What CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays look like under a microscope

[Kevin Lancaster]

What CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays look like under a microscope

An electron microscope has been used to produce images of vinyl LPs, as well as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs at the micrometre level.

 

[sybertiger]

i just looked at microscopes this weekend and videos about it,a whole different world trough the eyes of the scope

would be nice to have a follow up on this,with prices and local places to buy them from

 

[MickeyD]

And then you get the difference between a "stamped" (original) and a "burnt" (copied) disc... Here's a comparison with a CD:



As you see, the "original" CD has physical grooves where it is "cut" or "stamped" and has a totally different design.

The copied CD has a reflective layer where the laser burns holes to replicate the grooves of the original.

This is the same for DVD and BR discs. It's also why you can mostly repair damaged original discs but throw away damaged copied discs.

 

[Vice]

Very interesting. I wonder how a tape would looks?

 

[Gwaji]

re LP flick

Totally groovy man.

 

[kianm]

So looks like with the Bluray we are almost at capacity

 

[ponder]

So looks like with the Bluray we are almost at capacity

No, his electron microscope just lacks the resolution to drill down deeper. There is experimental 400GB bluray work etc on the go.

 

[Ridolfc]

And then you get the difference between a "stamped" (original) and a "burnt" (copied) disc... Here's a comparison with a CD:

View attachment 229186

As you see, the "original" CD has physical grooves where it is "cut" or "stamped" and has a totally different design.

The copied CD has a reflective layer where the laser burns holes to replicate the grooves of the original.

This is the same for DVD and BR discs. It's also why you can mostly repair damaged original discs but throw away damaged copied discs.

I did not know that. Really cool to see this.