Multi-beam optical system for optical tape recording

An optical tape recording system utilizing a rotating optical head is under development as a mass storage device suitable for recording television programs. High-quality moving pictures for broadcast require a correspondingly high bit rate of over 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for recording. Toward the realization of such a high bit rate, recording in parallel utilizing many laser beams is most effective. We propose on optical system integrating a head thai is suitable for parallel recording on an optical tape with numerous laser beams. The: optical system assumes the role of keeping the: lateral magnification constant during focusing. We studied the effectiveness of such an optical system by the experimental construction of a four-beam optical head.