U.S. patent application number 12/574651 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for method of forming micropattern, method of manufacturing optical recording medium master copy, optical recording medium master copy, optical recording medium stamper, and optical recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Michinobu Mieda, Go Mori, Hideharu Tajima, Nobuyuki Takamori, Masaki Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20100018639 12/574651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34117899 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamamoto; Masaki ; et
al. |
January 28, 2010 |
METHOD OF FORMING MICROPATTERN, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OPTICAL
RECORDING MEDIUM MASTER COPY, OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIUM MASTER COPY,
OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIUM STAMPER, AND OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIUM
Abstract
By using an existing, relatively inexpensive manufacturing
device, micropatterns (e.g. guiding grooves, prepits) having such
track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller than the diameter of a
light spot are formed more finely. There are provided at least two
layers, i.e. (i) a resin substrate and (ii) a depressed part
inducing layer made of dielectric material or metal oxide. A light
beam is radiated and focused onto the depressed part inducing layer
so as to form pit parts and/or guiding grooves on irradiated parts
of the resin substrate. The depressed part inducing layer is then
removed, so as to expose the pit parts and/or guiding grooves.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto; Masaki; (Nara,
JP) ; Mori; Go; (Nara, JP) ; Tajima;
Hideharu; (Nara, JP) ; Takamori; Nobuyuki;
(Kitakatsuragi-Gun, JP) ; Mieda; Michinobu;
(Shiki-Gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS ANGELL PALMER & DODGE LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Assignee: |
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
34117899 |
Appl. No.: |
12/574651 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10912028 |
Aug 4, 2004 |
7618768 |
|
|
12574651 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/220 ;
428/64.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03F 7/11 20130101; Y10T
156/1041 20150115; G11B 7/261 20130101; G03F 7/0017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/220 ;
428/64.4 |
International
Class: |
G11B 7/004 20060101
G11B007/004; G11B 7/24 20060101 G11B007/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2003 |
JP |
2003-205793 |
May 19, 2004 |
JP |
2004-149653 |
Claims
1-58. (canceled)
59. A medium comprising: a lamination formed by laminating a resin
layer and a depressed part inducing layer made of zinc oxide; and
wherein heat is generated in the depressed part inducing layer by
radiating and focusing a light beam modulated by recording signals
onto at least the depressed part inducing layer, so as to form a
depressed part corresponding to the recording signals in the resin
layer corresponding to a site where heat is generated upon the
radiation and focusing.
60. The medium as set forth in claim 59, wherein the resin layer is
made of polyolefin resin.
61. The medium as set forth in claim 59, wherein the lamination is
formed on a substrate from the side of the resin layer.
62. A medium comprising: a lamination formed by laminating a resin
layer, a depressed part inducing layer made of zinc oxide and a
heat-absorbing layer in this order; and wherein heat is generated
in the depressed part inducing layer by radiating and focusing a
light beam modulated by recording signals onto at least the
heat-absorbing layer, so as to form a depressed part corresponding
to the recording signals in the resin layer corresponding to a site
where heat is generated upon the radiation and focusing.
63. The medium as set forth in of claim 62, wherein the light beam
is radiated and focused onto the heat-absorbing layer from the side
of the resin layer.
64. The medium as set forth in claim 62, wherein: a metal layer is
formed on the heat-absorbing layer; and the light beam is radiated
and focused onto the heat-absorbing layer from the side of the
resin layer.
65. The medium of claim 62, wherein the heat-absorbing layer is
made of silicon.
66. The medium as set forth in claim 62, wherein the lamination is
formed on a substrate from the side of the resin layer.
67. A method of recording, comprising the steps of: forming a
lamination by laminating at least a resin layer without
photosensitivity and a depressed part inducing layer made of zinc
oxide; radiating and focusing a light beam modulated by recording
signals onto at least the depressed part inducing layer of the
lamination to generate heat in the depressed part inducing layer;
and forming a depressed part corresponding to the recording signals
in the resin layer corresponding to a site where heat is generated
upon the radiating and focusing, to perform recording.
68. A method of recording, comprising the steps of: forming a
lamination by laminating at least a resin layer without
photosensitivity, a depressed part inducing layer made of zinc
oxide, and a heat-absorbing layer in this order; radiating and
focusing a light beam onto at least the heat-absorbing layer of the
lamination to generate heat in the depressed part inducing layer
corresponding to an irradiated area; and forming a depressed part
corresponding to recording signals in the resin layer corresponding
to a site where heat is generated upon the radiation and focusing,
to perform recording.
Description
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority under U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 2003/205793 filed in Japan
on Aug. 4, 2003, and Patent Application No. 2004/149653 filed in
Japan on May 19, 2004. The entire contents of these applications
are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to (i) a method of forming a
micropattern, employed for such purposes as manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy used to manufacture an optical
recording medium (e.g. optical disk) in which information can be
recorded at high density, and relates to (ii) a method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, (iii) an
optical recording medium master copy, (iv) an optical recording
medium stamper, and (v) an optical recording medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recently, in order to increase the density of optical
recording mediums (e.g. optical disks), microfabrication
technologies for guiding grooves and prepits (often called "pits")
of optical disks have been developed. In general, the guiding
grooves and prepits are formed by so-called mastering process. In
the mastering process, photoresist is applied onto a glass
substrate, and a laser beam is radiated and focused onto the
photoresist. By thus exposing and developing the photoresist, an
optical disk master copy is fabricated.
[0004] The diameter of the light beam spot (hereinafter "light
spot") of the focused laser beam is approximately 0.8.lamda./NA,
where .lamda. is the wavelength of the laser beam, and NA is the
numerical aperture of the object lens that focuses the laser beam.
In order to attain microfabrication of the guiding grooves and
prepits of optical disks, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of
the light spot. For this purpose, it is necessary to shorten the
wavelength .lamda. and to increase NA.
[0005] However, NA is already 0.9 or higher, which is close to the
current upper limit. Therefore, it is virtually difficult to reduce
the diameter of the light spot by further increasing NA. On the
other hand, if such A that is in the ultraviolet region is adopted
(which means shortening the current wavelength), costs for optical
members increase. In addition, this decreases the focal depth,
thereby imposing stricter requirements to a master copy exposing
device.
[0006] Among the methods of forming such guiding grooves and
prepits that are smaller than the diameter of the light spot, there
is an etching method. In the etching method, a photoresist pattern
formed by development is used as a mask, and the material under the
mask is etched. According to this method, such a part of the
material under the mask that corresponds to the bottom width of the
photoresist pattern is etched. Therefore, it is possible to form
such guiding grooves and prepits that are equal to or smaller than
the pattern formed in the photoresist.
[0007] Publication 1 discloses the following manufacturing method
in which the photoresist pattern is used as a mask. First, a lower
layer made of non-photosensitive water-soluble resin is formed on a
glass substrate. Then, an intermediate layer made of inorganic
material is formed on the lower layer. On the intermediate layer,
an upper layer made of photosensitive resin is formed. Next, the
upper layer is exposed and developed, so that a predetermined
pattern is formed in the upper layer. At this time, reflecting the
Gaussian distribution of the intensity of the light beam, the
pattern in the upper layer is wider at an aperture than at a
bottom.
[0008] Next, by etching the intermediate layer through the pattern
in the upper layer, an aperture is formed. Then, optical ozone
ashing is performed by using the intermediate layer as a mask. As a
result, the pattern is transferred to the lower layer. Here, the
width of the pattern in the upper layer determines the shape of the
pattern in the lower layer. Therefore, it is possible to form such
patterns of prepits and guiding grooves that are equal to or
smaller than the diameter of the light spot. In addition, because
the intermediate layer is made of inorganic material, the
intermediate layer remains intact even after the upper layer (which
is made of photosensitive resin) is etched by the optical ozone
ashing. Therefore, such problems as the decay of an edge of a land
part do not occur.
[0009] Another method of forming such guiding grooves and prepits
that are smaller than the current diameter of the optical beam is
disclosed in publication 2. The method of publication 2 is a method
of recording information in an optical disk master copy. In this
method, an electron beam is radiated onto the optical disk master
copy, thereby forming a depressed part that represents recorded
information.
[0010] (Publication 1) Japanese Publication for Unexamined Patent
Application, Tokukai 2002-334483 (publication date: Nov. 22,
2002)
[0011] (Publication 2) Japanese Publication for Unexamined Patent
Application, Tokukaihei 09-44847 (publication date: Feb. 14,
1997)
[0012] However, the methods of publications 1 and 2 for forming
micropatterns such as guiding grooves and prepits have the
following problems: (1) there is a limit in forming such guiding
grooves and prepits whose track pitch and pit pitch are smaller
than the diameter of the light spot, or (2) a very expensive
manufacturing device is required.
[0013] The problem of the method of publication 1 is as follows. In
order to increase the density, it is necessary to fabricate narrow
guiding grooves and small pits, and to shorten (i) the track pitch,
i.e. groove-to-groove or pit-to-pit distance in the radial
direction, and (ii) the pit pitch, i.e. pit-to-pit distance in the
in-track direction. If the track pitch or pit pitch is smaller than
the diameter of the light spot, light spots overlap on the
photoresist. The method of publication 1 requires a contrast
between an exposed part and a non-exposed part, so as to use the
upper layer (which is made of photosensitive resin) as a mask layer
in etching the intermediate layer. However, if the light spots
overlap, the necessary contrast cannot be attained. Therefore, as
microfabrication advances, it becomes impossible to fabricate such
track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller than the diameter of the
light spot.
[0014] For example, according to publication 1, the patterns can be
formed effectively if the track pitch satisfies TP>3/4.times.BD,
where TP is the track pitch, and BD is the diameter of the light
beam, i.e. the size (light spot diameter) of such a part where the
light intensity is 1/e.sup.2 (e.apprxeq.2.718) of the maximum
value. On the other hand, such patterns that fall within the range
of TP<3/4.times.BD cannot be formed. Therefore, if the diameter
of the light spot is about 500 nm, it is impossible to form
patterns whose TP is about 375 nm or smaller.
[0015] The problem of the method of publication 2 is as follows: a
very expensive manufacturing device (e.g. a vacuum chamber for
generating ultrahigh vacuum, an electron gun for emitting an
electron beam) is required; that is, existing manufacturing devices
cannot be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention was made to solve the foregoing
problems. An object of the present invention is therefore to
provide (i) a method of forming a micropattern, employed to more
finely form micropatterns (e.g. guiding grooves, prepits) whose
track pitch and pit pitch are smaller than the diameter of the
light spot, by using an existing, relatively inexpensive
manufacturing device, and to provide (ii) a method of manufacturing
an optical recording medium master copy, (iii) an optical recording
medium master copy, (iv) an optical recording medium stamper, and
(v) an optical recording medium.
[0017] As a result of diligent study aimed at attaining the
foregoing object, the inventors of the present invention made the
following finding and reached the present invention: by forming a
lamination in which (i) a resin layer, (ii) an intermediate layer
made of dielectric material or metal oxide, and (iii) a
heat-absorbing layer that emits heat when irradiated by a light
beam, are laminated in this order, and radiating and focusing a
light beam onto the heat-absorbing layer of the lamination, a
depressed part smaller than those formed by a conventional method
can be formed in the resin layer, without requiring a special light
beam emitting device.
[0018] As a result of further diligent study, the inventors of the
present invention made the following finding and reached the
present invention: (1) the heat-absorbing layer is not always
necessary, and (2) by forming a lamination in which at least (i) a
resin layer in which a depressed part is to be formed, and (ii) a
depressed part inducing layer (equivalent to the intermediate
layer) that is made of dielectric material or metal oxide and that
induces formation of the depressed part are laminated, and
radiating and focusing a light beam onto at least the depressed
part inducing layer, a depressed part smaller than those formed by
a conventional method can be formed in the resin layer by using a
material that can be processed easily, without requiring a special
light beam emitting device.
[0019] To solve the foregoing problems, a method of the present
invention for forming a micropattern includes the steps of: forming
a lamination by laminating at least (i) a resin layer and (ii) a
depressed part inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material
or metal oxide; and radiating and focusing a light beam onto at
least the depressed part inducing layer of the lamination, so as to
form a depressed part in the resin layer.
[0020] With this method, it is possible to form more finely than
before such micropatterns that are smaller in size and shorter in
interval than the diameter of a light beam (typically guiding
grooves and prepits having such track pitch and pit pitch that are
smaller than the diameter of a light beam) by using an existing,
relatively inexpensive laser recording device using a light source
of 240 nm to 700 nm.
[0021] However, the formation mechanism of such micropatterns is
not known in detail. A presumable formation mechanism is discussed
later in the Embodiments section.
[0022] A method of the present invention for forming the
micropattern may include the steps of: forming a lamination by
laminating at least (i) a resin layer, (ii) a depressed part
inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material or metal
oxide, and (iii) a heat-absorbing layer in this order; and
radiating and focusing a light beam onto at least the
heat-absorbing layer of the lamination, so as to form a depressed
part in the resin layer. According to this method, heat is
generated in the heat-absorbing layer when the light beam is
radiated and focused onto at least the heat-absorbing layer, and
the heat is transmitted to the depressed part inducing layer, which
is made of dielectric material or metal oxide. As a result, such
micropatterns that are finer and more uniform in shape are formed
in the resin layer.
[0023] To solve the foregoing problems, a method of the present
invention for manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
may include: a film-forming step, in which at least a depressed
part inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material or metal
oxide, is laminated on a resin substrate, which is a master copy; a
light radiating step, in which a light beam is radiated and focused
onto at least the depressed part inducing layer, so as to form a
depressed part in the resin substrate; and a first peeling step, in
which each layer on the resin substrate is removed so as to expose
the depressed part.
[0024] With this method, as described in connection with the method
of forming a micropattern, an optical recording medium master copy
having guiding grooves and prepits (i) whose track pitch and pit
pitch are smaller than the diameter of the light beam and (ii) that
are finer than those formed by a conventional method can be
manufactured by using an existing, relatively inexpensive laser
recording device using a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm, and by
using a material that can be processed easily.
[0025] To solve the foregoing problems, a method of the present
invention for manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
includes: a film-forming step, in which at least (i) a resin layer
and (ii) a depressed part inducing layer, which is made of
dielectric material or metal oxide, are formed in this order on a
master copy substrate, which is made of inorganic material; a light
radiating step, in which a light beam is radiated and focused onto
at least the depressed part inducing layer, so as to form a
depressed part in the resin layer; and a first peeling step, in
which each layer on the resin layer is removed so as to expose the
depressed part.
[0026] With this method, like the foregoing method, an optical
recording medium master copy having guiding grooves and prepits
that are finer than those formed by a conventional method can be
manufactured by using an existing laser recording device. In
addition, because the resin layer is formed on the master copy
substrate, the master copy substrate can rotate stably without
wobbling in the light radiating step. As a result, it is possible
to form the micropatterns more uniformly than in the arrangement of
the resin substrate alone, thereby reducing the error rate.
[0027] To solve the foregoing problems, a method of the present
invention for manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
includes: a film-forming step, in which at least (i) a resin layer
and (ii) a depressed part inducing layer, which is made of
dielectric material or metal oxide, are formed in this order on a
master copy substrate, which is made of inorganic material; a light
radiating step, in which a light beam is radiated and focused onto
at least the depressed part inducing layer, so as to form a
depressed part in the resin layer; a first peeling step, in which
each layer on the resin layer is removed so as to expose the
depressed part; and an etching step, in which the depressed part,
which is formed in the resin layer, is transferred to the master
copy substrate by etching.
[0028] With this method, like the foregoing method, an optical
recording medium master copy having guiding grooves and prepits
that are finer than those formed by a conventional method can be
manufactured by using an existing laser recording device. In
addition, because the resin layer is formed on the master copy
substrate, the master copy substrate can rotate stably without
wobbling in the light radiating step. As a result, it is possible
to form the micropatterns more uniformly than in the arrangement of
the resin substrate alone, thereby reducing the error rate.
[0029] Moreover, because the micropatterns (e.g. guiding grooves,
prepits) formed in the resin layer, i.e. the micropatterns having
such track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller than the diameter
of the light beam, are transferred to the master copy substrate by
etching, the micropatterns formed in the master copy substrate are
more stable than the micropatterns formed in the resin layer.
[0030] The present invention also includes an optical recording
medium master copy manufactured by the method of forming an optical
recording medium master copy, an optical recording medium stamper
manufactured by using the optical recording medium master copy, and
an optical recording medium manufactured by using the stamper.
[0031] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of
the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a flowchart explaining a method of forming a
micropattern and a method of manufacturing an optical recording
medium master copy that are of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are partial cross-sectional views
illustrating the optical recording medium master copy in the
process of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of one example
of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 3.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an existing laser
recording device that can be used in the foregoing embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing an
optical recording medium stamper by using the optical recording
medium master copy.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing an
optical recording medium by using the optical recording medium
stamper.
[0039] FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are partial cross-sectional views of an
optical recording medium master copy in the manufacturing process,
illustrating a method of forming a micropattern and a method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy that are of
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 9 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of another
example of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 10 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of the optical recording medium master copy of another
example of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 9.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 10.
[0044] FIG. 13 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of yet another
example of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 13.
[0046] FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are partial cross-sectional views of
an optical recording medium master copy in the manufacturing
process, illustrating a method of forming a micropattern and a
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
that are of yet another embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 16 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of still another
example of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 16.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a flowchart explaining a method of forming a
micropattern and a method of manufacturing an optical recording
medium master copy that are of still another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] FIGS. 19(a) through 19(d) are partial cross-sectional views
illustrating the optical recording medium master copy in the
process of FIG. 18.
[0051] FIG. 20 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of further
example of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 20.
[0053] FIGS. 22(a) through 22(d) are partial cross-sectional views
of an optical recording medium master copy in the manufacturing
process, illustrating a method of forming a micropattern and a
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
that are of further embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 23 is an image of the surface, on which prepits are
formed, of an optical recording medium master copy of another
further example of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line
x-y on the image of FIG. 23.
[0056] FIGS. 25(a) through 25(d) are partial cross-sectional views
of an optical recording medium master copy in the manufacturing
process, illustrating a method of forming a micropattern and a
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
that are of further embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] FIGS. 26(a) through 26(c) are partial cross-sectional views
of an optical recording medium master copy in the manufacturing
process, illustrating a method, according to one example of the
present invention, of forming an optical recording medium substrate
by employing a 2P method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0058] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 7, the following describes
a method of forming a micropattern and a method of manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy that are one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0059] FIG. 1 is a flowchart explaining the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy.
FIG. 2(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical
recording medium master copy 51a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that a depressed part inducing
layer 62 has been laminated on a resin substrate (resin layer) 61
as a result of the film-forming step of FIG. 1. FIG. 2(b) is a
partial cross-sectional view illustrating the optical recording
medium master copy 51a, in which pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
(the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are micropatterns
(depressed part)) have been formed in the resin substrate 61 as a
result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 1.
[0060] In FIG. 2(a), the resin substrate (resin layer) 61 and the
depressed part inducing layer 62 are adjacent to each other.
However, another thin layer such as a layer of Al (thickness: 5 nm)
may be provided between the resin substrate (resin layer) 61 and
the depressed part inducing layer 62, although it is preferable for
the purpose of forming the depressed part if the resin substrate
(resin layer) 61 and the depressed part inducing layer 62 are
adjacent to each other.
[0061] In the figures of Embodiments 2 through 5 (described later),
(i) the resin substrate (resin layer) and the depressed part
inducing layer are adjacent to each other, (ii) the depressed part
inducing layer and the heat-absorbing layer are adjacent to each
other, and (iii) the heat-absorbing layer and the metal layer are
adjacent to each other. However, as in the case above, it is not
necessary that these layers are adjacent to each other. Instead,
another thin layer may be provided between the layers. For the
purpose of forming the depressed part, however, it is preferable if
(i) the resin substrate (resin layer) and the depressed part
inducing layer are adjacent to each other, (ii) the depressed part
inducing layer and the heat-absorbing layer are adjacent to each
other, and (iii) the heat-absorbing layer and the metal layer are
adjacent to each other.
[0062] Therefore, the claim language "laminating . . . and . . . ",
and "laminating . . . , . . . , and . . . in this order" do not
mean that the layers laminated are adjacent to each other. What is
meant by the claim language is that another layer may be provided
between the layers. For the purpose of forming the depressed part,
however, it is preferable if the layers are adjacent to each
other.
[0063] First, in the film-forming step S1, the depressed part
inducing layer 62, which is made of dielectric material or metal
oxide, is formed on the resin substrate (resin layer) 61. As a
result, a lamination including the resin substrate 61 and the
depressed part inducing layer 62 is formed. The lamination is the
optical recording medium master copy 51a in the course of
manufacture.
[0064] The resin substrate 61 needs to give appropriate strength to
the depressed part inducing layer 62. If the recording beam (light
beam) is radiated from the side of the depressed part inducing
layer 62 in the subsequent recording step, the optical
characteristic of the material of the resin substrate 61 is not
particularly limited. Therefore, the material of the resin
substrate 61 may be transparent or non-transparent. On the other
hand, if the recording beam is radiated from the side of the resin
substrate 61 in the recording step, it is preferable, from the
viewpoint of light utilization efficiency, if the optical
characteristic of the material of the resin substrate 61 is
transparent at the wavelength of the recording beam, so as not to
prevent the incidence of the recording beam.
[0065] The material of the resin substrate 61 is not particularly
limited, but it is preferable if an organic compound is used.
Examples of the organic compound are (i) thermoplastic transparent
resin (plastic) such as polyolefin resin, polycarbonate,
thermoplastic polyimide, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN
(polyethernitrile), and PES (polyethersulfone); (ii) thermosetting
transparent resin such as thermosetting polyimide and
ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin; and (iii) a combination of these
compounds. Among these examples, polyolefin resin is particularly
preferable.
[0066] The thickness of the resin substrate 61 is not particularly
limited. For example, an appropriate thickness of the resin
substrate 61 is on the order of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.
[0067] On the inner surface of the resin substrate 61 (the surface
closer to the depressed part inducing layer 62), (i) pits
corresponding to information to be recorded, and/or (ii) guiding
grooves may be formed in advance.
[0068] As described above, the depressed part inducing layer 62 is
made of dielectric material or metal oxide. More specifically, the
depressed part inducing layer 62 is made of AlN, SiN, or the like
dielectric material, or ZnO, SnO.sub.2, or the like metal oxide.
Among these examples, ZnO (zinc oxide) is particularly preferable.
The thickness of the depressed part inducing layer 62 can be
adjusted by changing the material thereof. An appropriate thickness
of the depressed part inducing layer 62 is on the order of 5 nm to
800 nm, for example. However, a preferable thickness of the
depressed part inducing layer 62 is 10 nm to 500 nm, if ZnO is
chosen.
[0069] Next, in the recording step S2, the recording beam, which
has been emitted from a light source and intensity-modulated by
recording signals, is focused at least on the depressed part
inducing layer 62 of the optical recording medium master copy 51a.
The recording beam is focused through an object lens, while the
optical recording medium master copy 51a is rotating. At this time,
heat is generated in those parts of the depressed part inducing
layer 62 irradiated by the recording beam. As a result, latent
images respectively corresponding to the recording signals are
formed on the resin substrate (resin layer) 61. The focused
recording beam has a focal depth (generally represented by
.lamda./(NA.times.NA); for example, the focal depth is about 1
.mu.m if .lamda.=408 nm, NA=0.65, and is about 300 nm if
.lamda.=257 nm, NA=0.9). Therefore, if a part of the depressed part
inducing layer 62 is within the focal depth, the recording beam is
focused on the depressed part inducing layer 62.
[0070] The recording beam may be radiated from the side of the
resin substrate 61, or from the side of the depressed part inducing
layer 62.
[0071] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the depressed part
inducing layer 62 of the optical recording medium master copy 51a
is peeled off the resin substrate 61, thereby leaving the resin
substrate 61 alone. The method of peeling is not particularly
limited, as long as the depressed part inducing layer 62 can be
peeled off selectively and completely. For example, it is possible
to peel off the depressed part inducing layer 62 by soaking it in a
solution to which the resin substrate 61 is insoluble but the
depressed part inducing layer 62 is soluble. Examples of such a
solution are NaOH or the like alkaline solution and HNO.sub.3,
H.sub.2SO.sub.4, or the like acid solution. When the depressed part
inducing layer 62 is peeled off, the surface of the resin substrate
61 is exposed. As a result, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
formed in the resin substrate 61 in the previous recording step are
exposed.
[0072] In this way, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 are formed in the resin substrate 61. As a
result, an optical recording medium master copy 51 is obtained.
[0073] In the present embodiment, the width and depth of the
guiding grooves and the size (width) and depth of the prepits in
the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 can be optimized by
adjusting the rotation number of the optical recording medium
master copy 51a and the power of the recording beam in the
recording step S2. The size and depth of the prepits can be
adjusted also by adjusting the duty of the recording signals.
[0074] Described below is an example of the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master
copy.
Example 1
[0075] First, in the film-forming step S1, a ZnO film (depressed
part inducing layer 62; thickness: on the order of 100 nm) is
formed by magnetron sputtering on a polyolefin resin substrate
(resin substrate 61; thickness: on the order of 0.5 mm). In this
way, an optical recording medium master copy (lamination) 51a is
formed.
[0076] In the recording step S2 of the present example, a laser
recording device of low eccentricity accuracy is used. In view of
the circumstance, recording is carried out while performing
tracking servo. Therefore, the resin substrate 61 has a guiding
groove part (track pitch: 0.8 .mu.m; groove width: about 0.4 .mu.m;
groove depth: about 80 nm), and the guiding groove part is used in
performing the tracking servo. In the present example, information
is recorded in grooves (depressions in the guiding groove
part).
[0077] Next, in the recording step S2, recording is carried out by
focusing the recording beam (wavelength: 408 nm), which has been
intensity-modulated by the recording signals, on the ZnO film (the
depressed part inducing layer 62 of the lamination 51a). The
recording beam is focused through an object lens (numerical
aperture NA: 0.65), while the lamination 51a is rotating at a
linear velocity of 1.8 m/s. The recording beam is radiated from the
side of the depressed part inducing layer 62.
[0078] The diameter of the light beam spot of the focused recording
beam is approximately 500 nm, according to the formula
0.8.lamda./NA. In order to record information, a rectangular wave
having a frequency of 6.43 MHz (linear velocity: 1.8 m/s; pit
pitch: 0.28 .mu.m) is used as recording signals. The duty of the
rectangular wave is 35%, and the beam power intensity of the
recording beam is 0 mW when the rectangular wave is low, and 12.0
mW when the rectangular beam is high.
[0079] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the optical recording
medium master copy 51a is soaked in an HNO.sub.3 solution
(concentration: about 15%) for about one hour. In this way, the ZnO
film (depressed part inducing layer 62) dissolves in the HNO.sub.3
solution, and is peeled off the resin substrate 61. As a result,
recording marks (pits) respectively corresponding to the recording
signals are formed in the grooves. After that, the resin substrate
61 is cleaned with purified water, and baked at 95.degree. C. for
about one hour. Thus, an optical recording medium master copy 51 is
formed.
[0080] FIG. 3 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a part of the
optical recording medium master copy 51 where the pits are formed.
In the part shown in FIG. 3, the pits are formed at a pit pitch of
0.28 .mu.m. In FIG. 3, the black circular marks are the pits, and
the gray and black stripes are a groove and a land, which are
formed in advance. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the
solid line x-y on the plan view of FIG. 3.
[0081] In the present example, as described above, the pits are
formed in the grooves. However, the pits may be formed on lands
(protrusions in the guiding groove part) or planes (outside the
guiding groove part). The recording pattern may have a groove-like
shape.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pits having a pit length of
140 nm or less and a pit depth of about 20 nm to 70 nm are formed,
although the shapes of the pits are not uniform on the whole.
[0083] As described above, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible to manufacture pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 having such track pitch and pit pitch that are
smaller than the diameter of the light beam, and to manufacture an
optical recording medium master copy 51 having the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2.
[0084] The pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are smaller than the
guiding grooves and prepits formed by the method disclosed in
publication 1. Therefore, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible to form guiding grooves and prepits having such track
pitch and pit pitch that are smaller than before, and to
manufacture an optical recording medium master copy having the
guiding grooves and prepits.
[0085] Moreover, it is possible in this case to form small guiding
grooves and prepits by a currently available and relatively
inexpensive laser recording device using a light source of 240 nm
to 700 nm, without requiring an expensive device such as the device
used in carrying out the electron beam method disclosed in
publication 2.
[0086] FIG. 5 shows an example of an existing laser recording
device that can be used in the recording step S2. In FIG. 5,
referential numeral 101 is a laser light source using a light
source of 240 nm to 700 nm. The laser light source 101 emits a
recording beam 102, and the recording beam 102 is received by an
optical modulator 104 after being reflected by two mirrors 103-1
and 103-2. The recording beam 102 is then subjected to intensity
modulation in accordance with recording signals. After modulation,
the recoding beam is reflected by a mirror 103-3. Then, the
recording beam is focused on a glass substrate 107 through an
object lens 105, while the glass substrate 107 is driven and
rotated by a spindle motor 108. The irradiated surface of the glass
substrate 107 is coated with positive photoresist 106.
[0087] In the recording step S2, the above-described laser
recording device is used, and the recording beam 102 is focused on
the optical recording medium master copy 51a, instead of the glass
substrate 107 (which is coated with the positive photoresist 106),
while the optical recording medium master copy 51a is driven and
rotated by a spindle motor.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 6, if Ni electroforming is performed by
using the optical recording medium master copy 51 manufactured as
described above, an optical recording medium stamper 20 can be
manufactured by so-called transfer. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
7, by (1) using the optical recording medium stamper 20 to perform
injection molding of a resin material such as polycarbonate,
thereby obtaining an optical recording medium substrate 22, and (2)
forming a thin-film section 24 (including a recording layer and the
like) and, if necessary, a cover layer 25 and the like, on the
optical recording medium substrate 22, it is possible to
manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such guiding
grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit pitch that
are smaller than before. In FIG. 7, referential numeral 23 is an
optical recording medium mold.
[0089] Moreover, by employing a 2P (Photo-Polymer) method, it is
possible to manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such
guiding grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit
pitch that are smaller than before, by (1) manufacturing the
optical recording medium substrate 22 from the optical recording
medium master copy 51, and (2) forming a thin-film section 24
(including a recording layer and the like) and, if necessary, a
cover layer 25 and the like, on the optical recording medium
substrate 22. The optical recording medium substrate 22 is
manufactured by the 2P method as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
26(a), radiation curing resin 201 is applied onto the optical
recording medium master copy 51. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(b), a
substrate 202 is pressed against the radiation curing resin 201. In
this way, the patterns on the optical recording medium master copy
51 are transferred to the radiation curing resin 201. After that,
the radiation curing resin 201 is cured by radiation, so that the
radiation curing resin 201 adheres to the substrate 202. Then, as
shown in FIG. 26(c), the radiation curing resin 201 is separated
from the optical recording medium master copy 51. As a result, the
optical recording medium substrate 22 is obtained.
Embodiment 2
[0090] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5 through 14, the
following describes a method of forming a micropattern and a method
of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy that are
another embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of
explanation, members whose functions are identical to those of the
members in Embodiment 1 are labeled with identical referential
numerals, and explanations of such members are omitted.
[0091] FIG. 1 is a flowchart explaining the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy.
FIG. 8(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical
recording medium master copy 1a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that an intermediate layer
(depressed part inducing layer) 12 and a heat-absorbing layer 13
have been laminated in this order on a resin substrate (resin
layer) 11 as a result of the film-forming step of FIG. 1. FIG. 8(b)
is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording
medium master copy 1, in which pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
(micropatterns; depressed part) have been formed in the resin
substrate 11 as a result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 1.
[0092] First, in the film-forming step S1, the intermediate layer
12, which is made of dielectric material or metal oxide, is formed
on the resin substrate (resin layer) 11. Then, the heat-absorbing
layer 13 is formed on the intermediate layer 12. As a result, a
lamination including (i) the resin substrate 11, (ii) the
intermediate layer 12, and (iii) the heat-absorbing layer 13 is
formed. The lamination is the optical recording medium master copy
1a in the course of manufacture.
[0093] Like the resin substrate 61 described above, the resin
substrate 11 needs to give appropriate strength to the intermediate
layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13. If the recording beam is
radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing layer 13 in the
subsequent recording step, the optical characteristic of the
material of the resin substrate 11 is not particularly limited.
Therefore, the material of the resin substrate 11 may be
transparent or non-transparent. On the other hand, if the recording
beam is radiated from the side of the resin substrate 11 in the
recording step, it is preferable, from the viewpoint of light
utilization efficiency, if the optical characteristic of the
material of the resin substrate 11 is transparent at the wavelength
of the recording beam, so as not to prevent the incidence of the
recording beam.
[0094] As in the case of the resin substrate 61, the material of
the resin substrate 11 is not particularly limited, but it is
preferable if an organic compound is used. Examples of the organic
compound are (i) thermoplastic transparent resin (plastic) such as
polyolefin resin, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyimide, PET
(polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethernitrile), and PES
(polyethersulfone); (ii) thermosetting transparent resin such as
thermosetting polyimide and ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin; and
(iii) a combination of these compounds. Among these examples,
polyolefin resin is particularly preferable.
[0095] The thickness of the resin substrate 11 is not particularly
limited. For example, an appropriate thickness of the resin
substrate 11 is on the order of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.
[0096] On the inner surface of the resin substrate 11 (the surface
closer to the intermediate layer 12), (i) pits corresponding to
information to be recorded, and/or (ii) guiding grooves may be
formed in advance.
[0097] If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 in the recording step, the optical
characteristic of the material of the intermediate layer 12 is not
particularly limited. Therefore, the material of the intermediate
layer 12 may be transparent or non-transparent. On the other hand,
if the recording beam is radiated from the side of the resin
substrate 11 in the recording step, it is preferable as in the case
of the resin substrate 11 from the viewpoint of light utilization
efficiency, if the optical characteristic of the material of the
intermediate layer 12 is transparent at the wavelength of the
recording beam, so as not to prevent the incidence of the recording
beam.
[0098] As described above, the intermediate layer 12 is made of
dielectric material or metal oxide. More specifically, like the
depressed part inducing layer 62 described above, the intermediate
layer 12 is made of AlN, SiN, or the like dielectric material, or
ZnO, SnO.sub.2, or the like metal oxide. Among these examples, ZnO
(zinc oxide) is particularly preferable. The thickness of the
intermediate layer 12 can be adjusted by changing the material
thereof. An appropriate thickness of the intermediate layer 12 is
on the order of 5 nm to 800 nm, for example. However, a preferable
thickness of the intermediate layer 12 is 10 nm to 500 nm, if ZnO
is chosen.
[0099] It is preferable if the heat-absorbing layer 13 is made of
such a material that absorbs the recording beam and converts it
into heat. More specifically, examples of such a material are (i)
Si film, (ii) Ge film, (iii) phase change film such as AgInSbTe
film and GeSbTe film, (iv) magnetooptical film such as TbFeCo film,
DyFeCo film, and GdFeCo film, and (v) alloy film of these
materials. Among these examples, Si film is most preferable.
[0100] The thickness of the heat-absorbing layer 13 can be adjusted
by changing the material thereof. An appropriate thickness of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 is on the order of 3 nm to 300 nm, for
example. However, a preferable thickness of the heat-absorbing
layer 13 is 5 nm to 100 nm, if Si is chosen.
[0101] Next, in the recording step S2, the recording beam, which
has been emitted from a light source and intensity-modulated by
recording signals, is focused at least on the heat-absorbing layer
13 of the optical recording medium master copy 1a. The recording
beam is focused through an object lens, while the optical recording
medium master copy 1a is rotating. At this time, heat is generated
in those parts of the heat-absorbing layer 13 irradiated by the
recording beam. As a result, latent images respectively
corresponding to the recording signals are formed on the resin
substrate 11. The focused recording beam has a focal depth
(generally represented by .lamda./(NA.times.NA); for example, the
focal depth is about 1 .mu.m if .lamda.=408 nm, NA=0.65, and is
about 300 nm if .lamda.=257 nm, NA=0.9). Therefore, if a part of
the heat-absorbing layer 13 is within the focal depth, the
recording beam is focused on the heat-absorbing layer 13.
[0102] The recording beam may be radiated from the side of the
resin substrate 11, or from the side of the heat-absorbing layer
13. However, for the following reason, it is preferable if the
recording beam is radiated from the side of the resin substrate 11.
If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the resin
substrate 11, the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer 13 is
easily transmitted to the intermediate layer 12, and, because the
recording beam is transmitted through the intermediate layer 12,
the intermediate layer 12 generates heat by absorbing the recording
beam. Therefore, radiating the recording beam from the side of the
resin substrate 11 is more advantageous than radiating the
recording beam from the side of the heat-absorbing layer 13 in the
following respects: (1) the shapes of the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 are more uniform after the film-peeling step, and (2)
recording can be carried out at lower power. Because the recording
beam needs to be absorbed by the heat-absorbing layer 13, it is
preferable if the wavelength of the light source is in such a range
that the heat-absorbing layer 13 absorbs heat.
[0103] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the intermediate layer 12
and the heat-absorbing layer 13 of the optical recording medium
master copy 1a are peeled off the resin substrate 11, thereby
leaving the resin substrate 11 alone. The method of peeling is not
particularly limited, as long as the intermediate layer 12 and the
heat-absorbing layer 13 can be peeled off selectively and
completely. For example, it is possible to peel off the
intermediate layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 by soaking
them in a solution to which the resin substrate 11 is insoluble but
the intermediate layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 are
soluble. Examples of such a solution are NaOH or the like alkaline
solution and HNO.sub.3, H.sub.2SO.sub.4, or the like acid solution.
It is not necessary to peel off both the intermediate layer 12 and
the heat-absorbing layer 13. If the intermediate layer 12 (which is
adjacent to the resin substrate 11) is peeled off the resin
substrate 11, the heat-absorbing layer 13 (which is provided on the
intermediate layer 12) is simultaneously peeled off. Therefore, it
is sufficient if the intermediate layer 12 is peeled off. When the
intermediate layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 are peeled
off, the surface of the resin substrate 11 is exposed. As a result,
the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 formed in the resin
substrate 11 in the previous recording step are exposed.
[0104] In this way, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 are formed in the resin substrate 11. As a
result, an optical recording medium master copy 1 is obtained.
[0105] In the case of Embodiment 1, heat is not generated
efficiently in the recording step S2 in those parts of the
depressed part inducing layer 62 irradiated by the recording beam.
As a result, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 have irregular
shapes.
[0106] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the
heat-absorbing layer 13 is formed on the intermediate layer
(depressed part inducing layer) 12 in the film-forming step S1. Due
to the presence of the heat-absorbing layer 13, heat is generated
more efficiently upon radiation of the recording beam. Therefore, a
larger amount of heat is transmitted to the intermediate layer 12.
In this case, the shapes of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
are more uniform. As a result, it is possible to reduce the jitter
of reproduced signals, thereby reducing the error rate of the
reproduced signals.
[0107] In the present embodiment, the width and depth of the
guiding grooves and the size (width) and depth of the prepits in
the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 can be optimized by
adjusting the rotation number of the optical recording medium
master copy 1a and the power of the recording beam in the recording
step S2. The size and depth of the prepits can be adjusted also by
adjusting the duty of the recording signals.
[0108] Described below are two examples of the methods of the
present embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and
the method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master
copy.
Example 2
[0109] First, in the film-forming step S1, a ZnO film (intermediate
layer 12; thickness: on the order of 100 nm), and an Si film
(heat-absorbing layer 13; thickness: on the order of 30 nm) are
formed by magnetron sputtering on a polyolefin resin substrate
(resin substrate 11; thickness: on the order of 0.5 mm). In this
way, an optical recording medium master copy (lamination) 1a is
formed.
[0110] In the recording step S2 of the present example, a laser
recording device of low eccentricity accuracy is used. In view of
the circumstance, recording is carried out while performing
tracking servo. Therefore, the resin substrate 11 has a guiding
groove part (track pitch: 0.8 .mu.m; groove width: about 0.4 .mu.m;
groove depth: about 80 nm), and the guiding groove part is used in
performing the tracking servo. In the present example, information
is recorded on lands (protrusions in the guiding groove part).
[0111] Next, in the recording step S2, recording is carried out by
focusing the recording beam (wavelength: 408 nm), which has been
intensity-modulated by the recording signals, on the Si film (the
heat-absorbing layer 13 of the lamination). The recording beam is
focused through an object lens (numerical aperture NA: 0.65), while
the lamination is rotating at a linear velocity of 1.8 m/s. The
recording beam is radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing
layer 13.
[0112] The diameter of the light beam spot of the focused recording
beam is approximately 500 nm, according to the formula
0.8.lamda./NA. In order to record information, two kinds of
rectangular waves are used as recording signals. One has a
frequency of 2.25 MHz (linear velocity: 1.8 m/s; pit pitch: 0.8
.mu.m), and the other has a frequency of 9.00 MHz (linear velocity:
1.8 m/s; pit pitch: 0.2 .mu.m). The duty of the rectangular waves
is 35%. The beam power intensity of the recording beam is 0 mW when
the rectangular waves are low, 11.5 mW (at the frequency of 2.25
MHz) or 12.0 mW (at the frequency of 9.00 MHz) when the rectangular
waves are high.
[0113] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the optical recording
medium master copy 1a is soaked in an HNO.sub.3 solution
(concentration: about 15%) for about one hour. In this way, the ZnO
film (intermediate layer 12) and the Si film (heat-absorbing layer
13) dissolve in the HNO.sub.3 solution, and are peeled off the
resin substrate 11. As a result, recording marks (pits)
respectively corresponding to the recording signals are formed on
the lands. After that, the resin substrate 11 is cleaned with
purified water, and baked at 95.degree. C. for about one hour.
Thus, an optical recording medium master copy 1 is formed.
[0114] Thus, the pits are formed on the optical recording medium
master copy 1 at two different pit pitches. FIG. 9 is an AFM image
(plan view) of such a part where the pits are formed at a pit pitch
of 0.8 .mu.m. FIG. 10 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a part
where the pits are formed at a pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m. In FIGS. 9
and 10, black circular marks are the pits, and the black and gray
stripes are a groove and a land, which are formed in advance. FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line x-y on the
plan view of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along
the solid line x-y on the plan view of FIG. 10.
[0115] In the present example, as described above, the pits are
formed on the lands. However, the pits may be formed on grooves
(depressions in the guiding groove part) or planes (outside the
guiding groove part). The record pattern may have a groove-like
shape.
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, at the pit pitch of 0.8 .mu.m,
the pits having a pit length of about 400 nm and a pit depth of
about 100 nm are formed almost uniformly. In the part where the pit
pitch is 0.2 .mu.m, the pits having a pit length of 200 nm or less
and a pit depth of about 30 nm to 150 nm are formed, although the
shapes of the pits are not uniform on the whole.
Example 3
[0117] In Example 2, the recording beam is radiated from the side
of the heat-absorbing layer 13. On the other hand, in the present
example, the recording beam is radiated from the side of the resin
substrate 11. When the rectangular wave is high, the beam power
intensity of the recording beam is 6.5 mW (at the frequency of 2.25
MHz) or 6.0 mW (at the frequency of 9.00 MHz). The present example
is the same as Example 2 except the incidence direction of the
recording beam and the laser power intensity in the recording step
S2.
[0118] Thus, two kinds of pits are formed on the optical recording
medium master copy 1. FIG. 13 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a
part where the pits are formed at a pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m. In the
part where the pits are formed at the pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m, the
shapes of the pits are more uniform than the pits of Example 2. In
FIG. 13, the black circular marks are the pits, and the black and
gray stripes are a groove and a land, which are formed in advance.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line x-y on
the plan view of FIG. 13.
[0119] In the present example, the pits are formed on the lands.
However, the pits may be formed on grooves (depressions in the
guiding groove part) or planes (outside the guiding groove part).
The record pattern may have a groove-like shape.
[0120] In Example 2, neither the pit length nor the pit depth is
uniform at the pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m. On the other hand, in the
present example, almost uniform pits (pit length: about 110 nm; pit
depth: about 90 nm) are formed at lower power. The difference is
clear by comparing FIG. 10 with FIG. 13, and FIG. 12 with FIG.
14.
[0121] Thus, the pits formed in the present example are more
uniform than the pits in Example 2. The reason for this phenomenon
is presumably as follows. In Example 2, the recording beam is
radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing layer 13. Therefore,
the thicker the heat-absorbing layer 13 is, the more difficult it
is to transmit the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer 13 to
the intermediate layer 12. In addition, the thicker the
heat-absorbing layer 13 is, the more uneven the transmitted heat
is. On the other hand, in the present example, the recording beam
is radiated from the side of the resin substrate 11. Therefore, the
heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer 13 is more easily
transmitted to the intermediate layer 12, and the transmitted heat
is less uneven. Thus, the pits formed in the present example are
more uniform. As a result, the jitter of reproduced signals is
reduced, and the error rate of the reproduced signals is smaller
than that of Example 1.
[0122] In the present example, the pits are formed at lower power
than in Example 2. The reason for this phenomenon is presumably as
follows. In Example 2, the recording beam is radiated from the side
of the heat-absorbing layer 13. Therefore, the heat generated in
the heat-absorbing layer 13 is not easily transmitted to the
intermediate layer 12. On the other hand, in the present example,
the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer 13 is easily
transmitted to the intermediate layer 12, because the recording
beam is transmitted from the side of the resin substrate 11.
Moreover, because the recording beam is transmitted from the side
of the resin substrate 11 in the present example, the recording
beam is transmitted through the intermediate layer 12. Therefore,
the intermediate layer 12 absorbs and generates heat by itself. As
a result, in the present example, heat that is equivalent to the
heat in Example 2 can be applied to the intermediate layer 12 at
lower power. Therefore, the pits are formed at lower power.
[0123] As described above, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible to manufacture pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 having such track pitch and pit pitch that are
smaller than the diameter of the light beam, and to manufacture an
optical recording medium master copy 1 having the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2.
[0124] The pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 formed in the
foregoing manner are smaller than the guiding grooves and prepits
formed by the method disclosed in publication 1. Therefore, by
using the methods of the present embodiment, i.e. the method of
forming a micropattern and the method of manufacturing an optical
recording medium master copy, it is possible to form guiding
grooves and prepits having such track pitch and pit pitch that are
smaller than before, and to manufacture an optical recording medium
master copy having the guiding grooves and prepits.
[0125] Moreover, it is possible in this case to form small guiding
grooves and prepits by a currently available and relatively
inexpensive laser recording device (see, for example, FIG. 5) using
a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm or a light source of 350 nm to
450 nm, without requiring an expensive device such as the device
used in carrying out the electron beam method disclosed in
publication 2.
[0126] By using the methods of the present embodiment, i.e. the
method of forming a micropattern and the method of manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy, it is possible to form the
pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 in more uniform shapes than in
Example 1. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the jitter of
reproduced signals, thereby reducing the error rate of the
reproduced signals.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 6, if Ni electroforming is performed by
using the optical recording medium master copy 1 manufactured as
described above, an optical recording medium stamper 20 can be
manufactured by so-called transfer. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
7, by (1) using the optical recording medium stamper 20 to perform
injection molding of a resin material such as polycarbonate,
thereby obtaining an optical recording medium substrate 22, and (2)
forming a thin-film section 24 (including a recording layer and the
like) and, if necessary, a cover layer 25 and the like, on the
optical recording medium substrate 22, it is possible to
manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such guiding
grooves and prepits whose track pitch and pit pitch are smaller
than before. In FIG. 7, referential numeral 23 is an optical
recording medium mold.
[0128] Moreover, by employing a 2P (Photo-Polymer) method, it is
possible to manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such
guiding grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit
pitch that are smaller than before, by (1) manufacturing the
optical recording medium substrate 22 from the optical recording
medium master copy 1, and (2) forming a thin-film section 24
(including a recording layer and the like) and, if necessary, a
cover layer 25 and the like, on the optical recording medium
substrate 22. The optical recording medium substrate 22 is
manufactured by the 2P method as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
26(a), radiation curing resin 201 is applied onto the optical
recording medium master copy 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(b), a
substrate 202 is pressed against the radiation curing resin 201. In
this way, the patterns on the optical recording medium master copy
1 are transferred to the radiation curing resin 201. After that,
the radiation curing resin 201 is cured by radiation, so that the
radiation curing resin 201 adheres to the substrate 202. Then, as
shown in FIG. 26(c), the radiation curing resin 201 is separated
from the optical recording medium master copy 1. As a result, the
optical recording medium substrate 22 is obtained.
Embodiment 3
[0129] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 15 through 17, the
following describes a method of forming a micropattern and a method
of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy that are
yet another embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of
explanation, members whose functions are identical to those of the
members in Embodiment 1 are labeled with identical referential
numerals, and explanations of such members are omitted.
[0130] FIG. 1 is a flowchart explaining the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy.
FIG. 15(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
optical recording medium master copy 3a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that an intermediate layer
(depressed part inducing layer) 12, a heat-absorbing layer 13, and
a metal layer 14 have been laminated in this order on a resin
substrate (resin layer) 11 as a result of the film-forming step of
FIG. 1. FIG. 15(b) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating
an optical recording medium master copy 3, in which pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 have been formed in the resin substrate 11
as a result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 1.
[0131] First, in the film-forming step S1, the intermediate layer
12 is formed on the resin substrate 11, and the heat-absorbing
layer 13 is formed on the intermediate layer 12. In addition, in
the present embodiment, the metal layer 14 is formed on the
heat-absorbing layer 13. As a result, an optical recording medium
master copy 3a is obtained.
[0132] The material of the metal layer 14 is not particularly
limited, as long as the material is metal. However, it is
preferable if the metal layer 14 is a high-reflectance metal film.
Specifically, examples of the high-reflectance metal film are Al
film, Au film, Ag film, and alloy film of these materials. The
thickness of the metal layer 14 may be adjusted to a desired
thickness, with no particular limitation. For example, the
thickness of the metal layer 14 is on the order of 10 nm to 100
nm.
[0133] Next, in the recording step S2, the recording beam, which
has been emitted from a light source and intensity-modulated by
recording signals, is focused at least on the heat-absorbing layer
13 of the optical recording medium master copy 3a. The recording
beam is focused through an object lens, while the optical recording
medium master copy 3a is rotating. Unlike Embodiments 1 and 2, the
recording beam needs to be radiated from the side of the resin
substrate 11. If the recording beam is radiated from the side of
the metal layer 14, the metal layer 14 reflects the recording beam,
thereby preventing it from reaching the heat-absorbing layer 13. As
a result, no heat is generated. The focused recording beam has a
focal depth (generally represented by .lamda./(NA.times.NA); for
example, the focal depth is about 1 .mu.m if .lamda.=408 nm,
NA=0.65, and is about 300 nm if .lamda.=257 nm, NA=0.9). Therefore,
if a part of the heat-absorbing layer 13 is within the focal depth,
the recording beam is focused on the heat-absorbing layer 13.
[0134] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the intermediate layer
12, the heat-absorbing layer 13, and the metal layer 14 of the
optical recording medium master copy 3a are peeled off the resin
substrate 11. The method of peeling is not particularly limited, as
long as the intermediate layer 12, the heat-absorbing layer 13, and
the metal layer 14 can be peeled off completely. For example, it is
possible to peel off the intermediate layer 12, the heat-absorbing
layer 13, and the metal layer 14 by soaking them in a solution to
which the resin substrate 11 is insoluble but the intermediate
layer 12, the heat-absorbing layer 13, and the metal layer 14 are
soluble. Examples of such a solution are NaOH or the like alkaline
solution and HNO.sub.3, H.sub.2SO.sub.4, or the like acid solution.
It is not necessary to peel off all of the intermediate layer 12,
the heat-absorbing layer 13, and the metal layer 14. If the
intermediate layer 12 (which is adjacent to the resin substrate 11)
is peeled off the resin substrate 11, the heat-absorbing layer 13
and the metal layer 14 (that are provided on the intermediate layer
12) are simultaneously peeled off. Therefore, it is sufficient if
the intermediate layer 12 is peeled off. When the intermediate
layer 12, the heat-absorbing layer 13, and the metal layer 14 are
peeled off, the surface of the resin substrate 11 is exposed. As a
result, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 formed in the resin
substrate 11 in the previous recording step are exposed.
[0135] In this way, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 are formed in the resin substrate 11. As a
result, an optical recording medium master copy 3 is obtained.
[0136] In Example 2, there are cases where those parts of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 irradiated by the recording beam explode.
This deteriorates the uniformity of the shapes of the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2.
[0137] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the metal
layer 14 is formed on the heat-absorbing layer 13 in the
film-forming step S1. The metal layer 14 blocks the explosive force
of the heat-absorbing layer 13, thereby preventing explosion.
Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are formed in
more uniform shapes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the jitter
of reproduced signals, thereby reducing the error rate of the
reproduced signals.
[0138] In the present embodiment, the width and depth of the
guiding grooves and the size (width) and depth of the prepits in
the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 can be optimized by
adjusting the rotation number of the optical recording medium
master copy 3a and the power of the recording beam in the recording
step S2. The size and depth of the prepits can be adjusted also by
adjusting the duty of the recording signals.
[0139] Described below is an example of the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master
copy.
Example 4
[0140] First, in the film-forming step S1, a ZnO film (depressed
part inducing layer; intermediate layer 12; thickness: on the order
of 100 nm), an Si film (heat-absorbing layer 13; thickness: on the
order of 30 nm), and an Al film (metal layer 14; thickness: on the
order of 20 nm) are formed in this order on a polyolefin resin
substrate (resin substrate 11; thickness: on the order of 0.5 mm)
by magnetron sputtering.
[0141] In the recording step S2 of the present example, a laser
recording device of low eccentricity accuracy is used. In view of
the circumstance, recording is carried out while performing
tracking servo. Therefore, the resin substrate 11 has a guiding
groove part (track pitch: 0.8 .mu.m; groove width: about 0.4 .mu.m;
groove depth: about 80 nm), and the guiding groove part is used in
performing the tracking servo. In the present example, information
is recorded on lands (protrusions in the guiding groove part).
[0142] Next, in the recording step S2, recording is carried out by
focusing the recording beam (wavelength: 408 nm), which has been
intensity-modulated by the recording signals, on the Si film
(heat-absorbing layer 13) and/or the Al film (metal layer 14) of
the optical recording medium master copy 3a. The recording beam is
focused through an object lens (numerical aperture NA: 0.65), while
the optical recording medium master copy 3a is rotating at a linear
velocity of 1.8 m/s. The recording beam is radiated from the side
of the resin substrate 11.
[0143] The diameter of the light beam spot of the focused recording
beam is approximately 500 nm, according to the formula
0.8.lamda./NA. In the recording, two kinds of rectangular waves are
used as recording signals. One has a frequency of 2.25 MHz (linear
velocity: 1.8 m/s; pit pitch: 0.8 .mu.m), and the other has a
frequency of 9.00 MHz (linear velocity: 1.8 m/s; pit pitch: 0.2
.mu.m). The duty of the rectangular waves is 35%. The beam power
intensity of the recording beam is 0 mW when the rectangular waves
are low, 8.8 mW (at the frequency of 2.25 MHz) or 10.2 mW (at the
frequency of 9.00 MHz) when the rectangular waves are high.
[0144] Next, in the film-peeling step S3, the optical recording
medium master copy 3a (recorded) is soaked in an HNO.sub.3 solution
(concentration: about 15%) for about one hour. In this way, the ZnO
film (intermediate layer 12), the Si film (heat-absorbing layer
13), and the Al film (metal layer 14) dissolve in the HNO.sub.3
solution, and are peeled off the resin substrate 11. As a result,
recording marks (pits) respectively corresponding to the recording
signals are formed on the lands. After that, the resin substrate 11
is cleaned with purified water, and baked at 95.degree. C. for
about one hour. Thus, an optical recording medium master copy 3 is
formed.
[0145] Thus, two kinds of pits are formed on the optical recording
medium master copy 3. FIG. 16 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a
part where the pits are formed at a pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m, as in
Example 3. In FIG. 16, the black circular marks are the pits, and
the black and gray stripes are a groove and a land, which are
formed in advance. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along
the solid line x-y on the plan view of FIG. 16.
[0146] In the present embodiment, the pits are formed on the lands.
However, the pits may be formed on grooves (depressions in the
guiding groove part) or planes (outside the guiding groove part).
The record pattern may have a groove-like shape.
[0147] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, at the pit pitch of 0.2 .mu.m,
the pits having a pit length of about 110 nm and a pit depth of
about 60 nm are formed more uniformly. In the recording step S2,
the Al film (metal layer 14) prevents the explosion of the Si film
(heat-absorbing layer 13) by constraining the Si film. As a result,
the shapes of the pits are more uniform than those in Example
3.
[0148] As described above, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible, as in Embodiments 1 and 2, to form guiding grooves and
prepits having such track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller than
before, and to manufacture an optical recording medium master copy
having the guiding grooves and prepits.
[0149] Moreover, as in Embodiments 1 and 2, it is possible to form
small guiding grooves and prepits by a currently available and
relatively inexpensive laser recording device (see, for example,
FIG. 5) using a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm or a light source
of 350 nm to 450 nm, without requiring an expensive device such as
the device used in carrying out the electron beam method disclosed
in publication 2.
[0150] By using the methods of the present embodiment, i.e. the
method of forming a micropattern and the method of manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy, it is possible to form the
pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 in more uniform shapes than in
Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the jitter of
reproduced signals, thereby reducing the error rate of the
reproduced signals.
[0151] As in Embodiments 1 and 2, if Ni electroforming is performed
by using the optical recording medium master copy 3 manufactured as
described above, an optical recording medium stamper can be
manufactured by so-called transfer. Furthermore, by (1) using the
optical recording medium stamper to produce an optical recording
medium substrate, and (2) forming a thin-film section (including a
recording layer and the like) on the optical recording medium
substrate, it is possible to manufacture an optical recording
medium that has such guiding grooves and prepits whose track pitch
and pit pitch are smaller than before, and that attains a smaller
error rate of reproduced signals.
[0152] Moreover, by employing a 2P (Photo-Polymer) method, it is
possible to manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such
guiding grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit
pitch that are smaller than before, by (1) manufacturing the
optical recording medium substrate 22 from the optical recording
medium master copy 3, and (2) forming a thin-film section 24
(including a recording layer and the like) and, if necessary, a
cover layer 25 and the like, on the optical recording medium
substrate 22. The optical recording medium substrate 22 is
manufactured by the 2P method as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
26(a), radiation curing resin 201 is applied onto the optical
recording medium master copy 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(b), a
substrate 202 is pressed against the radiation curing resin 201. In
this way, the patterns on the optical recording medium master copy
3 are transferred to the radiation curing resin 201. After that,
the radiation curing resin 201 is cured by radiation, so that the
radiation curing resin 201 adheres to the substrate 202. Then, as
shown in FIG. 26(c), the radiation curing resin 201 is separated
from the optical recording medium master copy 3. As a result, the
optical recording medium substrate 22 is obtained.
Embodiment 4
[0153] With reference to FIGS. 18 through 21, the following
describes a method of forming a micropattern and a method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy that are
still another embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose
of explanation, members whose functions are identical to those of
the members in Embodiment 1 are labeled with identical referential
numerals, and explanations of such members are omitted.
[0154] FIG. 18 is a flowchart explaining the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy.
FIG. 19(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
optical recording medium master copy 52a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that a resin layer 53 and a
depressed part inducing layer 62 have been laminated in this order
on a glass master copy (master copy substrate; substrate) 15 as a
result of the film-forming step of FIG. 18. FIG. 19(b) is a partial
cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording medium
master copy 52b, in which pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 have
been formed in the resin layer 53 on the glass master copy 15 as a
result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 18. FIG. 19(c) is a partial
cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording medium
master copy 52c, in which the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
have been formed to such an extent as to reach the glass master
copy 15 as a result of the etching step of FIG. 18. FIG. 19(d) is a
partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording
medium master copy 52, in which the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 have been formed on the glass master copy 15 as a result
of the resin layer peeling step of FIG. 18.
[0155] First, in the film-forming step S11, the resin layer 53 is
formed on the glass master copy 15, and the depressed part inducing
layer 62 is formed on the resin layer 53. In this way, a lamination
is formed on the glass master copy 15. As a result, an optical
recording medium master copy 52a is obtained.
[0156] It is preferable if the surface of the glass master copy 15
is flat. Instead of glass, diamond or sapphire can be used.
However, glass is preferable in terms of cost and
processability.
[0157] If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
depressed part inducing layer 62 in the recording step, the optical
characteristic of the material of the glass master copy 15 is not
particularly limited. Therefore, the material of the glass master
copy 15 may be transparent or non-transparent. On the other hand,
if the recording beam is radiated from the side of the glass master
copy 15 in the recording step, it is preferable, from the viewpoint
of light utilization efficiency, if the optical characteristic of
the material of the glass substrate 15 is transparent at the
wavelength of the recording beam, so as not to prevent the
incidence of the recording beam.
[0158] If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
depressed part inducing layer 62 in the recording step, the
thickness of the glass master copy 15 needs to be such a thickness
(e.g. not less than 0.5 mm) as to maintain the flatness of the
glass master copy 15 while the glass master copy 15 is rotating
during recording in the recording step. On the other hand, if the
recording beam is radiated from the side of the glass master copy
15 in the recording step, the thickness of the glass master copy 15
needs to be such a thickness that allows for focusing the recording
beam at least on the depressed part inducing layer 62 during
recording, in addition to the foregoing limitation. For example,
the larger the numerical aperture NA of the laser recording device
is, the thinner the glass master copy 15 needs to be.
[0159] On the inner surface (the surface closer to the resin layer
53) of the glass master copy 15, (i) pits corresponding to
information to be recorded and/or (ii) guiding grooves may be
formed in advance.
[0160] Like the resin substrate 61 of Embodiment 1, the optical
characteristic of the material of the resin layer 53 may be
transparent or non-transparent, with no particular limitation.
[0161] Like the resin substrate 61 of Embodiment 1, the material of
the resin layer 53 is not particularly limited, but it is
preferable if an organic compound is used. Examples of the organic
compound are (i) thermoplastic transparent resin (plastic) such as
polyolefin resin, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyimide, PET
(polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethernitrile), and PES
(polyethersulfone); (ii) thermosetting transparent resin such as
thermosetting polyimide and ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin; and
(iii) a combination of these compounds.
[0162] In Embodiment 1, the resin substrate 61 needs to have
appropriate strength, because the resin substrate 61 does not have
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the material of the resin
substrate (resin layer) 61 needs to be chosen so as to attain
appropriate strength. However, in the present embodiment, the
material of the resin layer 53 is not limited in terms of strength,
because the glass master copy 15 is provided. Therefore, the
material of the resin layer 53 may be photoresist or the like,
preferably photoresist or polyolefin resin. Note that the
"photoresist" referred to here is a kind of resin.
[0163] If the glass master copy 15 is not provided, the thickness
of the resin layer 53 needs to be such a thickness as to attain
strength. However, such a limitation is not placed in the present
embodiment. Therefore, an appropriate thickness of the resin layer
53 is, for example, 0.02 .mu.m to 3.0 .mu.m, considering the
necessity of transferring the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
(which are formed in the resin layer 53) to the glass master copy
15 in the later dry etching step.
[0164] Next, in the recording step S12, the recording beam, which
has been emitted from a light source and intensity-modulated by
recording signals, is focused at least on the depressed part
inducing layer 62 of the optical recording medium master copy 52a.
The recording beam is focused through an object lens, while the
optical recording medium master copy 52a is rotating. At this time,
heat is generated in those parts of the depressed part inducing
layer 62 irradiated by the recording beam. As a result, latent
images respectively corresponding to the recording signals are
formed on the resin layer 53. The focused recording beam has a
focal depth (generally represented by .lamda./(NA.times.NA); for
example, the focal depth is about 1 .mu.m if .lamda.=408 nm,
NA=0.65, and is about 300 nm if .lamda.=257 nm, NA=0.9). Therefore,
if a part of the depressed part inducing layer 62 is within the
focal depth, the recording beam is focused on the depressed part
inducing layer 62.
[0165] The recording beam may be radiated from the side of the
glass master copy 15, or from the side of the depressed part
inducing layer 62.
[0166] Next, in the film-peeling step S13, the depressed part
inducing layer 62 is peeled off the glass master copy 15 and the
resin layer 53. The method of peeling is not particularly limited,
as long as the depressed part inducing layer 62 can be peeled off
selectively and completely. For example, it is possible to peel off
the depressed part inducing layer 62 by soaking it in a solution to
which the glass master copy 15 and the resin layer 53 are insoluble
but the depressed part inducing layer 62 is soluble. Examples of
such a solution are NaOH or the like alkaline solution and
HNO.sub.3, H.sub.2SO.sub.4, or the like acid solution. When the
depressed part inducing layer 62 is peeled off, the surface of the
resin layer 53 is exposed. As a result, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2 formed in the previous recording step in the
resin layer 53 are exposed. Thus obtained is the optical recording
medium master copy 52b, in which the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves (micropatterns) 2 have been formed in the resin layer 53 on
the glass master copy 15.
[0167] In the present embodiment, the etching step S14 is performed
immediately after of the film-peeling step S13. However, the
optical recording medium master copy 52b, which is obtained as a
result of the film-peeling step S13, may be used as the optical
recording medium master copy as in Embodiment 1. In this case,
because the glass master copy 15 is provided under the resin layer
53, the optical recording medium master copy 52a can rotate during
recording more stably without wobbling than in the case of the
resin substrate 61. As a result, it is possible to form pit parts
and/or guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2 that are more uniform than
those of Embodiment 1.
[0168] In the etching step S14, etching is performed on the optical
recording medium master copy 52b. In this way, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2 formed in the resin layer 53 is transferred to
the glass master copy 15. The etching is preferably performed only
in the depth direction, so as to maintain the size of the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2. Therefore, it is preferable if the
etching is anisotropic dry etching. The condition of etching in
this step determines the depth of the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 in the optical recording medium master copy 52c or the
optical recording medium master copy 52. Therefore, the etching is
performed under a condition that corresponds to a desired
depth.
[0169] In this way, the optical recording medium master copy 52c,
in which the pit parts and/or guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2
have been formed on the glass master copy 15, is obtained. In the
present embodiment, the resin layer 53 is not completely removed in
the etching step S14, and the resin layer peeling step S15 is
performed subsequently. However, the resin layer 53 may be
completely removed in the etching step S4. In this case, the
optical recording medium master copy from which the resin layer 53
has been completely removed is used as the optical recording medium
master copy as in Embodiment 1. Alternatively, the optical
recording medium master copy 52c, which is still provided with the
resin layer 53, may be used as the optical recording medium master
copy as in Embodiment 1. In either case, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2 are formed in the glass master copy 15.
Therefore, it is possible to form such micropatterns that are
highly stable even if environmental conditions such as temperature
and moisture change.
[0170] In the resin layer peeling step S15, the resin layer 53 that
remains on the glass master copy 15 is peeled off after the etching
step S14. The resin layer 53 may be peeled off by any method, as
long as only the resin layer 53 is removed selectively. For
example, the resin layer 53 can be peeled off by soaking it in a
solution to which the glass master copy 15 is insoluble but the
resin layer 53 is soluble. Examples of such a solution are NaOH or
the like alkaline solution and acetone or the like organic
solution. In this way, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves
(micropatterns) 2 are formed on the glass master copy 15. As a
result, an optical recording medium master copy 52 is obtained.
[0171] If the resin layer peeling step is thus performed, the
number of steps is larger than in the case where (i) the resin
layer 53 is completely peeled off in the etching step or (ii)
processing is terminated without completely removing the resin
layer 53. However, it is possible to preserve inherent flatness of
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves (micropatterns) 2 can be formed more flatly. On the other
hand, if the resin layer 53 is peeled off in the etching step, the
surface of the glass master copy 15 is damaged by etching. As a
result, the inherent flatness of the glass master copy 15 is
ruined.
[0172] Described below is an example of the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master
copy.
Example 5
[0173] First, in the film-forming step S11, a photoresist film
(resin layer 53; thickness: on the order of 40 nm) is applied by
spin coating on a glass master copy 15 (thickness: on the order of
1.2 mm). Then, a ZnO film (depressed part inducing layer 62;
thickness: on the order of 30 nm) is formed by magnetron
sputtering. In this way, an optical recording medium master copy
(lamination) 52a is formed.
[0174] Next, in the recording step S12, recording is carried out by
focusing the recording beam (wavelength: 257 nm), which has been
intensity-modulated by the recording signals, on the ZnO film
(depressed part inducing layer 62) of the optical recording medium
master copy 52a. The recording beam is focused through an object
lens (numerical aperture NA: 0.9), while the optical recording
medium master copy 52a is rotating at a linear velocity of 1.0 m/s.
The recording beam is radiated from the side of the depressed part
inducing layer 62.
[0175] The diameter of the light beam spot of the focused recording
beam is approximately 230 nm, according to the formula
0.8.lamda./NA. In order to record information, a rectangular wave
having a frequency of 3.57 MHz (linear velocity: 1.0 m/s; pit
pitch: 0.28 .mu.m) is used as recording signals. The duty of the
rectangular wave is 35%. On the optical recording medium master
copy 52a, the beam power intensity of the recording beam is 0 mW
when the rectangular wave is low, and 1.6 mW when the rectangular
wave is high.
[0176] Next, in the film-peeling step S13, the optical recording
medium master copy 52a is soaked in an HNO.sub.3 solution
(concentration: about 15%) for about two minutes. In this way, the
ZnO film (depressed part inducing layer 62) dissolves in the
HNO.sub.3 solution, and is peeled off the photoresist (resin layer
53). As a result, recording marks (pits; micropatterns)
respectively corresponding to the recording signals are formed on
the resin layer 53 on the glass master copy 15. As a result, an
optical recording medium master copy 52b is obtained. After that,
the optical recording medium master copy 52b is cleaned with
purified water, and baked at 95.degree. C. for about ten minutes.
Thus, an optical recording medium master copy 52c is formed.
[0177] In the present example, the etching step S14 and the resin
layer peeling step S15 are not performed.
[0178] FIG. 20 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a part of the
optical recording medium master copy 52c where the pits are formed.
In the part shown in FIG. 20, the pits are formed at a pit pitch of
0.28 .mu.m. In FIG. 20, the black circular marks are the pits. FIG.
21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line x-y on the
plan view of FIG. 21.
[0179] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, at the pit pitch of 0.28 .mu.m,
the pits having a pit length of about 160 nm and a pit depth of
about 30 nm are formed almost uniformly.
[0180] As described above, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible, as in Embodiments 1 through 3, to form guiding grooves
and prepits having such track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller
than before, and to manufacture an optical recording medium master
copy having the guiding grooves and prepits.
[0181] Moreover, as in Embodiments 1 through 3, it is possible to
form small guiding grooves and prepits by a currently available and
relatively inexpensive laser recording device (see, for example,
FIG. 5) using a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm, without requiring
an expensive device such as the device used in carrying out the
electron beam method disclosed in publication 2.
[0182] Furthermore, by using the methods of the present embodiment,
i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, the optical
recording medium master copy 52a can rotate stably without wobbling
in the recording step, because the resin layer 53a is provided on
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 can be formed more uniformly than in the case where the
resin substrate 61 is used. As a result, it is possible to reduce
the error rate of reproduced signals.
[0183] Moreover, because the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
formed in the resin layer 53 are transferred to the glass master
copy 15 by etching, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are more
stable than those formed in the resin substrate 61.
[0184] In addition, because the resin layer peeling step is
performed separately instead of completely removing the resin layer
53 in the etching step, it is possible to preserve the inherent
flatness of the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 can be formed more flatly. Furthermore,
because the depth of the glass master copy 15 at the time of
etching is the depth of the depressed part, there is also an
advantage that the depth of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
can be set freely.
[0185] As in Embodiment 1, if Ni electroforming is performed by
using the optical recording medium master copy 52b, 52c, or 52
manufactured as described above, an optical recording medium
stamper can be manufactured by so-called transfer. Furthermore, by
(1) using the optical recording medium stamper to produce an
optical recording medium substrate, and (2) forming a thin-film
section (including a recording layer and the like) on the optical
recording medium substrate, it is possible to manufacture an
optical recording medium that has such guiding grooves and prepits
whose track pitch and pit pitch are smaller than before, and that
attains a smaller error rate of reproduced signals.
[0186] Moreover, by employing a 2P (Photo-Polymer) method, it is
possible to manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such
guiding grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit
pitch that are smaller than before, by (1) manufacturing the
optical recording medium substrate 22 from the optical recording
medium master copy 52, 52b, or 52c, and (2) forming a thin-film
section 24 (including a recording layer and the like) and, if
necessary, a cover layer 25 and the like, on the optical recording
medium substrate 22. The optical recording medium substrate 22 is
manufactured by the 2P method as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
26(a), radiation curing resin 201 is applied onto the optical
recording medium master copy 52, 52b, or 52c. Then, as shown in
FIG. 26(b), a substrate 202 is pressed against the radiation curing
resin 201. In this way, the patterns on the optical recording
medium master copy 52, 52b, or 52c are transferred to the radiation
curing resin 201. After that, the radiation curing resin 201 is
cured by radiation, so that the radiation curing resin 201 adheres
to the substrate 202. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(c), the radiation
curing resin 201 is separated from the optical recording medium
master copy 52, 52b, or 52c. As a result, the optical recording
medium substrate 22 is obtained.
Embodiment 5
[0187] With reference to FIG. 18 and FIGS. 22 through 25, the
following describes a method of forming a micropattern and a method
of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy that are
further embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of
explanation, members whose functions are identical to those of the
members in Embodiments 2 and 3 are labeled with identical
referential numerals, and explanations of such members are
omitted.
[0188] FIG. 18 is a flowchart explaining the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy.
FIG. 22(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
optical recording medium master copy 4a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that a resin layer 30, an
intermediate layer (depressed part inducing layer) 12, and a
heat-absorbing layer 13 have been laminated in this order on a
glass master copy (master copy substrate; substrate) 15 as a result
of the film-forming step of FIG. 18. FIG. 22(b) is a partial
cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording medium
master copy 4b, in which pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 have
been formed in the resin layer 30 on the glass master copy 15 as a
result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 18. FIG. 22(c) is a partial
cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording medium
master copy 4c, in which the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
have been formed to such an extent as to reach the glass master
copy 15 as a result of the etching step of FIG. 18. FIG. 22(d) is a
partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical recording
medium master copy 4, in which the pit parts and/or guiding grooves
2 have been formed on the glass master copy 15 as a result of the
resin layer peeling step of FIG. 18.
[0189] First, in the film-forming step S11, the resin layer 30 is
formed on the glass master copy 15, and the intermediate layer 12
is formed on the resin layer 30. In this way, a lamination is
formed on the glass master copy 15. As a result, an optical
recording medium master copy 4a is obtained.
[0190] It is preferable if the surface of the glass master copy 15
is flat. Instead of glass, diamond or sapphire can be used.
However, glass is preferable in terms of cost and
processability.
[0191] If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 in the recording step, the optical
characteristic of the material of the glass master copy 15 is not
particularly limited. Therefore, the material of the glass master
copy 15 may be transparent or non-transparent. On the other hand,
if the recording beam is radiated from the side of the glass master
copy 15 in the recording step, it is preferable, from the viewpoint
of light utilization efficiency, if the optical characteristic of
the material of the glass substrate 15 is transparent at the
wavelength of the recording beam, so as not to prevent the
incidence of the recording beam.
[0192] If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 in the recording step, the thickness of the
glass master copy 15 needs to be such a thickness (e.g. not less
than 0.5 mm) as to maintain the flatness of the glass master copy
15 while the glass master copy 15 is rotating during recording in
the recording step. On the other hand, if the recording beam is
radiated from the side of the glass master copy 15 in the recording
step, the thickness of the glass master copy 15 needs to be such a
thickness that allows for focusing the recording beam at least on
the heat-absorbing layer 13 during recording, in addition to the
foregoing limitation. For example, the larger the numerical
aperture NA of the laser recording device is, the thinner the glass
master copy 15 needs to be.
[0193] On the inner surface (the surface closer to the resin layer
30) of the glass master copy 15, (i) pits corresponding to
information to be recorded and/or (ii) guiding grooves may be
formed in advance.
[0194] Like the resin substrate 11 of Embodiments 2 and 3, the
optical characteristics of the material of the resin layer 30 may
be transparent or non-transparent, with no particular limitation.
However, if the recording beam is radiated from the side of the
heat-absorbing layer 13 in the recording step, it is preferable,
from the viewpoint of light utilization efficiency, if the optical
characteristic of the material of the resin layer 30 is transparent
at the wavelength of the recording beam, so as not to prevent the
incidence of the recording beam, as in the case of the resin
substrate 11 of Embodiments 2 and 3.
[0195] Like the resin substrate 11 of Embodiments 2 and 3, the
material of the resin layer 30 is not particularly limited.
Examples of the material of the resin layer 30 are (i)
thermoplastic transparent resin (plastic) such as polyolefin resin,
polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyimide, PET (polyethylene
terephthalate), PEN (polyethernitrile), and PES (polyethersulfone);
(ii) thermosetting transparent resin such as thermosetting
polyimide and ultraviolet-curable acrylic resin; and (iii) a
combination of these compounds. Among these examples, polyolefin
resin is particularly preferable.
[0196] In Embodiments 2 and 3, the resin substrate 11 needs to have
such a thickness as to give appropriate strength to the
intermediate layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13, because the
resin substrate 11 does not have the glass master copy 15. However,
this is not necessary in the case of the resin layer 30. Therefore,
an appropriate thickness of the resin layer 30 is, for example,
0.02 .mu.m to 3.0 .mu.m, considering the necessity of transferring
the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 (which are formed in the
resin layer 30) to the glass master copy 15 in the later dry
etching step.
[0197] Next, in the recording step S12, the recording beam, which
has been emitted from a light source and intensity-modulated by
recording signals, is focused at least on the heat-absorbing layer
13 of the optical recording medium master copy 4a. The recording
beam is focused through an object lens, while the optical recording
medium master copy 4a is rotating. At this time, heat is generated
in those parts of the heat-absorbing layer 13 irradiated by the
recording beam. As a result, latent images respectively
corresponding to the recording signals are formed through the
intermediate layer 12 on the resin layer 30. The focused recording
beam has a focal depth (generally represented by
.lamda./(NA.times.NA); for example, the focal depth is about 1
.mu.m if .lamda.=408 nm, NA=0.65, and is about 300 nm if
.lamda.=257 nm, NA=0.9). Therefore, if a part of the heat-absorbing
layer 13 is within the focal depth, the recording beam is focused
on the heat-absorbing layer 13.
[0198] The recording beam may be radiated from the side of the
glass master copy 15, or from the side of the heat-absorbing layer
13. However, for the following reason, it is preferable if the
recording beam is radiated from the side of the glass master copy
15. If the recording beam is radiated from the side of the glass
master copy 15, the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer 13
is easily transmitted to the intermediate layer 12, and, because
the recording beam is transmitted through the intermediate layer
12, the intermediate layer 12 generates heat by absorbing the
recording beam. Therefore, radiating the recording beam from the
side of the glass master copy 15 is more advantageous than
radiating the recording beam from the side of the heat-absorbing
layer 13 in the following respects: (1) the shapes of the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 are more uniform after the film-peeling
step, and (2) recording can be carried out at lower power.
[0199] Next, in the film-peeling step S13, the intermediate layer
12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 are peeled off the glass master
copy 15 and the resin layer 30. The method of peeling is not
particularly limited, as long as the intermediate layer 12 and the
heat-absorbing layer 13 can be peeled off selectively and
completely. For example, it is possible to peel off the
intermediate layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 by soaking
them in a solution to which the glass master copy 15 and the resin
layer 30 are insoluble but the intermediate layer 12 and the
heat-absorbing layer 13 are soluble. Examples of such a solution
are NaOH or the like alkaline solution and HNO.sub.3,
H.sub.2SO.sub.4, or the like acid solution. Again, it is not
necessary to peel off both the intermediate layer 12 and the
heat-absorbing layer 13. If the intermediate layer 12 (which is
adjacent to the resin layer 30) is peeled off the resin layer 30,
the heat-absorbing layer 13 (which is provided on the intermediate
layer 12) is simultaneously peeled off. Therefore, it is sufficient
if the intermediate layer 12 is peeled off. When the intermediate
layer 12 and the heat-absorbing layer 13 are peeled off, the
surface of the resin layer 30 is exposed. As a result, the pit
parts and/or guiding grooves 2 formed in the resin layer 30 in the
previous recording step are exposed. Thus obtained is the optical
recording medium master copy 4b, in which the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2 have been formed in the resin
layer 30 on the glass master copy 15.
[0200] In the present embodiment, the etching step S14 is performed
immediately after the film-peeling step S13. However, the optical
recording medium master copy 4b, which is obtained as a result of
the film-peeling step S13, may be used as the optical recording
medium master copy as in Embodiments 2 and 3. In this case, because
the glass master copy 15 is provided under the resin layer 30, the
optical recording medium master copy 4a can rotate during recording
more stably without wobbling than in the case of the resin
substrate 11. As a result, it is possible to form pit parts and/or
guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2 that are more uniform than those
of Embodiments 2 and 3.
[0201] In the etching step S14, etching is performed on the optical
recording medium master copy 4b. In this way, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2 formed in the resin layer 30 are transferred to
the glass master copy 15. The etching is preferably performed only
in the depth direction, so as to maintain the size of the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2. Therefore, it is preferable if the
etching is anisotropic dry etching. The condition of etching in
this step determines the depth of the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 in the optical recording medium master copy 4c or the
optical recording medium master copy 4. Therefore, the etching is
performed under a condition that corresponds to a desired
depth.
[0202] In this way, the optical recording medium master copy 4c, in
which the pit parts and/or guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2 have
been formed on the glass master copy 15, is obtained. In the
present embodiment, the resin layer 30 is not completely removed in
the etching step S14, and the resin layer peeling step S15 is
performed subsequently. However, the resin layer 53 may be
completely removed in the etching step S14. In this case, the
optical recording medium master copy from which the resin layer 30
has been completely removed is used as the optical recording medium
master copy as in Embodiments 2 and 3. Alternatively, the optical
recording medium master copy 4c, which is still provided with the
resin layer 30, may be used as the optical recording medium master
copy as in Embodiment 1. In either case, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves 2 are formed in the glass master copy 15.
Therefore, it is possible to form such micropatterns that are
highly stable even if environmental conditions such as temperature
and moisture change.
[0203] In the resin layer peeling step S15, the resin layer 30 that
remains on the glass master copy 15 is peeled off after the etching
step S14. The resin layer 30 may be peeled off by any method, as
long as only the resin layer 30 is removed selectively. For
example, the resin layer 30 can be peeled off by soaking it in a
solution to which the glass master copy 15 is insoluble but the
resin layer 30 is soluble. An example of such a solution is acetone
or the like organic solution. In this way, the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves (micropatterns) 2 are formed on the glass master
copy 15. As a result, the optical recording medium master copy 4 is
obtained.
[0204] If the resin layer peeling step is thus performed, the
number of steps is larger than in the case where (i) the resin
layer 30 is completely peeled off in the etching step or (ii)
processing is terminated without completely removing the resin
layer 30. However, it is possible to preserve inherent flatness of
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves (micropatterns) 2 can be formed more flatly. On the other
hand, if the resin layer 30 is peeled off in the etching step, the
surface of the glass master copy 15 is damaged by etching. As a
result, the inherent flatness of the glass master copy 15 is
ruined.
[0205] As described above, by using the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, it
is possible, as in Embodiments 1 through 4, to form guiding grooves
and prepits having such track pitch and pit pitch that are smaller
than before, and to manufacture an optical recording medium master
copy having the guiding grooves and prepits.
[0206] Moreover, as in Embodiments 1 through 4, it is possible to
form small guiding grooves and prepits by a currently available and
relatively inexpensive laser recording device (see, for example,
FIG. 5) using a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm or a light source
of 350 nm to 450 nm, without requiring an expensive device such as
the device used in carrying out the electron beam method disclosed
in publication 2.
[0207] Furthermore, by using the methods of the present embodiment,
i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, the optical
recording medium master copy 4a can rotate stably without wobbling
in the recording step, because the resin layer 30 is provided on
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 can be formed more uniformly than in the case where the
resin substrate 11 is used. As a result, it is possible to reduce
the error rate of reproduced signals.
[0208] Moreover, because the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
formed in the resin layer 30 are transferred to the glass master
copy 15 by etching, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are more
stable than those formed in the resin substrate 11. Furthermore,
because the depth of the glass master copy 15 at the time of
etching is the depth of the depressed part, there is also an
advantage that the depth of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
can be set freely.
[0209] In addition, because the resin layer peeling step is
performed separately instead of completely removing the resin layer
30 in the etching step, it is possible to preserve the original
flatness of the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 can be formed more flatly.
[0210] The condition of etching in this step determines the depth
of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 in the optical recording
medium master copy 4. Therefore, the etching is performed under a
condition that corresponds to a desired depth.
[0211] Described below is an example of the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master
copy.
Example 6
[0212] First, in the film-forming step S11, a photoresist film
(resin layer 30; thickness: on the order of 40 nm) is applied by
spin coating on a glass master copy 15 (thickness: on the order of
1.2 mm). Then, a ZnO film (intermediate layer 12; thickness: on the
order of 30 nm) and an Si film (heat-absorbing layer 13; thickness:
on the order of 10 nm) are formed by magnetron sputtering. In this
way, an optical recording medium master copy (lamination) 4a is
formed.
[0213] Next, in the recording step S12, recording is carried out by
focusing the recording beam (wavelength: 257 nm), which has been
intensity-modulated by the recording signals, on the Si film
(heat-absorbing layer 13) of the optical recording medium master
copy 5a. The recording beam is focused through an object lens
(numerical aperture NA: 0.9), while the optical recording medium
master copy 5a is rotating at a linear velocity of 1.0 m/s. The
recording beam is radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing
layer 13.
[0214] The diameter of the light beam spot of the focused recording
beam is approximately 230 nm, according to the formula
0.8.lamda./NA. In order to record information, a rectangular wave
having a frequency of 6.25 MHz (linear velocity: 1.0 m/s; pit
pitch: 0.16 .mu.m) is used as recording signals. The duty of the
rectangular wave is 35%. On the optical recording medium master
copy 4a, the beam power intensity of the recording beam is 0 mW
when the rectangular wave is low, and 2.5 mW when the rectangular
wave is high.
[0215] Next, in the film-peeling step S13, the optical recording
medium master copy 4a is soaked in an HNO.sub.3 solution
(concentration: about 15%) for about five minutes. In this way, the
ZnO film (intermediate layer 12) dissolves in the HNO.sub.3
solution, and is peeled off the photoresist (resin layer 30). As a
result, recording marks (pits; micropatterns) respectively
corresponding to the recording signals are formed on the resin
layer 30 on the glass master copy 15. As a result, an optical
recording medium master copy 4b is obtained. After that, the
optical recording medium master copy 4b is cleaned with purified
water, and baked at 95.degree. C. for about ten minutes. Thus, an
optical recording medium master copy 4 is formed.
[0216] In the present example, the etching step S14 and the resin
layer peeling step S15 are not performed.
[0217] FIG. 23 is an AFM image (plan view) of such a part of the
optical recording medium master copy 4 where the pits are formed.
In the part shown in FIG. 23, the pits are formed at a pit pitch of
0.16 .mu.m. In FIG. 23, the black circular marks are the pits. FIG.
24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the solid line x-y on the
plan view of FIG. 23.
[0218] As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, at the pit pitch of 0.16 .mu.m,
the pits having a pit length of about 80 nm and a pit depth of
about 25 nm are formed almost uniformly.
[0219] As described above, according to the methods of the present
embodiment, i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the
method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy,
the heat-absorbing layer 13 is formed on the intermediate layer 12
in the film-forming step S1. Due to the presence of the
heat-absorbing layer 13, heat is generated more efficiently than in
Embodiment 4 upon radiation of the recording beam. Therefore, a
larger amount of heat is transmitted to the intermediate layer 12.
Therefore, the shapes of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are
more uniform.
[0220] Moreover, as in Embodiments 1 through 4, it is possible to
form small guiding grooves and prepits by a currently available and
relatively inexpensive laser recording device (see, for example,
FIG. 5) using a light source of 240 nm to 700 nm, without requiring
an expensive device such as the device used in carrying out the
electron beam method disclosed in publication 2.
[0221] Furthermore, by using the methods of the present embodiment,
i.e. the method of forming a micropattern and the method of
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy, the optical
recording medium master copy 4a can rotate stably without wobbling
in the recording step, because the resin layer 30 is provided on
the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 can be formed more uniformly than in the case where the
resin substrate 11 is provided. As a result, it is possible to
reduce the error rate of reproduced signals.
[0222] Moreover, because the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
formed in the resin layer 30 are transferred to the glass master
copy 15 by etching, the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2 are more
stable than those formed in the resin substrate 11.
[0223] In addition, because the resin layer peeling step is
performed separately instead of completely removing the resin layer
30 in the etching step, it is possible to preserve the inherent
flatness of the glass master copy 15. Therefore, the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 can be formed more flatly. Furthermore,
because the depth of the glass master copy 15 at the time of
etching is the depth of the depressed part, there is also an
advantage that the depth of the pit parts and/or guiding grooves 2
can be set freely.
[0224] Although the metal layer 14 is not formed in the present
embodiment, the metal layer 14 may be formed as in Embodiment 3
after the resin layer 30, the intermediate layer 12, and the
heat-absorbing layer 13 are formed in this order on the glass
master copy 15, as shown in FIGS. 25(a) through 25(b). With this
arrangement, the explosion of the heat-absorbing layer 13 is
prevented. Therefore, it is possible to form the pit parts and/or
guiding grooves in more uniform shapes on the glass master copy
15.
[0225] FIG. 25(a) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
optical recording medium master copy 5a, which is in the course of
manufacture and in such a state that the resin layer 30, the
intermediate layer 13, and the metal layer 14 have been laminated
in this order on a glass master copy (master copy substrate;
substrate) 15 as a result of the film-forming step of FIG. 18. FIG.
25(b) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an optical
recording medium master copy 5b, in which pit parts and/or guiding
grooves 2 have been formed in the resin layer 30 on the glass
master copy 15 as a result of the film-peeling step of FIG. 18.
FIG. 25(c) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an
optical recording medium master copy 5c, in which the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 have been formed to such an extent as to
reach the glass master copy 15 as a result of the etching step of
FIG. 18. FIG. 25(d) is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating
an optical recording medium master copy 5, in which the pit parts
and/or guiding grooves 2 have been formed on the glass master copy
15 as a result of the resin layer peeling step of FIG. 18.
[0226] Because the metal layer 14 is provided, the solution used in
the peeling step S13 is such a solution (1) to which the glass
master copy 15 and the resin layer 30 are insoluble, and (2) that
can peel off the intermediate layer 12, the heat-absorbing layer
13, and the metal layer 14 selectively and completely (again, it is
not necessary to dissolve all of the intermediate layer 12, the
heat-absorbing layer 13, and the metal layer 14; it is sufficient
if the intermediate layer 12 can be peeled off the resin layer 30,
because the heat-absorbing layer 13 and the metal layer 14, which
are provided on the intermediate layer 12, are peeled of
simultaneously when the intermediate layer 12 is peeled off the
resin layer 13). Other than this point, the foregoing explanation
made with reference to FIGS. 22(a) through 22(d) also applies to
this case. Further explanation is therefore omitted.
[0227] As in Embodiment 1, if Ni electroforming is performed by
using the optical recording medium master copy 5b, 5c, or 5
manufactured as described above, an optical recording medium
stamper can be manufactured by so-called transfer. Furthermore, by
(1) using the optical recording medium stamper to produce an
optical recording medium substrate, and (2) forming a thin-film
section (including a recording layer and the like) on the optical
recording medium substrate, it is possible to manufacture an
optical recording medium that has such guiding grooves and prepits
whose track pitch and pit pitch are smaller than before, and that
attains a smaller error rate of reproduced signals.
[0228] Moreover, by employing a 2P (Photo-Polymer) method, it is
possible to manufacture an optical recording medium 26 having such
guiding grooves and prepits that have such track pitch and pit
pitch that are smaller than before, by (1) manufacturing the
optical recording medium substrate 22 from the optical recording
medium master copy 5, 5b, or 5c, and (2) forming a thin-film
section 24 (including a recording layer and the like) and, if
necessary, a cover layer 25 and the like, on the optical recording
medium substrate 22. The optical recording medium substrate 22 is
manufactured by the 2P method as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
26(a), radiation curing resin 201 is applied onto the optical
recording medium master copy 5, 5b, or 5c. Then, as shown in FIG.
26(b), a substrate 202 is pressed against the radiation curing
resin 201. In this way, the patterns on the optical recording
medium master copy 5, 52, or 5c are transferred to the radiation
curing resin 201. After that, the radiation curing resin 201 is
cured by radiation, so that the radiation curing resin 201 adheres
to the substrate 202. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(c), the radiation
curing resin 201 is separated from the optical recording medium
master copy 5, 5b, or 5c. As a result, the optical recording medium
substrate 22 is obtained.
[0229] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
Embodiments; various modifications may be made within the scope of
the claims. For example, the method of forming a micropattern and
the method of manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy
are applicable not only to the case where the optical recording
medium is an optical disk, but also to the case where the optical
recording medium has a shape of a card or a sheet. Likewise,
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy is not the
only use of the method of manufacturing a micropattern. The method
of manufacturing a micropattern is applicable to various
technologies, such as a semiconductor element manufacturing mask,
as long as the technologies involve microfabrication using exposure
by a light beam.
[0230] Finally, the following discusses the mechanism by which a
depressed part is formed in the resin layer when a lamination is
formed by laminating at least (i) a resin layer and (ii) a
depressed part inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material
or metal oxide, and then a light beam is radiated and focused onto
at least the depressed part inducing layer of the lamination.
[0231] As mentioned earlier, the mechanism is not known in detail.
Initially, the inventors of the present invention found that, by
laminating (i) a resin layer, (ii) an intermediate layer made of
dielectric material or metal oxide, and (iii) a heat-absorbing
layer that generates heat when irradiated by a light beam, in this
order to form a lamination, and radiating and focusing a light beam
on the heat-absorbing layer of the lamination, a depressed part is
formed in the resin layer. The inventors of the present invention
supposed that the depressed part is formed by the following
mechanism. When the light beam is radiated onto the lamination
(which includes the resin layer, the intermediate layer, and the
heat-absorbing layer), heat is generated in (i) the heat-absorbing
layer and (ii) the layer made of dielectric material or metal oxide
(intermediate layer). The heat is then transmitted to the resin
layer. This softens the resin layer, because the temperature of the
resin layer exceeds the glass transition temperature of the resin
layer. In addition, due to the heat, water and air in the resin
layer come out, or O.sub.2 is generated from the ZnO film
(intermediate layer). The water and air, or the O.sub.2 push the
softened resin aside. As a result, the depressed part is
formed.
[0232] However, as a result of further diligent study, it was found
that the heat-absorbing layer is not always necessary. Therefore,
the inventors of the present invention supposed that the depressed
part is formed by the following mechanism. When a light beam is
radiated onto a lamination including (i) a resin layer and (ii) a
depressed part inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material
or metal oxide, heat is generated in the layer made of dielectric
material or metal oxide (depressed part inducing layer). The heat
is then transmitted to the resin layer. This softens the resin
layer, because the temperature of the resin layer exceeds the glass
transition temperature of the resin layer. In addition, due to the
heat, water and air in the resin layer come out, or O.sub.2 is
generated from the ZnO film (depressed part inducing layer). The
water and air, or the O.sub.2 push the softened resin aside. As a
result, the depressed part is formed. It is supposed that heat is
associated with the formation of pits, because the pits are formed
more uniformly if the heat-absorbing layer is provided.
[0233] Signals can be reproduced even from the optical recording
medium master copy obtained as a result of the recording step, that
is, the optical recording medium master copy still provided with
the depressed part inducing layer. In addition, the resin layer is
stable, and the depressed part is exposed when the depressed part
inducing layer and the like are peeled off by using a solution to
which the depressed part inducing layer and the like are soluble.
From these facts, it is supposed that the depressed part is formed
in the resin layer when the recording beam is radiated, and
therefore, if the recording beam has been radiated onto a part of
the resin layer, the part of the resin layer already has a
depressed part.
[0234] The present invention is applicable to such uses as
manufacturing an optical recording medium master copy used for
manufacturing an optical recording medium (e.g. optical disk) in
which information can be recorded at high density.
[0235] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that the lamination is formed on a
substrate from the side of the resin layer.
[0236] According to this arrangement, micropatterns (depressed
parts) formed in the resin layer, i.e. micropatterns such as
guiding grooves and prepits whose track pitch and pit pitch are
smaller than the diameter of the light beam, are provided on the
substrate. Therefore, even if resin is not appropriate as a
material of the layer having the micropatterns, the micropatterns
can be formed in an appropriate material for an intended purpose.
For example, highly flat micropatterns can be formed if glass is
used as the material of the substrate.
[0237] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that the depressed part, which is formed
in the resin layer, is transferred to the substrate by etching.
[0238] According to this arrangement, micropatterns (depressed
parts) formed in the resin layer, i.e. micropatterns such as
guiding grooves and prepits whose track pitch and pit pitch are
smaller than the diameter of the light beam, are transferred to the
substrate by etching. Therefore, even if resin is not appropriate
as a material of the layer having the micropatterns, the
micropatterns can be formed in an appropriate material for an
intended purpose. For example, highly stable micropatterns can be
formed by using glass as the material of the substrate and
transferring micropatterns to the substrate.
[0239] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that the resin layer is not completely
removed in transferring the depressed part to the substrate by the
etching, and a remaining part of the resin layer is peeled off the
substrate after the etching is terminated.
[0240] According to this arrangement, the etching is terminated
without completely removing the resin layer. Therefore, the surface
of the substrate is not damaged by the etching. As a result, more
flat micropatterns can be formed. Furthermore, because the depth of
the substrate at the time of etching is the depth of the depressed
part, there is also an advantage that the depth of the
micropatterns can be set freely.
[0241] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that anisotropic dry etching is performed
in transferring the depressed part to the substrate.
[0242] With this arrangement, it is possible to maintain the size
of the micropatterns excellently in transferring the micropatterns
from the resin layer to the substrate.
[0243] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that the light beam is radiated and
focused onto the heat-absorbing layer from the side of the resin
layer.
[0244] With this arrangement, as compared to the case where the
light beam is radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing layer,
the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer is more easily
transmitted to the depressed part inducing layer, which is made of
dielectric material or metal oxide. In addition, because the light
beam is transmitted through the depressed part inducing layer, the
depressed part inducing layer generates heat by absorbing the light
beam. Therefore, the shapes of the micropatterns formed in the
resin layer are more uniform, and recording can be carried out at
lower power.
[0245] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that a metal layer is formed on the
heat-absorbing layer; and the light beam is radiated and focused
onto the heat-absorbing layer from the side of the resin
substrate.
[0246] With this arrangement, the metal layer, which is provided on
the heat-absorbing layer, blocks the explosion of the
heat-absorbing layer. Therefore, the heat-absorbing layer does not
explode. As a result, the micropatterns are formed in more uniform
shapes. Furthermore, as in the foregoing arrangement, as compared
to the case where the light beam is radiated from the side of the
heat-absorbing layer, the heat generated in the heat-absorbing
layer is more easily transmitted to the depressed part inducing
layer, which is made of dielectric material or metal oxide. In
addition, because the light beam is transmitted through the
depressed part inducing layer, the depressed part inducing layer
generates heat by absorbing the light beam. Therefore, the shapes
of the micropatterns formed in the resin layer are more uniform,
and recording can be carried out at lower power.
[0247] The method of the present invention for forming a
micropattern may be such that the resin layer is made of
photoresist, polyolefin resin, or the like, the depressed part
inducing layer is made of zinc oxide, and the heat-absorbing layer
is made of silicon.
[0248] With this arrangement, the method of the present invention
for forming a micropattern can be carried out more easily.
[0249] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that the resin
layer, which is provided on the master copy substrate, is not
completely removed in transferring the depressed part to the master
copy substrate in the etching step; and a remaining part of the
resin layer is removed in a second peeling step.
[0250] According to this arrangement, the surface of the master
copy substrate is not damaged by the etching, because the etching
is terminated without completely removing the resin layer.
Therefore, the flatness of the surface of the master copy substrate
is preserved. As a result, it is possible to manufacture an optical
recording medium master copy having more flat micropatterns.
Furthermore, because the depth of the master copy substrate at the
time of etching is the depth of the depressed part, there is also
an advantage that the depth of the micropatterns can be set
freely.
[0251] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that anisotropic
dry etching is performed in the etching step, in order to transfer
the depressed part to the master copy substrate.
[0252] With this arrangement, it is possible to maintain the size
of the micropatterns excellently in transferring the micropatterns
from the resin layer to the substrate.
[0253] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that, in the
film-forming step, a heat-absorbing layer is formed on the
depressed part inducing layer; and, in the light radiating step,
the light beam is radiated and focused onto at least the
heat-absorbing layer, so as to form the depressed part in the resin
substrate or the resin layer.
[0254] With this arrangement, as in the foregoing arrangement, an
optical recording medium master copy having guiding grooves and
prepits that are finer than those formed by a conventional method
can be manufactured by using an existing laser recording device and
by using a material that can be processed easily. Furthermore, by
radiating and focusing the light beam onto the heat-absorbing layer
in the light radiating step, heat is generated in the
heat-absorbing layer, and the heat is transmitted to the depressed
part inducing layer, which is made of dielectric material or metal
oxide. As a result, it is possible to form an optical recording
medium master copy having guiding grooves and prepits that are
finer and more uniform in shape.
[0255] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that, in the light
radiating step, the light beam is radiated and focused onto the
heat-absorbing layer from the side of the resin substrate or the
resin layer.
[0256] With this arrangement, as compared to the case where the
light beam is radiated from the side of the heat-absorbing layer,
the heat generated in the heat-absorbing layer is more easily
transmitted to the depressed part inducing layer, which is made of
dielectric material or metal oxide. In addition, because the light
beam is transmitted through the depressed part inducing layer, the
depressed part inducing layer generates heat by absorbing the light
beam. Therefore, the shapes of the micropatterns formed in the
resin substrate or the resin layer are more uniform, and recording
can be carried out at lower power.
[0257] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that, in the
film-forming step, a metal layer is formed on the heat-absorbing
layer; and, in the light radiating step, the light beam is radiated
and focused onto the heat-absorbing layer from the side of the
resin substrate or the resin layer.
[0258] With this arrangement, the metal layer, which is provided on
the heat-absorbing layer, blocks the explosion of the
heat-absorbing layer. Therefore, because the heat-absorbing layer
does not explode, the micropatterns are formed in more uniform
shapes. As a result, the error rate is further reduced.
[0259] The method of the present invention for manufacturing an
optical recording medium master copy may be such that the resin
layer is made of photoresist, polyolefin resin, or the like, the
depressed part inducing layer is made of zinc oxide, and the
heat-absorbing layer is made of silicon. With this arrangement, it
is possible to carry out the method of the present invention for
manufacturing an optical recording medium master more easily,
thereby obtaining an optical recording medium master copy.
[0260] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same way may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to
be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one
skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of
the following claims.
* * * * *