An AFM study on the degradation of phase-change recordable compact disc

An AFM study on the degradation in phase-change recordable compact discs is presented. The results indicate that degradation is primarily due to the formation of bubbles within the phase-change layer, which may act as light scattering centers. Doping of nitrogen in the dielectric layers or using higher track speed can slow down the formation of bubbles. We also present a new technique for enhancing the topological contrast of the phase change marks by electroplating the phase-change layer with nickel.