Optical Thin Film Recording Medium for Speed-Quality Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current recording media with heat-sensitive color-developing compositions and photothermal conversion agents face a trade-off between recording speed and display quality, where increasing photothermal conversion efficiency for faster recording compromises display quality and vice versa.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical thin film on the recording medium that reflects infrared wavelengths and transmits visible wavelengths, improving absorption efficiency without increasing the photothermal conversion material content, and using a diffuse reflection layer for enhanced visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the photothermal conversion material content is increased to improve recording speed, then recording speed is improved, but display quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording speedVSAvoiddisplay quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An optical thin film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the incident infrared light and the recording layer. This thin film selectively reflects infrared wavelengths while transmitting visible wavelengths, thereby enhancing the absorption of infrared energy by the photothermal conversion material without increasing the material content, thus improving recording speed while maintaining display quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical properties of the recording medium are modified by introducing an optical thin film with specific wavelength-selective characteristics. The thin film changes the parameter of infrared absorption efficiency without changing the concentration of photothermal conversion material, enabling faster recording while preserving the visual appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the photothermal conversion efficiency is increased to improve recording speed, then recording speed is improved, but visible light absorption increases compromising display quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording speedVSAvoidvisible light absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical thin film acts as a mediator that selectively interacts with different wavelengths. It reflects infrared wavelengths to enhance recording efficiency while transmitting visible wavelengths to maintain display quality, thereby resolving the contradiction between recording speed and visible light transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical thin film exhibits different optical properties for different wavelengths: high reflectivity for infrared wavelengths and high transparency for visible wavelengths. This local differentiation of optical properties allows the system to achieve both fast recording and good display quality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances recording speed and display quality by optimizing infrared absorption and reducing visible light absorption, allowing for efficient and high-quality multicolor recording.

Implementation Method 1

The optical thin film reflects the wavelength in an infrared region and transmits a wavelength in a visible region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The photothermal conversion material absorbs the wavelength in the infrared region and generating heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The photothermal conversion material absorbs a wavelength in an infrared region and generating heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion:

Implementation Method 4

a recording layer including a heat-sensitive color-developing composition and a photothermal conversion material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat-sensitive color development:

Data Source

PatentUS11718118B2Recording medium, exterior member, and method of recording on recording medium

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A recording medium according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a recording layer and an optical thin film. The recording layer includes a heat-sensitive color-developing composition and a photothermal conversion material. The photothermal conversion material absorbs a wavelength in an infrared region and generates heat. The optical thin film is provided on one surface of the recording layer. The optical thin film reflects the wavelength in the infrared region and transmits a wavelength in a visible region.