Cavity enhanced image recording for holographic data storage

Abstract

Previously, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated that optical cavities can be employed in recording and readout of plane wave holograms to improve data rates in Holographic Data Storage Systems (HDSS). However, there were some concerns about whether these techniques would be applicable to page based HDSS where signal beams are image bearing and have multiple wave vectors. We have consequently demonstrated cavity enhanced writing of image bearing holograms in Fe: LiNbO3 with a 532 nm wavelength, CW, single mode, DPSS, Nd: YAG, laser with a cavity on the reference arm. The diffraction efficiency was monitored by pseudo-phase-conjugate readout during the recording process. Additionally, standing wave cavity recording was described as inappropriate to HDSS due to introducing additionally gratings to the recording process. The balancing of these grating strengths is analyzed relative to a trade-off in dynamic range consumption vs. data rates and the elimination of the extra gratings via quarter wave plates and isotropic recording media is proposed.