Three-dimensional optical data storage in a fluorescent dye-doped photopolymer

Abstract

We propose a new, to our knowledge, monolithic multilayer optical storage medium in which data may be stored through the diffusional redistribution of fluorescent molecules within a polymer host. The active portion of the medium consists of a photopolymer doped with a fluorescent dye that is polymerized at the focal point of a high-numerical-aperture lens. We believe that as fluorescent molecules bond to the polymer matrix they become more highly concentrated in the polymerized regions, resulting in the modulated data pattern. Since data readout is based on detection of fluorescence rather than index modulation as in other photopolymer-based memories, the problems of media shrinkage and optical scatter are of less concern. An intensity threshold observed in the recording response of this material due to the presence of inhibitor molecules in the photopolymer allows for the three-dimensional confinement of recorded bits and therefore multilayer recording. The nonlinear recording characteristics of this material were investigated through a simple model of photopolymerization and diffusion and verified experimentally. Both single-layer and multilayer recordings were demonstrated.

Co-extruded multilayer films for high capacity optical data storage

“…Other materials such as Au nanorods 7 or organic photopolymers 18 have already shown potential for a one-photon initiated nonlinear or threshold response. Incorporation of such materials into the medium described would permit a 40 layer disc with 1 TB capacity in the standard commercial format.…”

Fluorescence control in natural green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based photonic structures of reef corals

“…To increase the storage data density, optical media using three dimensions (3D) was developed using polymers (Wang and Esener 2000;Gindre et al 2006). CD, DVD, Blu-ray discs, etc.)…”

Coherent Optical Information Systems

“…Both methods rely on the coherence properties of laser beams to accomplish the task. Localized recording (23)(24)(25) is achieved by using nonlinear optical recording materials. In this case, the optical properties at a particular point in 3D space (voxel) are altered only if the point is illuminated with light above a certain intensity threshold or with two beams simultaneously.…”