R&D: Holographic Storage Using Parallel-Aligned Liquid Crystal on Silicon Displays

IN TECH  has published, in Holographic Materials and Optical Systems book, an article written by Francisco J. Martínez Guardiola, Instituto de Física Aplicada a las Ciencias y las Tecnologías, Universidad de Alicante, Alacant, Spain, Andrés Márquez Ruiz, Sergi Gallego Rico, Roberto Fernández Fernández, Jorge Francés Monllor, Manuel Ortuño Sánchez, Inmaculada Pascual Villalobos and Augusto Beléndez Vázquez.

Schematic representation of experimental HDSS testing platform

Abstract: “The parallel-aligned liquid crystal on silicon (PA-LCoS) microdisplay has become a widely used device for the photonics community. It is a very versatile tool that can perform several tasks which transforms it into a key element in many different photonics applications. Since our group is interested in holography, in this chapter, we want to use these displays as the data entry point for a holographic data storage system (HDSS). Due to the novelty of this kind of device, we have done an intense work characterizing it. These efforts are reflected in this chapter where the reader will find two different characterization methods that will enable to predict the performance of the device in a specific application. Additionally, we present how a phase-only device can be used as a data pager using different modulation schemes and combined with a photopolymer as the holographic recording material.”