System metric for holographic memory systems

Volume holograms with linear diffraction efficiency relation by (3 + 1)D printing

We demonstrate the fabrication of volume holograms using two-photon polymerization with dynamic control of light exposure. We refer to our method as (3 + 1)D printing. Volume holograms that are recorded by interfering reference and signal beams have a diffraction efficiency relation that is inversely proportional to the square of the number of superimposed holograms. By using (3 + 1)D printing for fabrication, the refractive index of each voxel is created independently and thus, by digitally filtering the undesired interference terms, the diffraction efficiency is now inversely proportional to the number of multiplexed gratings. We experimentally demonstrated this linear dependence by recording M = 50 volume gratings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental demonstration of distributed volume holograms that overcome the 1/M2 limit.

Integration of a PQ:PMMA holographic memory device into the hybrid opto-electronic correlator for shift, scale, and rotation invariant target recognition

The hybrid optoelectronic correlator (HOC) combines optical and electronic signal processing to achieve the same functionality as traditional optical correlators but without the need for dynamic materials. Here we propose and demonstrate the integration of a PQ:PMMA holographic memory device (HMD) into the HOC as a high-speed all-optical database for reference images. Using a PQ:PMMA HMD for one of the inputs eliminates one of the key speed limitations in the HOC. The observed correlation signal agrees with simulations but highlights the need for high quality holographic substrates in this application.

Highly efficient dual page reproduction in holographic data storage

We propose a simultaneous dual-page reproduction for holographic data storage (HDS) with high-efficiency and high-speed data reproduction by reusing a transmitted reference beam that passes through a recording medium after data reconstruction. The transmitted reference beam enters the recording medium at a different incident angle to reproduce different data pages; thus, this technology can double data-transfer rates without increasing the laser's output power or preparing another laser source. In the experiment, neighboring angle-multiplexed two data pages were simultaneously reconstructed and a data transfer rate of 1.0 Gbps was obtained.

Transport-of-intensity holographic data storage based on a computer-generated hologram

To increase the recording density of computer-generated-hologram (CGH)-based holographic data storage, a phase data page reconstruction method by the transport of intensity equation (TIE) is proposed. The TIE generally requires a scanning image sensor because the phase retrieval process needs at least two defocused intensity distributions. Although the TIE is applied, the proposed method enables detection of the distributions simultaneously by utilizing an extra conjugate component reconstructed from the CGH. Experimental results show that the proposed method allows reconstructing of a phase data page without any additional elements, which keeps the optical setup simple and low cost.

Analysis of a lens-array modulated coaxial holographic data storage system with considering recording dynamics of material

In the first time, a simulation model with considering the recording dynamics of material is built and is used to simulate evolution of the grating strength of the recorded hologram in a coaxial volume holographic memory system. In addition, phase modulation by lens array in the reference is introduced and observed to perform better diffracted signal quality and higher shifting selectivity, in both simulation and experiment. The use of lens array is found to provide multiple advantages in volume holographic memory system. The new simulation model potentially can be used to precisely design the system to obtain higher diffracted signal quality, higher shifting selectivity, and reduction of M# consumption and increase of storage capacity.

Photopolymerizable nanocomposite photonic materials and their holographic applications in light and neutron optics

We present an overview of recent investigations of photopolymerizable nanocomposite photonic materials in which, thanks to their high degree of material selectivity, recorded volume gratings possess high refractive index modulation amplitude and high mechanical/thermal stability at the same time, providing versatile applications in light and neutron optics. We discuss the mechanism of grating formation in holographically exposed nanocomposite materials, based on a model of the photopolymerization-driven mutual diffusion of monomer and nanoparticles. Experimental inspection of the recorded grating's morphology by various physicochemical and optical methods is described. We then outline the holographic recording properties of volume gratings recorded in photopolymerizable nanocomposite materials consisting of inorganic/organic nanoparticles and monomers having various photopolymerization mechanisms. Finally, we show two examples of our holographic applications, holographic digital data storage and slow-neutron beam control.

Cavity techniques for holographic data storage recording

Conventionally, reading and writing of data holograms utilizes a fraction of the light power because of a trade off in write and read efficiencies. This system constraint can be mitigated by applying a resonator cavity. Cavities enable more efficient use of the available light leading to enhanced read and write data rates with no additional energy cost. This enhancement is inversely related to diffraction efficiency, so these techniques work well for large capacity holographic data storage having low diffraction efficiency. The enhancement in write data transfer rate is evaluated by writing plane wave holograms and image bearing holograms in Fe:LiNbO₃ with a 532 nm wavelength laser. We confirmed 1.2 times enhancement in write data rate, out of a 1.4 theoretical maximum for materials absorption of 16%.

Highly efficient volume hologram multiplexing in thick dye-doped jelly-like gelatin

Dye-doped jelly-like gelatin is a thick-layer self-developing photosensitive medium that allows single and multiplexed volume phase holograms to be successfully recorded using pulsed laser radiation. In this Letter, we present a method for multiplexed recording of volume holograms in a dye-doped jelly-like gelatin, which provides significant increase in their diffraction efficiency. The method is based on the recovery of the photobleached dye molecule concentration in the hologram recording zone of gel, thanks to molecule diffusion from other unexposed gel areas. As an example, an optical recording of a multiplexed hologram consisting of three superimposed Bragg gratings with mean values of the diffraction efficiency and angular selectivity of ∼75% and ∼21^', respectively, is demonstrated by using the proposed method.

Shift-multiplexed self-referential holographic data storage

The feasibility and the properties of shift-multiplexed self-referential holographic data storage (SR-HDS) were investigated. Although SR-HDS has attractive features as typified by referenceless holographic recording, its multiplexing properties, which are consummately important for holographic data storage, have not been clarified until now. The results of numerical and experimental evaluations of medium shift dependence in SR-HDS clarified that the shift selectivity is almost the same as in collinear holography. Furthermore, 25 datapages were successfully shift-multiplexed with the shift pitch of 8.3 μm by the numerical simulation.

Resolution enhancement of holographic printer using a hogel overlapping method

We propose a hogel overlapping method for the holographic printer to enhance the lateral resolution of holographic stereograms. The hogel size is directly related to the lateral resolution of the holographic stereogram. Our analysis by computer simulation shows that there is a limit to decreasing the hogel size while printing holographic stereograms. Instead of reducing the size of hogel, the lateral resolution of holographic stereograms can be enhanced by printing overlapped hogels, which makes it possible to take advantage of multiplexing property of the volume hologram. We built a holographic printer, and recorded two holographic stereograms using the conventional and proposed overlapping methods. The images and movies of the holographic stereograms experimentally captured were compared between the conventional and proposed methods. The experimental results confirm that the proposed hogel overlapping method improves the lateral resolution of holographic stereograms compared to the conventional holographic printing method.

Coaxial holographic encoding based on pure phase modulation

We describe a simple technique for coaxial holographic image recording and reconstruction, employing a spatial light modulator (SLM) modified in pure phase mode. In the image encoding system, both the reference beam in the outside part and the signal beam in the inside part are displayed by an SLM based on the twisted nematic LCD. For a binary image, the part with amplitude of "1" is modulated with random phase, while the part with amplitude of "0" is modulated with constant phase. After blocking the dc component of the spatial frequencies, a Fourier transform (FT) hologram is recorded with a uniform intensity distribution. The amplitude image is reconstructed by illuminating the reference beam onto the hologram, which is much simpler than existing phase modulated FT holography techniques. The technique of coaxial holographic image encoding and recovering with pure phase modulation is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally in this paper. As the holograms are recorded without the high-intensity dc component, the storage density with volume medium may be increased with the increase of dynamic range. Such a simple modulation method will have potential applications in areas such as holographic encryption and high-density disk storage systems.

Sensor for monitoring the vibration of a laser beam based on holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal films

A continuous multiple exposure diffraction grating (CMEDG) is fabricated holographically on polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films using two-beam interference with multiple exposures. The grating is fabricated by exposing a PDLC film to 18 repeated exposure/non-exposure cycles with an angular step of ~10°/10° while it revolves a circle on a rotation stage. The structure of the sample thus formed is analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and shows arc-ripples around the center. From the diffraction patterns of the formed grating obtained using a normally incident laser beam, some or all of the 18 recorded arc beams can be reconstructed, as determined by the probing location. Thus, it can be applied for use as a beam-vibration sensor for a laser.

Homodyne readout on dc-removed coaxial holographic data storage

Multiplexing characteristics of a dc-removed coaxial holographic storage system were evaluated for what is believed to be the first time. Our dc-removed coaxial system achieved 3.5 times higher raw data density than a conventional coaxial system that involved dc recording. The increase of the data density was due not only to less M/# consumption but also to the effects of signal amplification and noise reduction by use of the positive and negative images reconstructed from the same holograms.

Study of reflection gratings recorded in polyvinyl alcohol/acrylamide-based photopolymer

High-spatial-frequency fringes associated with reflection holographic optical elements are difficult to obtain with currently available recording materials. In this work, holographic reflection gratings were stored in a polyvinyl alcohol/acrylamide photopolymer. This material is formed of acrylamide photopolymer, which is considered interesting material for optical storage applications such as holographic memories. The experimental procedure for examining the high-spatial-frequency response of this material is explained, and the experimental results obtained are presented. With the aim of obtaining the best results, the performance of different material compositions is compared.

Simultaneous readout of positive and negative images for dc-removed coaxial holographic data storage

A method of reconstructing positive and negative images simultaneously from the same dc-removed coaxial Fourier hologram with the same reference pattern is presented. The simultaneous reconstruction is possible by making the polarization of the additional dc component of the signal beam perpendicular to the polarization of the reconstructed signal beam, in which separately detected s- and p-polarization components create contrast-reversed images. This method provides an aspect of designing dc-removed coaxial holographic storage systems for realizing optical noise reduction and less consumption of dynamic range of the recording medium.

Medium consumption in holographic memories

The dynamic range of holographic storage media is traditionally characterized in terms of M/#. However, this is a system parameter that assumes simple, uniform plane-wave holograms. Realistic architectures violate this assumption so that M/# measured with plane waves cannot be used to predict system diffraction efficiency. Thus, there currently is no systematic method predicting signal strength and medium consumption for holographic storage architectures a priori. We define a new material parameter, the modulation integral, M(I), and show how this may be used for dynamic range budgeting and diffraction efficiency prediction in complex storage systems. The method is illustrated by applying it to two architectures, collinear and angle polytopic, in order to estimate the M/# required for achieving a target storage density in the presence of empirical optical scatter noise.

Optimization of holographic storage with modulated recording beams in a thick polyvinyl alcohol/acrylamide photopolymer

In a holographic photopolymer system, the storage properties were often limited due to the attenuation in depth of light during the recording step. To obtain smaller values of the depth attenuation profiles in 1 mm thick polyvinyl alcohol/acrylamide (PVA/acrylamide) photopolymers, we used a triangle prism, sitting one face tilted at 13.7 degrees to the axis within the focus of a lens, to modulate the distribution of recording beams. Doing this permitted larger refractive index modulation depth to be achieved, and larger dynamic range (M#=9.2) was obtained in the PVA/acrylamide photopolymers.

Orthogonal polarization simultaneous readout for volume holograms with hybrid angle and polarization multiplexing in LiNbO(3)

The orthogonal polarization simultaneous readout technique in a hybrid-multiplexed memory using angular multiplexing and polarization multiplexing is presented. Twenty holograms were hybrid multiplexed in a single LiNbO(3) crystal with ten angular positions for angular multiplexing. In each angular position of the holographic memory, two images with orthogonal polarization are multiplexed in the same spatial location inside the LiNbO(3) via polarization multiplexing. These two orthogonally polarized images can be reconstructed simultaneously with a linear polarization reading beam, but they can be separated with a polarization beam splitter, and accordingly each can be viewed independently. The exposure schedule for holographic storage using the proposed hybrid-multiplexing technique is derived.

Nondestructive readout of a photorefractive hologram by phase-conjugate copying in a one-crystal configuration

We propose a novel phase-conjugate copying method for nondestructive readout of a volatile photorefractive hologram. In the one-crystal configuration, two holographic memories and a mutually pumped phase conjugator (MPPC) are formed within a single photorefractive crystal, instead of using multiple crystals. Two memories share the same hologram and complement each other in refreshing the hologram. A MPPC suppresses fanning noise and automatically aligns the wavefront of the reference and readout beams. We found the optimum configuration to achieve nondestructive readout from calculations and geometric consideration. In the experiments with a BaTiO(3) crystal, a continuous readout of 20 times longer than the recording time was achieved.

Modeling material saturation effects in microholographic recording

Microholographic data storage system model is presented that includes non-linear and non-local behavior of the storage material for accurate simulation of the system and optimization of the writing process. For the description of the photopolymer material a diffusion based nonlocal material model is used. The diffusion equation is solved numerically and the modulation of the dielectric constant is calculated. Diffraction efficiency of simulated microholograms and measurements were compared, and they show good agreement.

Optical noise reduction for dc-removed coaxial holographic data storage

A method of reconstructing positive and negative images from Fourier holograms recorded without the dc components is demonstrated by use of a coaxial holographic storage system. Reconstructed images are obtained by adding a phase-modulated dc component of the signal beam on reading. Contrast reversal of the reconstructed images can be achieved by reversing the readout reference pattern. This method can realize not only optical noise reduction but also less consumption of the dynamic range of the recording medium, potentially contributing to increasing the number of multiplexed holograms.

Optimization of a thick polyvinyl alcohol-acrylamide photopolymer for data storage using a combination of angular and peristrophic holographic multiplexing

The capability of polyvinyl alcohol-acrylamide photopolymer materials to obtain angularly multiplexed holographic gratings has been demonstrated [Appl. Phys. B 76, 851 (2003)]. A combination of two multiplexing methods--peristrophic and angular multiplexing--is used to record 60 holograms. An exposure schedule method is used to optimize the capability of the photopolymerizable holographic material and obtain holograms with a higher, more uniform diffraction efficiency. In addition, because of this exposure schedule method, the entire dynamic range (M#) of the material will be exploited, obtaining values of approximately M# approximately 9 in layers approximately 800 microm thick.

Iterative soft-minimum mean-square error equalization for digital nonlinear page-oriented memories

Digital page-oriented volume holographic memory (POVHM) is a promising candidate for next-generation ultrahigh capacity optical data storage technology. As the capacity of the POVHMs increases, the bit error rate performance of the system is degraded due to increased interpixel interference (IPI) and noise. To improve the system performance under these adverse effects and to increase the capacity, joint iterative soft equalization-detection and error correction decoding might be attractive. To address that, by considering the nonlinearity inherent in the channel, an iterative soft equalization method that is optimized in the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) sense, called the iterative soft-MMSE (ISMMSE) equalization, is devised. The performance of the ISMMSE is evaluated by use of numerical experiments under different amounts of IPI and optical noise. Simulation results suggest that the ISMMSE is a good candidate for an ultrahigh capacity POVHM, which employs joint iterative equalization-detection and decoding.

Coaxial holographic data storage without recording the dc components

A technique of recovering the data pages from Fourier holograms recorded without the dc components is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally by use of a coaxial holographic storage system. A reconstructed image is obtained by adding a phase-modulated dc component of the signal beam on reading. The bit error rate of the reconstructed image is comparable with that for the hologram recorded with the dc component as well. Since high intensities of the dc components are not recorded in this technique, the dynamic range of the recording media can be saved, which potentially contributes to increasing the number of multiplexed holograms.

Computer-generated volume holograms fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining

We define computer-generated volume holograms (CGVHs) as arbitrary 3D refractive index modulations designed to perform optical functions based on diffraction, scattering, and interference phenomena. CGVHs can differ dramatically from classical volume holograms in terms of coding possibilities, and from thin computer-generated holograms in terms of efficiency and selectivity. We propose an encoding technique for designing such holograms and demonstrate the concept by scanning focused femtosecond laser pulses to produce localized refractive index modifications in glass. These CGVHs show a significant increase in efficiency with thickness. Consequently, they are attractive for photonic integration with free-space and guided-wave devices, as well as for encoding spatial and temporal information.

Media tilt tolerance of bit-based and page-based holographic storage systems

Tilt tolerance of media is compared for bit-based and page-based holographic storage systems having an equal diffraction efficiency per bit detector, dynamic range of the medium, and surface recording density. We have formalized the diffraction efficiency degradation caused by aberrations of a reconstructing reference beam induced by tilt of the medium, using a coupled wave theory in the Fourier domain. The bit-based holographic storage system has a larger media tilt tolerance compared with a page-based system with relatively large page size.

Microholographic multilayer optical disk data storage

Micrometer-sized reflection holograms can be written into a rapidly rotating homogeneous photopolymer disk at the focus of a high-numerical-aperture beam and its retroreflection to implement high-capacity multilayer digital data storage. This retroreflection is generated by an optical system with positive unity magnification to ensure passive alignment of the counterpropagating beam. Analysis reveals that the storage capacity and transfer rate of this bit-based holographic storage system compare favorably with traditional page-based systems but at a fraction of the system complexity and cost. The analysis is experimentally validated at 532 nm by writing and reading 12 layers of microholograms in a 125-microm photopolymer disk continuously rotating at 3600 rpm. The experimental results predict a capacity limit of 140 Gbytes in a millimeter-thick disk or over 1 Tbyte with the wavelength and numerical aperture of Blu-Ray.

Rainbow volume holographic imaging

We present a new form of volume holographic imaging with rainbow illumination. High depth resolution is obtained because each quasi-monochromatic band of the rainbow acts as a depth-selective confocal slit. The color slits work in parallel to achieve a wide field of view (FoV) and so the need to scan in one lateral dimension is eliminated. Our experiments demonstrated <250-micro m depth resolution over an approximately equal to 15 degree FoV at a 50-mm working distance.

Clarifications to the paper "Holographic characteristics of a 1-mm-thick photopolymer to be used in holographic memories"

We have corrected typing errors related to the characterization of the dynamic range of the acrylamide photopolymer described in an earlier study [Appl. Opt. 42, 7008 (2003)]. The M number is expressed as M/# instead of M# as appears in the text. The value calculated from the experimental results that are included in the article is M/# = 3.8 instead of 38 as appears in the text.

Nonlocal polymerization-driven diffusion-model-based examination of the scaling law for holographic data storage

For the first time to our knowledge, a detailed theoretical basis is provided for the well-known inverse-square scaling law of holographic diffraction, which states that replay diffraction efficiency eta = gamma/M2, where M is the number of gratings stored and gamma is a constant system parameter. This law is shown to hold for photopolymer recording media governed by the predictions of the nonlocal polymerization-driven diffusion model. On the basis of the analysis, we (i) propose a media inverse scaling law, (ii) relate gamma to photopolymer material parameters and the hologram geometry and replay conditions, and (iii) comment on the form and validity of the diffraction efficiency inverse-square scaling law for higher-diffraction-efficiency gratings.

High-transfer-rate high-capacity holographic disk data-storage system

We describe the design and implementation of a high-data-rate high-capacity digital holographic storage disk system. Various system design trade-offs that affect density and data-rate performance are described and analyzed. In the demonstration system that we describe, high-density holographic recording is achieved by use of high-resolution short-focal-length optics and correlation shift multiplexing in photopolymer disk media. Holographic channel decoding at a 1-Gbit/s data rate is performed by custom-built electronic hardware. A benchmark sustained optical data-transfer rate of 10 Gbits/s has been successfully demonstrated.

Demonstration of a simple technique for determining the M/# of a holographic substrate by use of a single exposure

We propose and demonstrate a simple technique for determining the M/# parameter of a holographic recording material. In this method, divergent object and reference beams are used to produce a spatially varying index modulation. One can analyze the resultant diffraction pattern to find M/# by using only a single grating; existing techniques require many gratings.

Comment on "Holographic characteristics of a 1-mm-thick photopolymer to be used in holographic memories."

We believe there is an error in the calculation of the M/# in a previous paper [Appl. Opt. 42, 7008 (2003)]. From the data provided, we calculate an M/# of 3.8 rather than the reported value of 38 for the 1-mm sample tested.

Qualitative demonstration of spectral diversity filtering using spherical beam volume holograms

We investigate the feasibility of designing spectral diversity filters using spherical beam volume holograms. Our experimental results qualitatively show the separation of the information of different incident wavelength channels using spherical beam volume holograms. The major trade-off in using these holograms is between the degree of spatial spectral diversity and the number of allowed spatial modes (or the divergence angle) of the incident beam.

Storage of multiple holograms of equal diffraction efficiency in a phase-code multiplexing system

Computer simulations of 8-, 32-, and 128-bit phase-code multiplexing systems are presented, and exposure schedules are obtained numerically for equal diffraction efficiency. An analytic prediction of the exposure schedule is derived as a double exponential function that can be applied to the three different systems for variation of diffraction efficiency of less than +/- 13.5%. Eight holograms were experimentally recorded in a BaTiO3 crystal according to our exposure schedule and also to conventional schedules, which had originally been derived for an angle-multiplexing system. It is shown that the experimental data agree well with the computer simulations.

Discrete magnitude-squared channel modeling, equalization, and detection for volume holographic storage channels

As storage density increases, the performance of volume holographic storage channels is degraded, because intersymbol interference and noise also increase. Equalization and detection methods must be employed to mitigate the effects of intersignal interference and noise. However, the output detector array in a holographic storage system detects the intensity of the incident light's wave front, leading to loss of sign information. This sign loss precludes the applicability of conventional equalization and detection schemes. We first address channel modeling under quadratic nonlinearity and develop an efficient model named the discrete magnitude-squared channel model. We next introduce an advanced equalization method called the iterative magnitude-squared decision feedback equalization (IMSDFE), which takes the channel nonlinearity into account. The performance of IMSDFE is quantified for optical-noise-dominated channels as well as for electronic-noise-dominated channels. Results indicate that IMSDFE is a good candidate for a high-density, high-intersignal-interference volume holographic storage channel.

High-speed two-dimensional laser scanner based on Bragg gratings stored in photothermorefractive glass

A high-speed free-space wavelength-multiplexed optical scanner with high-speed wavelength selection coupled with narrowband volume Bragg gratings stored in photothermorefractive (PTR) glass is reported. The proposed scanner with no moving parts has a modular design with a wide angular scan range, accurate beam pointing, low scanner insertion loss, and two-dimensional beam scan capabilities. We present a complete analysis and design procedure for storing multiple tilted Bragg-grating structures in a single PTR glass volume (for normal incidence) in an optimal fashion. Because the scanner design is modular, many PTR glass volumes (each having multiple tilted Bragg-grating structures) can be stacked together, providing an efficient throughput with operations in both the visible and the infrared (IR) regions. A proof-of-concept experimental study is conducted with four Bragg gratings in independent PTR glass plates, and both visible and IR region scanner operations are demonstrated.