Accessing 3D memory information by means of nonlinear absorption

A novel method for accessing information from two-photon 3D volume memory devices is presented. We have used the decrease in laser intensity induced by two-photon absorption as the means for reading 3D information. The ratio of the initial laser intensity to the intensity after two-photon absorption is increased drastically by passing both beams through a second and fourth harmonic crystal. This means eliminates the need for focusing and collecting lenses and the disadvantages associated with the fluorescence method of reading information.