Abstract

The equilibrium water content of polycarbonate resin is a function of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). The difference in equilibrium water content at an incubation condition relative to that at ambient can be problematic if the environment around the polycarbonate is rapidly changed. For example, the formation of visible aqueous microcavities has been reported to occur in samples transferred from a 100°C water bath to a room temperature environment.¹ In an optical disc structure, far less dramatic effects, such as the release of a sub-micron thick water film at the information surface, could generate media defects. This paper develops a rational process for acclimating polycarbonate substrate discs to environmental changes that occur during incubation testing.

© 1994 Optical Society of America