Holographic memory optical system based on computer-generated Fourier holograms

Abstract

Holography is known to be a prospective tool for storing large amounts of digital information, providing long lasting safety and high speed data access. In this paper, we present a new approach to holographic memory system design. Our method is based on an application of discrete Fourier-transform calculations to encode two-dimensional binary data pages as computer-generated amplitude Fourier holograms (CGFHs). These CGFHs, represented as grayscale raster images, can be displayed with the use of a high resolution amplitude spatial light modulator (SLM) in an optical projection system and exposed on holographic medium with multiple reduction. The optical scheme required for the technical realization of this method appears significantly simpler compared with known holographic memory recording devices; moreover, it can be built using either coherent or incoherent light sources. Coding of data pages by precise pseudorandom phase masks during CGFH synthesis allows us to achieve about 3% of the recorded microholograms diffraction efficiency. The experimental results of CGFH projection recorded with a 20× reduction on photosensitive holographic medium and its reconstruction are presented.