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How Optical Storage Works

Optical storage uses laser light to retrieve data from the surface of optical media. Optical storage is often used to deliver multimedia content such as video.

Storing a bit

Storing a bit

  • Each 1 or 0 (value of a bit) is represented as a microscopic hole (called a pit) or a flat surface (called a land) on the surface of the disk.
Accessing data

Accessing data

  • A laser is shone on the disk surface.
  • If the laser hits a land, it will be reflected into a sensor.
  • If the laser hits a pit, then it will be reflected elsewhere.
  • These can be used to represent our 1 and 0.
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