Impulse-equivalent time-domain optical memory

Abstract

We propose a novel approach to time-domain storage of serial optical data. In this approach, two identical impulse-equivalent sequences are used as write and read pulses to store and later retrieve optical information. These pulse sequences are both amplitude and phase modulated in such a way that their autocorrelations resemble, as closely as theoretically possible, the autocorrelation of a single large brief pulse to ensure faithful data retrieval. Such impulse-equivalent sequences are known to exist for all lengths, permitting the storage of large-bandwidth data. The advantages of this approach include modest laser power requirement, high signal fidelity, and encrypted recording.