Two-photon absorption-based 3D optical memories

The rapid advance of image-dependent information processing and entertainment applications has accelerated the need for data storage solutions that offer high capacity and high data transfer rates while maintaining low system and media costs. Volume optical memories based on 2-photon absorption-induced photochromism enable random access writing and erasure to individual bits, lines, planes, or sets of planes within the volume of the memory media. The 3- dimensional nature of the storage enables high storage capacities (theoretically 1012 bits/cm2) and parallel readout for high data transfer rates (1-100 Gb/s). The customizable nature of the media (dye-doped plastic) and efficient fluorescent mechanism of the memory readout promise cost-effective system and media solutions. Characterization experiments for erasable and read-only media have been performed, and system experiments for automated recording, and portable read-only memories have been designed and constructed.