Holographic Imaging: Information Recording and Retrieval

Abstract

Classical holography has paved the way for synergies between communication theory and optics towards the development of volume holographic memories. Digital information can be encoded, modulated and stored as an optical interference pattern called a ‘hologram’ within a photosensitive material. The recording density is fundamentally linked to the material properties, strength of the hologram and the underlying noise statistics during information recording and retrieval. In this paper, a system level overview of a volume holographic memory is provided. Various sub-systems such as recording physics, media/optical components and coding/signal processing methods are discussed, and the viability of such memories as an archival storage alternative is assessed. New research problems of theoretical and practical interest relating to quantum holography are discussed.