Computation of effective groove depth in an optical disk with vector diffraction theory.

Results of vector diffraction simulations pertaining to the effective groove depth for various disks with different groove parameters, different coatings, and different incident polarizations are presented. The effective depth deviates from the physical depth if the track pitch approaches the wavelength of the light source. Moreover, the difference of the effective depth for the two polarization states is demonstrated. The effective depth is usually shallower than the physical depth, especially for deeper grooves. The ray-bending mechanism associated with the objective lens and the different response to s- and p-polarized light on reflection from the disk surface impact the effective depth for objective lenses with different numerical apertures.