Holographic data storage enables true volumetric storage of digital data. When represented in a holographic image, the recording of a digital bit is distributed throughout the recording volume, rather than as a localized region of magnetization or optical change. Moreover, each image may contain many bits, and many images can be uniquely recorded into and extracted from a finite volume. Holographic storage represents an opportunity to significantly increase data densities beyond those offered in conventional removable storage technologies, and to increase data transfer rates well beyond those that might be envisioned from today’s storage products.

Holography makes use of the full thickness of the recording material, providing data densities proportional to media thickness. This makes possible capacities of more than 1,000 GB on a CD disk format. By comparison, DVD technology provides only 9 GB using a dual layer format on a disk, and the recently released Blu-ray or BD-DVD technology achieves about 25 GB per layer by use of high NA optics and short wavelength using laser diode technology at 405 nm.

Data stored holographically are transferred as pages of optical information. This contrasts with conventional storage technologies, which transfer data in a serial stream of bits. Consequently, holography provides a substantially faster data transfer rate from a single head, surpassing 100 MB/sec. By comparison, DVD technology provides a data transfer rate of only 4 to 10 MBytes/sec that is format dependant, and the recently released Blu-ray or BD-DVD technology similarly achieves 72 Mbits/sec.

The STX Aprilis Holographic Data Storage Overview

Holographic Storage Schematic (How it Works)

Download Drive Animation (zip)