High-density disk storage by multiplexed microholograms

We propose a concept of holographic data storage which promises storage capacities of more than 100-Gbyte on a digital versatile disk (DVD)-sized disk. The information is stored bitwise in form of microscopic reflection holograms. High storage densities can be achieved by combining multiplexing methods and multilayer storage. A theoretical model for microscopic reflection holograms generated by focused Gaussian beams is proposed, Experimental results are presented for the recording and characterization of microholograms in DuPont's HRF-800 photopolymers. The local distribution of the diffraction efficiency was investigated by applying a confocal scanning microscope setup. Single-color holograms with a radius of 1.8 and 12 mu m depth have been recorded. We observe a blue shift in the spectral response of the microholograms of less than 2% due to shrinkage of the polymer, In the case of threefold wavelength multiplexing, all wavelengths are clearly resolved in the spectral response having spectral width Delta lambda of less than 10 nm (FWHM), Baking the holograms for 1 h at 120 degrees C nearly doubled the diffraction efficiency while the spectral response of the microholograms broadened by a factor two. We showed that 80-ps pulses are sufficient for holographic recording in the photopolymers. An optimized pre-illumination allows a significant increase in diffraction efficiency.