Effective medium analysis of TeO_x optical storage layers

The optical properties of Te suboxide type optical memory disk media have been analyzed in terms of the Maxwell Garnett theory of particulate composites. Using the optical indices reported in the literature for amorphous and polycrystalline Te the essential features of the reflectivity spectrum of an optical disc consisting of tellurium suboxide have been simulated. This result supports the interpretation that these suboxide films have extremely fine granular structures. This composite structure has been speculated to be an important factor which enables some of this type of storage medium to repeat numerous amorphous-crystalline transition cycles.