optical disc
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An optical disc is a flat, circular disc that stores computer data by encoding it in a physical format, similar to CDs or DVDs. It has been important for distributing software and files to consumers and for preserving data over long periods of time.
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The bottom surface of a 12 cm compact disc (CD-R), showing characteristic iridescence The optical lens of a compact disc drive
An optical disc is a flat, usually disc-shaped object that stores information in the form of physical variations on its surface that can be read with the aid of a beam of light. Optical discs can be reflective, where the light source and detector are on the same side of the disc, or transmissive, where light shines through the disc to be detected on the other side. They may contain analog or digital information, or a mixture of the two. Their main uses are the distribution of media and data, and long-term archival storage.