Abstract:
A beam addressed optical mass memory utilizes an alterable memory medium which exhibits a change in its optical properties as a function of time or as a function of write-rewrite cycles. A reference bit is recorded on the memory medium and one or more information bits are similarly recorded. The reference and information bits are subjected to essentially the same number of write-rewrite cycles, and therefore exhibit essentially identical changes in optical properties. Information is read out by sequentially directing the light beam to the reference bit and the information bits. A detector produces a reference signal indicative of the intensity of the light beam received from the reference bit and produces information signals indicative of the intensity of the light beam from each of the information bits. The reference signal is directed to a reference channel and temporarily stored. Each of the information signals is directed to an information channel. The reference signal is compared to each of the information signals and readout signals are produced which are indicative of the difference between or the ratio of the reference signal and each of the information signals.
Abstract:
Uniform magnetic thin films of manganese bismuth are produced on a nonmagnetic substrate capable of reacting with manganese, bismuth, or manganese bismuth. A thin passivating layer of oxidized aluminum covers the substrate and the manganese bismuth thin film overlays the thin passivating layer.