In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape is provided. The optical data storage tape includes a read/write data area including a plurality of writeable tracks for storing data thereon, each writeable track having a first track width. The optical data storage tape further includes a seam area positioned proximate to the read/write data area. The seam area including a plurality of non-writeable tracks, each non-writeable track including a second track width that is greater than the first track width for each writeable track.

Provided is an optical medium reproducing apparatus including: a detection unit that divides a luminous flux into a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region which are different in a position in a radial direction and/or a tangential direction, and combines a plurality of detection signals in correspondence with the amount of light that is incident to each of the plurality of regions with combination patterns which are selected to form signals of a plurality of channels; a multi-input equalizer unit that includes a plurality of equalizer units to which the signals of the plurality of channels are respectively supplied, computes outputs of the plurality of equalizer units, and outputs the resultant value as an equalization signal; and a binarization unit that performs binarization processing with respect to the equalization signal to obtain binary data. An addition signal channel including a constant multiplication of detection signals of the first region and the second region is included in at least one of the combination patterns.

A device for manufacturing an n-layered optical information carrier having an injection molding unit for manufacturing a carrier body with a first information layer, and furthermore, a first embossing unit for manufacturing a second information layer. The second information layer has an input via which information carriers can be received in the embossing unit. The embossing unit moreover has an output unit via which the coated information carriers are output. (n−2) additional embossing units are associated with the device, for manufacturing in each case an additional information layer, wherein “n” is greater than two. The respective units are linked to one another so that the n-layered information carrier is manufactured in an inline manufacturing. The (n−2) additional embossing units can be coupled to and uncoupled from the device, wherein the additional embossing units in each case have an input and an output unit.

Methods for producing an optical element having a cured layer with a concavo-convex structure are described. Such a method includes: forming a composition layer on a base material by using a composition containing a polymerizable compound and a photo initiator; forming a pattern formative layer by pressure-contacting a mold; and forming the cured layer having the concavo-convex structure by photo-curing the pattern formative layer, wherein the polymerizable compound contains (a) a urethane (meth)acrylate monomer, the composition contains 0.005 to 0.5 part by mass of the photo initiator with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable compound, and the cured layer has a film thickness of the concavo-convex structure within a range of 0.5 mm to 1 cm.

The same digital data is recorded with highly integrated manner on a plurality of media able to durably hold information over long-term. A minute graphic pattern indicating data bit information is drawn on a resist layer formed on a quartz glass substrate by exposing a beam and developed so as to prepare a master medium (M1), which comprises the quartz glass substrate having a minute recess and protrusion structure formed by etching where the remaining resist are used as a mask (FIG. (a)). The recess and protrusion structure recorded on the master medium (M1) is shaped and transferred onto a flexible recording medium (G2) on which a UV curable resin layer (61) is formed, whereby an intermediate medium (M2) is prepared (FIGS. (b)-(d)). The inverted recess and protrusion structure transferred to the intermediate medium (M2) is shaped and transferred onto a recording medium (G3) comprising a quartz glass substrate (70) on which a UV curable resin layer (80) is formed, whereby a reproduction medium (M3) having the same recess and protrusion structure as that of the master medium (M1) is prepared (FIGS. (e)-(h)). In shaping and transferring process, the media are separated using the flexibility of the intermediate medium (M2).

Durable seamless replication tools are disclosed for replication of seamless relief patterns in desired media, for example in optical recording or data storage media. Methods of making such durable replication tools are disclosed, including preparing a recording substrate on the inner surface of a support cylinder, recording and developing a relief pattern in the substrate, creating a durable negative relief replica of the pattern, extracting the resulting durable tool sleeve from a processing cell, and mounting the tool sleeve on a mounting fixture. Apparatus are disclosed for fabricating such seamless replication tools, including systems for recording a desired relief pattern on a photosensitive layer on an inner surface of a support cylinder. Also disclosed are electrodeposition cells for forming a durable tool sleeve having a desired relief pattern. The replication tool relief features may have critical dimensions down to the micron and nanometer regime.

A device for manufacturing an n-layered optical information carrier having an injection molding unit for manufacturing a carrier body with a first information layer, and furthermore, a first embossing unit for manufacturing a second information layer. The second information layer has an input via which information carriers can be received in the embossing unit. The embossing unit moreover has an output unit via which the coated information carriers are output. (n2) additional embossing units are associated with the device, for manufacturing in each case an additional information layer, wherein n is greater than two. The respective units are linked to one another so that the n-layered information carrier is manufactured in an inline manufacturing. The (n2) additional embossing units can be coupled to and uncoupled from the device, wherein the additional embossing units in each case have an input and an output unit.

A data storage medium includes a convexoconcave structure formed in a storage area which is set on a first surface of a quartz glass substrate. The storage area includes a plurality of unit storage areas which are arrayed at least in one direction, and non-data storage areas which are disposed between the unit storage areas, which are adjacent to each other. The convexoconcave structure includes unit data patterns, address patterns and boundary patterns. The unit data patterns are formed in the plurality of unit storage areas respectively in the array sequence of the unit storage areas, and the address patterns are formed in the non-data storage areas so as to correspond to each of the unit storage areas in which the unit data patterns are formed respectively.

A method is provided for making stamper plates for an embossing drum for embossing tape media. At least one first stamper plate is formed using a master template. The at least one first stamper plate includes first land and groove patterns that are an inverse of the master template land and groove patterns. At least one second stamper plate is formed from the at least one first stamper plate. The at least one second stamper plate includes second land and groove patterns that are an inverse of the first land and groove patterns. Furthermore, the first stamper plates and the second stamper plates have four sections arranged in a travel direction of the tape media, a first and a fourth of the four sections having land and groove patterns that are laterally mirrored with respect to each other. A first stamper plate is coupled to a second stamper plate to form part of the drum for embossing tape media.

A method is provided for making stamper plates for an embossing drum for embossing tape media. The stamper plates include at least one first plate having first land and groove patterns and at least one second plate having second land and groove patterns that are an inverse of the first land and groove patterns. Furthermore, the first stamper plates and the second stamper plates have four sections arranged in a travel direction of the tape media, a first and a fourth of the four sections having land and groove patterns that are laterally mirrored with respect to each other.