US3696346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Beam addressed optical memory
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A beam addressed optical memory utilizing a magnetic medium for information storage is provided with improved tracking. Alternate tracks of first and second magnetic direction are provided on the magnetic medium. The interface between adjacent tracks defines a domain wall boundary. A plurality of alterable information bits having either the first or the second magnetic direction are centered essentially on the boundary.
Inventors
- 👤 James David Zook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B11/00; G11B11/10; G11B11/105; G11B11/10532; G11B11/10534; G11B11/10536; G11B11/10502; G11B11/10504; G11B11/10508; G11B11/1055; G11B11/10576; G11B11/10578; G11B11/10595
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A beam addressed optical memory comprising: a magnetic medium capable of having regions of first and second magnetization direction, a region having the first magnetization direction producing a first magneto-optic rotation, and a region having the second magnetization direction producing a second magneto-optic rotation, a first track on the magnetic medium, the first track having the first magnetization direction, a second track on the magnetic medium adjacent the first track and having the second magnetization direction, the interface of the first and second tracks defining a boundary, a plurality of alterable information bits on the magnetic medium having either the first or the second magnetization direction, each of the bits being centered essentially on the boundary, light source means for providing a polarized light beam incident the magnetic medium, first beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially parallel to the boundary, second beam positioning means for positioning the polarized lIght beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially orthogonal to the boundary, coil means for providing an external magnetic field to the magnetic medium during the writing of the alterable information bits, balanced detector means positioned to receive the polarized light beam from the magnetic medium and for providing an output signal proportional to the net magneto-optic rotation of the polarized light beam by the magnetic medium, and beam positioning feedback means for directly a portion of the output signal to the second light beam positioning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A beam addressed optical memory comprising: a magnetic medium capable of having regions of first and second magnetization direction, a region having the first magnetization direction producing a first magneto-optic rotation, and a region having the second magnetization direction producing a second magneto-optic rotation, a first track on the magnetic medium, the first track having the first magnetization direction, a second track on the magnetic medium adjacent the first track and having the second magnetization direction, the interface of the first and second tracks defining a boundary, a plurality of alterable information bits on the magnetic medium having either the first or the second magnetization direction, each of the bits being centered essentially on the boundary, light source means for providing a polarized light beam incident the magnetic medium, first beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially parallel to the boundary, second beam positioning means for positioning the polarized lIght beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially orthogonal to the boundary, coil means for providing an external magnetic field to the magnetic medium during the writing of the alterable information bits, balanced detector means positioned to receive the polarized light beam from the magnetic medium and for providing an output signal proportional to the net magneto-optic rotation of the polarized light beam by the magnetic medium, and beam positioning feedback means for directly a portion of the output signal to the second light beam positioning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 1 wherein the first and second magnetization directions are normal to the plane of the magnetic medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 2 wherein the magnetic medium is manganese bismuth film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 1 and further comprising dither deflector means for deflecting the polarized light beam in a direction essentially orthogonal to the boundary, the dither deflector means deflecting the polarized light beam into the first track when an information bit having the second magnetization direction is written, and deflecting the polarized light beam into the second track when an information bit having the first magnetization direction is written.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 4 and further comprising the voltage supply means for simultaneously applying a voltage to the dither deflector means and the coil means, the polarity of the voltage supply being dependent upon the magnetization direction of the information bit being written.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
258 words
A beam addressed optical memory means comprising: a magnetic medium capable of having regions of first and second magnetization direction, a region having the first magnetization direction producing a first magneto-optic rotation, and a region having the second magnetization direction producing a second magneto-optic rotation, a first track on the magnetic medium, the first track having the first magnetization direction, a second track on the magnetic medium adjacent the first track and having the second magnetization direction, the interface of the first and second tracks defining a boundary, a plurality of alterable information bits on the magnetic medium having either the first or the second magnetization direction, each of the bits being centered essentially on an imaginary line extending from the boundary, light source means for providing a polarized light beam incident the magnetic medium, first beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially parallel to the boundary, second beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially orthogonal to the boundary, coil means for providing an external magnetic field to the magnetic medium during the writing of the alterable information bits, balanced detector means positioned to receive the polarized light beam from the magnetic medium and for providing an output signal proportional to the net magneto-optic rotation of the polarized light beam by the magnetic medium, and beam positioning feedback means for directing a portion of the output signal to the second light beam positioning means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
258 words
A beam addressed optical memory means comprising: a magnetic medium capable of having regions of first and second magnetization direction, a region having the first magnetization direction producing a first magneto-optic rotation, and a region having the second magnetization direction producing a second magneto-optic rotation, a first track on the magnetic medium, the first track having the first magnetization direction, a second track on the magnetic medium adjacent the first track and having the second magnetization direction, the interface of the first and second tracks defining a boundary, a plurality of alterable information bits on the magnetic medium having either the first or the second magnetization direction, each of the bits being centered essentially on an imaginary line extending from the boundary, light source means for providing a polarized light beam incident the magnetic medium, first beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially parallel to the boundary, second beam positioning means for positioning the polarized light beam with respect to the magnetic medium in a direction essentially orthogonal to the boundary, coil means for providing an external magnetic field to the magnetic medium during the writing of the alterable information bits, balanced detector means positioned to receive the polarized light beam from the magnetic medium and for providing an output signal proportional to the net magneto-optic rotation of the polarized light beam by the magnetic medium, and beam positioning feedback means for directing a portion of the output signal to the second light beam positioning means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 6 wherein the first and second magnetization directions are normal to the plane of the magnetic medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The beam addressed optical memory of claim 7 wherein the magnetic medium is manganese bismuth film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3500354A
Cited
US3631415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |