Noise in a video disk system: experiments with an (AIGa) As laser.

In this paper different noise sources are investigated which may be important in an optical readout system for video disks. These noise sources can be divided into three categories: (1) noise due to the light source; (2) noise due to the storage medium; and (3) noise due to the electronics of the detecting system. The relative importance of the three noise terms is discussed for different light levels. Finally an experimental readout scheme is discussed, based upon an AlGaAs diode laser, and it is shown that this laser, like the He-Ne laser, is suitable for video disk reading.