holographic storage images

The Spatial Light Modulator

LCD shutters open and close to create a binary pattern, typically a million bits. The data laser is beamed through the modulator and intersects with the reference beam, creating a unique interference pattern.

Create an Interference Pattern

The combination of data and reference lasers create the unique interference pattern, which is the hologram stored in the optical materal. To read back the binary pattern, only the reference laser is used to output the data.

An Early Prototype

This was a prototype of holographic storage from IBM's Almaden labs. The laser beams (green) are directed through various lenses to the optical storage unit. The bottom picture is a magnification of the storage area, showing the intersection where the hologram is created. The red arrow is the reference laser; the blue is the data laser. (Images courtesy of IBM Almaden Research Center.)

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