L3-DVT-5DQ-READ
CRITICAL
PRESERVATION
Level 3 · hardware
5D Disc Reader
Polarization-Sensitive Optical Reader for 5D Discs
Polarization-sensitive optical reader recovering data from 5D quartz discs via slow scanning with polarization microscopy.
Purpose
Polarization-sensitive optical reader recovering data from 5D quartz discs via slow scanning with polarization microscopy.
Context
Child of L2-DVT-5DQ within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Polarization microscopy reads orientation of nanostructures
- ▸Volumetric scanning via confocal microscope
- ▸Read rate ~100 Mbps (slower than write)
- ▸Multi-disc autoloader for library access
- ▸Long-life optical components
Typical implementations
- ▸University of Southampton reader prototype
- ▸Microsoft Silica reader
- ▸SPhotonix commercial reader
Lunar considerations
- ▸Read-only operation safer for archive integrity
- ▸Long-life CMOS sensor
- ▸Vacuum environment helps optical performance
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Polarization-sensitive optical reader recovering data from 5D quartz discs via slow scanning with polarization microscopy. |
| read rate mbps | 100 |
| autoloader discs | 100 |
Physical
| mass kg | 50 |
| materials | Polarisation microscope, Confocal scanner, CMOS sensor |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 100 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 20 |
| mtbf hours | 30000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Decoded data stream
- Raw bits for decoding
Requires
- Reader (~100 W)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "5D Disc Reader" (L3-DVT-5DQ-READ). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-DVT-5DQ-READ
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.