Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: Holographic data storage systems are fixed after exposure during which data in the form of holograms are stored at locations in the medium (4). Sufficient fixing energy in the form of light or other electromagnetic and thermal radiation is applied to the media (4) either by flooding the media, or to specific locations where the medium has been written. The energy is sufficient to expose the recorded medium (4) to prevent recording in the unused dynamic range thereof. Such recording can be a spurious recording made during readout or from spurious sources of light incident on the media. In one embodiment, the reference beam (108) produced in the course of holographic recording is redirected to locations on the media (4) which have already been recorded. The redirected beam post exposes the media to fix these locations against spurious recording. The integrity of the holographic data storage systems and the robustness thereof is improved by fixing methods and apparatus incorporating the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Holographic media for storing and reading holographic data is provided having one or more external or internal surfaces having structures for at least one of minimizing reflections from illumination incident the surface, or enhancing adhesion between surfaces within the media. Structures for minimizing reflections represent a grating pattern of subwavelength structures providing low reflectivity at the operating characteristics of holographic optical systems to use the media, such as spectral bandwidth, angular bandwidth, and polarization of illumination incident the media. Adhesion promotion may be provided by structures along an interior surface of the media, such as along an interfacing surface between photosensitive material of the media and a substrate material adjoining the photosensitive material. Such adhesion promotion may be provided by such structured surface with or without providing low reflectivity at the operating characteristics of holographic optical systems to use the media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.

Abstract: Photosensitizing dyes are often used in conjunction with a photoacid generator in holographic recording media. Conventional photosensitizing dyes typically are limited by having an appreciable absorption of light when used in a sufficient concentration, such that the intensity of light decreases significantly with penetration into a recording medium. The present invention discloses a number of new 5-alkynyl substituted napthacene photosensitizing dyes that have low extinction coefficients coupled with good sensitizing properties, such that the problems associated with the photosensitizing dyes absorbing light are significantly reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: A hybrid data storage system comprising at least one memory system and at least one holographic drive, data being transmitted between the holographic drive and the memory system. At least one holographic drive writes data to a first holographic recording medium, and reads the written data from said first recording medium and from at least one other holographic recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that produces recording media using at least two platens. A first platen is movable relative to a second platen, and each platen has respective first and second support surfaces onto which substrates are placed, the first and second substrates each having inner and outer longitudinal surfaces. A centering device aligns the respective substrates relative to a one or more reference positions, a positioning system provides a degree of parallelism between the outer longitudinal surfaces of each of the substrates and produces a desired gap between the inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates, and a dispensing unit which emits a liquid medium within the gap between inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording at least two multiplexed holograms. The object beam and the reference beam generated by a coherent light source. Either an object beam or a reference beam is reflected from at least one portion of an aspherical reflecting surface causing the object beam and the reference beam to intersect and form an interference pattern at a plane defined by the intersection of the object and reference beams at a selected storage location in a recording media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that produces recording media using at least two platens. A first platen is movable relative to a second platen, and each platen has respective first and second support surfaces onto which substrates are placed, the first and second substrates each having inner and outer longitudinal surfaces. A centering device aligns the respective substrates relative to a one or more reference positions, a positioning system provides a degree of parallelism between the outer longitudinal surfaces of each of the substrates and produces a desired gap between the inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates, and a dispensing unit which emits a liquid medium within the gap between inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates.