I'm interested in making my own optical phonograph, which is sort of like a mini disc-based version of the sound-on-film technique. I'm not looking to construct a full-on laserdisc, which has its own complexities. Instead, I'd like to use a small homemade laser along with a photo sensor to convert sound waves into light intensity. My main question is about what materials are typically used to create optical discs. Does anyone have insights or suggestions on this? Also, I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my query, but I'm struggling to find a more suitable one!
1 Answer
Creating an optical disc at home is quite the challenge! Most recordable optical discs require super high precision production techniques and advanced chemistry, which usually involves expensive machinery and expertise. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of project that can be done easily in a home workshop.
I get that, but a lot of the technology for making these discs has been perfected already, so I think understanding the basics and materials might help. There's definitely a way to work with existing tech rather than starting from scratch!