Thermal and Optical Properties of Metal Azo Dyes for Digital Video Disc-Recordable Discs

The effects of the optical and thermal properties of metal azo dyes on the recording characteristics of digital video disc-recordable (DVD-R) discs have been studied. A sharp threshold for thermal decomposition of the dye assures a clear mark edge and low jitter for the minimum mark length of 0.4–0.44 µm. A steep absorption edge at the 635 nm side is also critical to high reflectivity and for fabricating clear mark edges. Following these guidelines, excellent 0.4 µm shortest mark length recording characteristics are achieved with original metal azo dye.