Title :
Holographic random access memory (HRAM)
Author :
Chuang, Ernest ; Liu, Wenhai ; Drolet, Jean-Jacques P. ; Psaltis, Demetri
Author_Institution :
California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
fDate :
11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We examine the present state of holographic random access memory (HRAM) systems and address the primary challenges that face this technology, specifically size, speed, and cost. We show that a fast HRAM system can be implemented with a compact architecture by incorporating conjugate readout, a smart-pixel array, and a linear array of laser diodes. Preliminary experimental results support the feasibility of this architecture. Our analysis shows that in order for the HRAM to become competitive, the principal tasks will be to reduce spatial light modulator (SLM) and detector pixel sizes to 1 μm, increase the output power of compact visible-wavelength lasers to several hundred milliwatts, and develop ways to raise the sensitivity of holographic media to the order of 1 cm/J
Keywords :
holographic storage; integrated memory circuits; random-access storage; semiconductor laser arrays; semiconductor lasers; spatial light modulators; compact architecture; compact visible-wavelength lasers; conjugate readout; cost; detector pixel sizes; fast HRAM system; holographic media sensitivity; holographic random access memory; linear laser diode array; output power; size; smart-pixel array; spatial light modulator; speed; Diode lasers; Holography; Interference; Optical arrays; Phased arrays; Power generation; Power lasers; Random access memory; Saturation magnetization; Semiconductor laser arrays;
Journal_Title :
Proceedings of the IEEE
