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The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives podcast artwork

PODCAST · technology

The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives

This podcast is drawn from the "Virtual Lab" of WeCanFigureThisOut.org. This Virtual Lab uses 3D virtual reality animations to explain electronics, microelectronics and nanotechnology. This podcast explains the miniaturized optical and mechanical components that make CD and DVD drive work. This includes a description of the clever systems that automaticaly focus and center the laser on the data tracks of the disk.

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  1. 26

    But most CD/DVDs use a more complicated scheme.

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  2. 25

    As the disk moves, the astigmatic beam changes shape on the new detector.

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  3. 24

    There is just one more challenge: keeping the laser centered on the data track.

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  4. 23

    If the disk drifts, one of the side beams blinks on the lane markers.

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  5. 22

    And this all fits inside a half cubic centimeter!

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  6. 21

    This podcast is drawn from the Virtual Lab presentations of WeCanFigureThisOut.org. The copyrighted material of this site was developed under funding from National Science Foundation CCLI, NIRT, MRSEC and NUE programs. This project is led by John C. Bean

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  7. 20

    All of the scenes together

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  8. 19

    And then there is the mechanism that moves the optical read/write head . . .

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  9. 18

    The optical head is the heart of the CD/DVD drive.

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  10. 17

    Here are its basic components.

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  11. 16

    The laser passes through a splitter and lens, bouncing off the disk to the detector.

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  12. 15

    This is the path followed by photons of beam.

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  13. 14

    The disk's pattern of pits is translated into an optical signal.

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  14. 13

    But disks are not flat . . . so things get complicated.

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  15. 12

    So the lens is suspended inside an electromagnet.

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  16. 11

    But we need to figure out how the lens should move.

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  17. 10

    Simplfy things by straightening out the beam's path.

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  18. 9

    Look more closely at the point where the laser focuses.

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  19. 8

    Trace light rays as they pass through the lens and its clone.

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  20. 7

    If the disk moves, the beam no longer emerges parallel.

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  21. 6

    Fold the path back up and see what happens at the photodetector.

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  22. 5

    We could use a circle and ring detector.

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  23. 4

    A motor pulls the tray in and out

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  24. 3

    Move to the side to see how the rotation motor is lifted

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  25. 2

    A rail and gear push a cam that lifts the motor, driving its spindle through the disk

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  26. 1

    Let's take apart a CD/DVD drive, layer by layer

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

This podcast is drawn from the "Virtual Lab" of WeCanFigureThisOut.org. This Virtual Lab uses 3D virtual reality animations to explain electronics, microelectronics and nanotechnology. This podcast explains the miniaturized optical and mechanical components that make CD and DVD drive work. This includes a description of the clever systems that automaticaly focus and center the laser on the data tracks of the disk.

HOSTED BY

John C. Bean - WeCanFigureThisOut.org

CATEGORIES

technology

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives have?

The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives currently has 26 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives about?

This podcast is drawn from the "Virtual Lab" of WeCanFigureThisOut.org. This Virtual Lab uses 3D virtual reality animations to explain electronics, microelectronics and nanotechnology. This podcast explains the miniaturized optical and mechanical components that make CD and DVD drive work. This...

How often does The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives release new episodes?

The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives has 26 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives?

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Who hosts The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives?

The Inner Workings of CD/DVD Drives is created and hosted by John C. Bean - WeCanFigureThisOut.org.
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