A New Optical Storage System with Terabit-Per-Second Readout

70108S02-II There is an ever-increasing need for storage of larger quantities of data and for more rapid readout. Both government and private users have archives holding terabytes of data, primarily on tape, which require large storage space, have limited lifetime, and cannot be accessed quickly. This project will develop a new approach to data storage that could hold 3-5 x 1011 bits/cm3 of information. The bits, both written and read with lasers, are stored as connections between optical waveguides, so the storage is volumetric but the access is at the surface. In Phase I, waveguide structures, 3 microns in width, were fabricated and tested; the technology of forming them was refined; and writing of data was demonstrated. The coupling between crossed waveguides was analyzed, and the high-density-storage disk fabrication was revised for much faster writing. In Phase II, the waveguides will be reduced in size to 1 micron, both reading and writing from the edge will be demonstrated, and waveguide structures on tape will be rolled to demonstrate the fabrication technology. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described awardee: A new data storage system with very rapid readout should have application to the maintenance and use of large databases (particularly image databases such as in medical, scientific, government, and military environments) and to the mass recording of large digital video information for the entertainment industry.