Physics Lab Report – 5 Sam Prince Franklin K

20MIS1115

AIM:
Determination of the track width (periodicity) in a given CD by a Laser
diffraction method and then determine the amount of data stored on a given
CD.

Apparatus:
1. Laser source
2. Written CD-R
3. Planer screen
4. Measuring Scale

Theory:
A Compact Disc (CD) is an optical disc used to store digital data. CD-
ROMs and CD-Rs remain widely used technologies in the computer
industry.CD-ROM drives employ a near-infrared 780 nm laser diode. The
laser beam is directed onto the disc via an opto-electronic tracking module,
which then detects whether the beam has been reflected or scattered.

A CD is made from 1.2 mm thick, almost-pure polycarbonate plastic

and weighs 15–20 grams. From the center outward components are at the
center (spindle) hole, the first-transition area (clamping ring), the clamping
area (stacking ring), the second-transition area (mirror band), the information
(data) area, and the rim. Standard CDs have a diameter of 120 mm and can
hold up to 80 minutes of uncompressed audio (700 MB of data). The Mini
CD has various diameters ranging from 60 to 80 mm; they are sometimes
used for CD singles or device drivers, storing up to 24 minutes of audio.
CD data are stored as a series of tiny indentations known as “pits”,
encoded in a spiral track molded into the top of the polycarbonate layer. The
areas between pits are known as “lands”. Each pit is approximately 100 nm
deep by 500 nm wide, and varies from 850 nm to 3.5 µm in length. CD-

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Physics Lab Report – 5 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115

ROM capacities are normally expressed with binary prefixes, subtracting the
space used for error correction data. A standard 120 mm, 700 MB CD-ROM
can actually hold about 737 M. In comparison, a single-layer DVD-ROM
can hold 4.7 GB of error-protected data.

CD players use laser technology to read the optically recorded data in

the form of Bits and Pits on a CD. About 20000 or more tracks are found in
a CD’s recording surface. The distance between the tracks, the pitch, is 1.6
µm. A CD is read by focusing a 780 nm wavelength (near infrared)
semiconductor laser through the bottom of the polycarbonate layer. The
change in height between pits and lands results in a difference in intensity in
the light reflected. By measuring the intensity change with a photodiode, the
data can be read from the disc.

The digital information is defined as the length of pits and distance

between them. The pits and reflective surface represent logic 0 and logic 1.
The pits and lands themselves do not directly represent the zeros and ones of
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20MIS1115

binary data. Instead, Non-return-to-zero, inverted (NRZI) encoding is used: a

change from pit to land or land to pit indicates a one, while no change
indicates a series of zeros. There must be at least two and no more than ten
zeros between each one, which is defined by the length of the pit.

Formula:
nλ = d sinθ (For reflected diffraction pattern)

Where,
λ is the wavelength of the laser, θ is the angle of diffraction, n is the
order of diffraction
d is the track width (to be determined). Hence, the track width can be
determined by using the following equation,
d = λ n / Sinθ μm

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Physics Lab Report – 5 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115

Procedures:
1. The CD is held normal to the laser beam at a distance ~40cm such
that the laser source
lies between the screen and the CD.
2. The laser source is switched on and it is diffracted by the CD by the
phenomenon of reflective diffraction.
3. A central spot with equidistant spots on either side will be noticed on
the screen.
4. The distance 2L between the spots on either side of the central spot
is measured corresponding to various orders (1,2,3….n).
5. The experiment is repeated for various values of D, the distance
between the screen and the CD.

Precaution / Source of Error:

• Check all apparatus before using, as faulty apparatus can give wrong
readings.
• Place the CD in Correct Position.
• Do not see the laser light directly.

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Physics Lab Report – 5 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115

Observation:
Given λ = 660 nm

θ tan Trackwidth
Diffraction tan θ Sin Mean
D 2L L -1 (d)
Order n (L/D) θ sin θ
(L/D) (μm)
7 7 3.5 0.50 26.56 0.44
9 8.5 4.25 0.47 25.17 0.42
1 11 10.5 5.25 0.47 25.17 0.42 0.428 1.542
13 12.8 6.4 0.49 26.10 0.43
15 14.4 7.2 0.48 25.64 0.43
7 29 14.5 2.07 64.21 0.90
9 33 16.5 1.83 61.34 0.87
2 11 36 18 1.63 58.47 0.85 0.868 1.520
13 44.5 22.25 1.71 59.68 0.86
15 51 25.5 1.7 59.53 0.86
Mean 1.531
Calculations:
𝛌𝐧
𝑑=
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽
660 ×1x 10−9
1. 𝑑 = = 1.542𝜇𝑚
0.428
660 ×2×10−9
2. 𝑑 = = 1.520𝜇𝑚
0.868
1.54205+1.52073
Mean = = 1.531 𝜇𝑚
2

Result & Conclusion:

The track width of the CD is ‘d’ = 1.531 μm

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Physics Lab Report – 5 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115

Applications:
CD HDD
Stands For Compact Disk Hard Disk Drive
Purpose To store Small Amount To store large amount
of Data of Data
Type Pre - Pressed optical Electro Mechanical
disk Device
Working Principle Laser Disc Technology Magnetic Field
A Laser beam is focused Technology
on the disc to retrieve A rapidly rotating disks
data or to encode data (platters) coasted with
into the disc. magnetic material. The
platters are paired with
magnetic heads
arranged on a moving
actuator arm, which
read and write data to
the platter surface.
Advantages & Data can be corrupted Data is safely packed
Disadvantages easily by damaging the inside a case.
outer surface Large Amount of data
can be stored.