Subwavelength Optical Data Storage V2 -Fred Thomas 2005 INSIC

INSIC - 2005 INSIC Future of Data Storage Awardee

An international storage technology research consortium What INSIC does: - Organizes & manages high-risk, pre-competitive competitive, collaborative research projects - Develops & publishes long-range storage technology and applications roadmaps - Coordinates & obtains funding for university research funding for university research in storage technology

About Fred C Thomas III

Fred Charles Thomas III - Engineer and Inventor

Fred Thomas received a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Physics from Bucknell University in 1982. In 1990 he received a MS in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Control Systems and Non-linear Dynamics.

His awards include the International Design Excellence Award in 2009, Industrial Forum Product Design Award in 2008, "Nano50 Award" for "Subwavelength Optical Data Storage" in 2005, Lemelson-MIT "Inventor of the Week" Award in 2004, Iomega "Exceptional Invention Award" in 1999, and Laser Focus World "Electro-Optic Application of the Year Award" in 1994.

NG-DVD AO-DVD Fred Charles Thomas III Fred Thomas 2005 INSIC Future of Data Storage Awardee NG DVD Fred Thomas Iomega Alternative Data Storage INSIC Symposium Alternative Symposium Alternative Data Thomas Iomega Corp nano Reflected Subwavelength Optical Data

INSIC - 2005 INSIC Future of Data Storage Awardee

About Fred C Thomas III

Fred Charles Thomas III - Engineer and Inventor

Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
1
Multilevel Subwavelength 
Optical Data Storage 
Using 
Reflective Nanostructures
(NG-DVD & AO-DVD)
Fred Thomas
Iomega Corporation
Contact: thomasf@iomega.com
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
2
A Little Background… What is 
Subwavelength Optical Data Storage?
Amazing! “HEBS 
Glass” Gray Scale 
Fabrication
(2001)
HEBS fabrication of 3 micron 
AO-DVD mirrors (2002).
Macro scale demo of 
multilevel spatial encoding
(2002).
Original 
subwave 
storage patent 
filed (2002).
FDTD Modeling 
of Subwavelength 
quadrature AO-
DVD elements @ 
Uni. of Az. 
(2003).
Papers 
2002 & 
2003
Subwavelength 
ODS
Replicated nano-
structures 
smaller than a 
focused light 
spot that upon 
reflection alter 
the basic 
properties of the 
light in a 
controlled 
manner.
NanoOpto, Inc. brings nano-
grating (100 nm) products to 
market. With Iomega explore 
phase, amplitude multilevel 
ODS (2004 & 2005). 
NG-DVD
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
3
Multilevel Mechanisms for 
Subwavelength Optical Data Storage
● Amplitude Domain
Phase
● Spatial Domain
Reflectivity
Polarization
Multiplexed 
Spatial
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
4
NG-DVD Media Concepts
Two (2) 
Multilevel 
DVD Scale 
NG-DVD
Data Cells
Nano Birefringent 
Phase Retarder
Nano Wire-Grid 
Polarizer
Nano-Grating Technology Status
• 100 nm period parts. 
Tolerances < 10 nm.
• 50 nm period (6 months).
• Scales with laser wavelength.
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
5
Some Embodiments of 
Subwavelength Optical Data Storage
● AO-DVD (Articulated Optical – DVD )
● Articulated NG-DVD (Hybrid)
Nano reflective facets that 
encode multi-level data 
spatially via multi-path 
reflections.
400 GB – 1.2 TB
80X – 240X DVD 
Capacity
Nano reflective gratings that 
encode muti-level data via 
reflective amplitude, polarization, 
or phase retardance.
● NG-DVD (Nano-Grating – DVD)
200 GB – 600 GB
40X – 120X DVD
Nano reflective blazed 
gratings that encode muti-
level data via all AO & NG 
DVD mechanisms.
500 GB – 2.0 TB
100X – 400X DVD
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
6
Some NG-DVD Test Data
Nano Wire-Grid Media 
Amplitude Domain Reflectivity
0
0.03
0.105
0.96
0.8
0.1
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
      Mirror                       NG-DVD                Phase Change
Reflection (%) Static 
Data State Tester
Wire Grid NG-DVD
( 633 nm,  Al 150 nm period)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0
15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180
Rotation (Deg.)
Relative AmplitudeNA = 0.65
Reflected Amp.
NA = 0.65 
Spot on NG-DVD
Slightly Past Focus.
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
7
Some More NG-DVD Test Data
Simple Spin Stand 
Test
NA = 0.25 RPM =10,500 
25 KHz DOF Vibration 
NA = 0.25 RPM = 10,500
NA = 0.65 RPM =11,200 
Media Noise
Static 
measurements 
taken for 45° NG-
DVD orientation 
over 3 x 3 mm area 
showed noise 
comparable to FS 
mirror. ~ 1% ( laser 
drift noise)
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
8
AO-DVD & NG-DVD 
Manufacture
Why this is Exciting!
1. Mold
2. Prepared
substrate
3. Impression & Separation
4. Reactive Ion Etching
5. Post-processing:
Coating and dicing
NanoOpto’s Nano Replication Process
NanoOpto parts shipping:
• Cell phone camera IR filters
• DVD & CD ¼ waveplates
• Various Telecom components.
Reflective layer
Core
Nano-structured
Grating with fill.
ARC - top 
Overcoat
Substrate
NG-DVD Cross-section
Nano-Grating
90 nm period
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
9
Uniformity of NG-DVD Disc
Results & 
Process 
Capability (4”
Wafer)
< ± 2.5% Phase 
variation over 
part.
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
10
Subwavelength ODS 
Value Proposition within the Data 
Storage Landscape
> 70% of all DVDs shipped are ROM. The future of optical 
data storage is all about shipping HDTV resolution movies 
at low cost. – (Technology targets driving force in market.)
NG-DVD/AO-DVD are single layer, mastered and replicated 
technologies. Future standard optical technologies are 
multi-layer. (Cheaper to mass replicate than what is on the 
drawing board.)
NG-DVD/AO-DVD is a concept that can be made hybrid with 
standard DVD, HD-DVD & Blu-Ray technologies. Hence it 
has a recordable mode.
NG-DVD/AO-DVD technologies development is leveraged 
by the huge concurrent investment in nanotechnology into 
the foreseeable future. ( Nanotech is hot & has long legs 
into the future! ) Applicable to UV stylus data storage.
Fred Thomas, Iomega Corp
2005 INSIC Symposium – Alternative Data Storage
11
What has Changed?  What is Next?
The required 3-D reflective media structures can now be fabricated to 
scale. 
− NanoOpto Inc. is manufacturing to scale nano-grating structures (NG-DVD) with 
low-cost nano-replication. 
We know now that there is multilevel information content in reflections 
from a focused spot of light dwelling on both NG-DVD & AO-DVD 
subwavelength optical data elements.
− University of Arizona FDTD modeling shows that AO-DVD subwave structures 
provided multiplexed spatial information.
−
Initial Iomega & NanoOpto validated data exists relative to multilevel encoding 
potential of nano-grating using amplitude and phase signals.
Iomega’s Intellectual Property position in this area is solid.
−
Iomega Subwavelength ODS US patent issued April 12, 2005 (56 claims allowed).
−
Iomega has additional Subwavelength ODS US patents filed.
Iomega realizes we can not bring this product to market alone. We are 
looking for appropriate partners help commercialize this technology.  
Contact:  thomasf@iomega.com Phone: 801-332-4662 
Nano Wire-Grid Media 
Amplitude Domain Reflectivity
0
0.03
0.105
0.96
0.8
0.1
      Mirror                       NG-DVD                Phase Change
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Reflection (%)