelizability of our embedding approach and the impact of different hard drive configurations on the overall embedding speed, showing that low access times are as relevant as high transfer rates when maximum speedup through parallelization is desired. Lastly, this paper provides a discussion on a variety of design choices and practical issues which arise when designing an industry-level watermarking framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015 the British Film Institute released the most celebrated Danish films of Carl Theodor Dreyer's career on Blu-ray discs. This short subject assesses the quality of both the technical presentation of the films and the heterogeneous supplemental material included in the collection. It also draws readers' attention to other Dreyer films available for home viewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Ge/NiGe (3 nm/16 nm) bilayer was deposited by sputtering at room temperature to serve as the recording film for write-once blu-ray disc. The thermal properties, optical characteristics, crystallization mechanisms and recording performance were all investigated in detail. The composition of the NiGe alloy layer was maintained at Ni 50 Ge 50 . Based on the results of reflectivity-temperature measurements, it can be observed that the Ge/NiGe bilayer had two temperature ranges of reflectivity increment, i.e. 170–216 °C and 340–352 °C. Microstructural analysis revealed that the NiGe nano-crystalline phase was generated in the as-deposited state. After annealing at 250 °C, the crystallinity of the NiGe phase was improved. Upon further increasing the annealing temperature to 370 °C, the Ge crystallization appeared in this bilayer. Dynamic tests indicate that the blu-ray disc fabricated with the Ge/NiGe recording layer possesses optimum jitter values of 6.4% and 7.1% at 1× and 4× writing speeds, respectively. This implies that the Ge/NiGe bilayer has high potential for write-once blue laser recording applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to evaluate the impact of UV-light irradiation on the chemical structure and functional properties of organic coatings used to protect the surface and the stored data of Blu-ray Discs. In order to provide a methodology that can make a direct relation between the modification of the chemical structure and the functional properties, a cross-linked aromatic polyester resin with a well-known chemical structure was first studied in photolysis and photooxidation conditions. Characterization of the aging of this material by spectroscopic, calorimetric and thermo-mechanical analyses highlighted chemical and molecular changes linked to the well-known photo-reactivity of the ester functional group (Norrish types I and II reactions, photooxidation, etc.). The photochemical behavior of a real acrylic-based Blu-ray Disc coating was then investigated in the same conditions. Focusing on the influence of photo-aging on the functional properties of the coating, this work showed that on the one hand, the optical and mechanical changes had dramatic effects on the reading of the Blu-ray Disc, but on the other hand, a positive impact of aging was revealed with a significant decrease in the permeability of the coating due to post-cure reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first implementation of a Blu-ray optical pickup unit (OPU) for the high-performance low-cost readout of a homogeneous assay in a multichamber microfluidic disc with a chamber thickness of 600 μm. The assay relies on optical measurements of the dynamics of magnetic nanobeads in an oscillating magnetic field applied along the light propagation direction. The laser light provided by the OPU is transmitted through the sample chamber and reflected back onto the photo detector array of the OPU via a mirror. Spectra of the 2nd harmonic photo detector signal vs. the frequency of the applied magnetic field show a characteristic peak due to freely rotating magnetic nanobeads. Beads bound to ~1 μm coils of DNA formed off-chip by padlock probe recognition and rolling circle amplification show a different dynamics and the intensity of the characteristic peak decreases. We have determined the optimum magnetic bead concentration to 0.1 mg/mL and have measured the response vs. concentration of DNA coils formed from Escherichia Coli . We have found a limit of detection of 10 pM and a dynamic range of about two orders of magnitude, which is comparable to the performance obtained using costly and bulky laboratory equipment. The presented device leverages on the advanced but low-cost technology of Blu-ray OPUs to provide a low-cost and high-performance magnetic bead-based readout of homogeneous bioassays. The device is highly flexible and we have demonstrated its use on microfluidic chambers in a disc with a thickness compatible with current optical media mass-production facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical media (such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Disc) are probably among the most commonly used media for the preservation of digital records over time, especially in the case of digital archives whose producers are individuals, families or small to medium sized organizations. These media are fragile and it is important to know precisely how to manage them and which precautions should be taken in order to get reasonable assurance on their ability to preserve documents. This article aims to clarify what are the critical issues of optical media, how to take care of them and what are the strategies to be put in place to prevent the loss of documents that are stored on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid advancement of the global optical disc industry results from systematic changes during the product life cycles of digital audio-visual technology. Compact discs (CD) and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) sales reached record highs in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and the markets continue to shrink as CDs, DVDs, and related consumer electronic products have entered the mature stage of development following the entry of Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) products. This research explores the history, evolution, and systematic innovation driven by consumer demands for these products. The research provides a life cycle analysis of technology and market trends for the optical disc industry. Logistic curves are used to model the patent statistics and market values of DVD and BD technologies to document data trends from the mid- 1990s till now. The results show that BD technology patent filings rapidly reached the decline point two years after DVD technology matured. The results also show that systematic innovation of optical disc technology is consumer demand driven with BD technology forecasted to replace DVDs in a very short period of time. Technology and market growth curves are used to model the entry times of DVDs and BDs into the mature stage of the product life cycle. The patent based forecasts indicate that new DVD entrants should be cautious since there will be decreasing economic benefits as the new BD technologies gain popularity and market share. The most valuable contribution of this research is the use of the quantitative logistic analytic techniques for technology forecasting incorporating both patent and marketing data. The methodology enables the integrated analysis of technology and marketing intelligence and can be applied to other industry domains and assist the allocation of research funding in their systematic innovation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines what determines the success of a standard coalition. We test empirically for network effect, experience effect, and industrial and geographical relatedness in the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD standard war. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We report on the recording characteristics of a near-field optical recording thin optical disk (NFR-TOD). We proposed a new cooling-less-type write strategy for recording, applied it to the NFR-TOD experimental system, and also applied a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) signal processing, which was evaluated and optimized the PR coefficient for playback signals of the prototype NFR-TOD. The NFR-TOD has a track pitch of 160 nm and improved recording characteristics. The experimental results of the prototype NFR-TOD and the system indicate sufficiently low bit error rates (bERs) for recorded data at a fourfold higher recording density than the current Blu-ray disk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the in-line differential push-pull signal simulation for the Blu-ray disk system using the scalar diffraction theory. A simple calculation scheme was proposed. With the simulation flow, six different types of in-line gratings were analyzed, compared, and discussed. The simulation results show that the pattern with three segmented central regions has the best signal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In modern walkthrough applications, storing massive datasets has become easy and inexpensive due to the availability of gigantic disk-based storage devices including hard drives, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. However, fetching data from these devices for processing and rendering in interactive environments remains a bottleneck as data transfer speed has not kept pace with the sizes of both the secondary storage and main memory.Out-of-core algorithms are commonly used as a solution to transfer data efficiently from the secondary storage to main memory. Existing algorithms strongly rely on suitable data layout algorithms to reduce the data fetch time. However, in spite of all commonly used techniques, the total time required to seek and transfer data can still easily exceed the budget for total data fetch time. In this work, we propose an orthogonal approach to aggregate data and store them redundantly in multiple places in the storage device to ensure consistent data fetching performance. We pose this as a linear integer programming problem to minimize the amount of redundancy subject to the fetch time budget constraint. We provide an implementation on datasets with hundreds of millions of triangles to demonstrate how this data clustering can be created in practice and how the optimal solution is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new optical architecture for holographic data storage system which is compatible with a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) system is proposed. In the architecture, both signal and reference beams pass through a single objective lens with numerical aperture (NA) 0.85 for realizing angularly multiplexed recording. The geometry of the architecture brings a high affinity with an optical architecture in the BD system because the objective lens can be placed parallel to a holographic medium. Through the comparison of experimental results with theory, the validity of the optical architecture was verified and demonstrated that the conventional objective lens motion technique in the BD system is available for angularly multiplexed recording. The test-bed composed of a blue laser system and an objective lens of the NA 0.85 was designed. The feasibility of its compatibility with BD is examined through the designed test-bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The potential and the capabilities of Blu-ray technology (discs and drives) for massive screening applications are presented. High density microarrays are fabricated onto a Blu-ray disc and applied for the determination of microcystin residues and pathogenic microorganisms. Specific probes were physisorbed onto the BD surface and the biorecognition event was displayed using labeled secondary antibody solution and subsequent signal amplification. The attenuation of the reflected light caused by the reaction product is detected by the Blu-ray drive and inversely correlated with analyte concentration. BDs preserve the optical properties according to Blu-ray specifications, ensuring maximum accuracy and sensitivity of the drive during disc scanning. Detection limits of 0.4μg/L for microcystin LR and 100 and 101 cfu/mL for Salmonella typhimurium and Cronobacter sakazakii respectively, were achieved, improving considerably the DVD performances and reaching similar sensitivity as real-time quantitative PCR. Blu-ray technology adapted to the analysis of high density arrays highlights the enormous capabilities (high sensitivity, speed-scanning, optical resolution, portability) for point-of-care settings, diagnostics, and high-throughput screening applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While the Digital Versatile Disc was becoming the consumer's technology of choice for playing video content at the end of the 1990s, several companies started developing the next generation of optical discs. This led to a format war between two similar but incompatible high definition optical disc formats: Blu-ray and HD-DVD. The companies supporting these formats competed for dominance in the marketplace. HD-DVD was first to enter the market and had cheaper products, but did not win due to strategic manoeuvring of the Blu-ray supporters. Different from previous format wars, consumers did not determine the outcome. The competition was decided by tipping company support throughout the supply chain and using the technology adoption characteristics of the video game console industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]