US4998236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for high density holographic optical data storage
Assignee: Sparta Inc
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Filing: 1988-08-25
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Granted: 1991-03-05
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Expires: 2008-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for writing and reading data provide storage in a volume of memory material consisting of inhomogenously broadened absorption centers such that a beam of electromagnetic radiation controlled to be independently steered and simultaneously shifted in wavelength can access information stored in four independent dimensions, three spatial and one spectral. The memory medium can be utilized to write and read a selectable connection matrix between two completely populated two-dimensional memory planes.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip D. Henshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:21
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/004; G11B7/0065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An optical data storage system for writing and reading data into and out of a storage medium, the system comprising storage means for storing holographic representations of data in (N+1) independent dimensions where N is an integer equal to or greater than three, and read/write means for reading and writing data into and out of said storage means in (N+1) independent dimensions, where N is an integer equal to or greater than three, said read/write means including light beam means for generating a light beam having a controllable wavelength, beamsteering means for steering said light beam in at least (n-2) dimensions, said beamsteering means including first spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam, responsive to applied electrical control signals, for writing said data, and second spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam, in response to applied optical control signals, for writing said data, and wavelength control means for controlling the wavelength of said light beam, wherein said wavelength corresponds to an (N+1)th dimension of said holographic representations of data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An optical data storage system for writing and reading data into and out of a storage medium, the system comprising storage means for storing holographic representations of data in (N+1) independent dimensions where N is an integer equal to or greater than three, and read/write means for reading and writing data into and out of said storage means in (N+1) independent dimensions, where N is an integer equal to or greater than three, said read/write means including light beam means for generating a light beam having a controllable wavelength, beamsteering means for steering said light beam in at least (n-2) dimensions, said beamsteering means including first spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam, responsive to applied electrical control signals, for writing said data, and second spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam, in response to applied optical control signals, for writing said data, and wavelength control means for controlling the wavelength of said light beam, wherein said wavelength corresponds to an (N+1)th dimension of said holographic representations of data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means includes a polymer exhibiting inhomogenous spectral broadening of optical absorption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means includes a multiple quantum well semiconductor material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical interconnection system for storing an interconnection matrix for selectably interconnecting an input memory plane and an output memory plane, each plane having a set of memory cells arranged in two dimensions, the system comprising storage means for storing holographic representations of interconnection-specifying data patterns in at least four independent dimensions, single wavelength writing laser means, tunable to plural, discrete wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a respective discrete sector of the output plane, for writing said data patterns into said storage means, and multiple wavelength reading laser means, capable of generating a light beam of multiple wavelengths, for reading said data patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An optical interconnection system for storing an interconnection matrix for selectably interconnecting an input memory plane and an output memory plane, each plane having a set of memory cells arranged in two dimensions, the system comprising storage means for storing holographic representations of interconnection-specifying data patterns in at least four independent dimensions, single wavelength writing laser means, tunable to plural, discrete wavelengths, each wavelength corresponding to a respective discrete sector of the output plane, for writing said data patterns into said storage means, and multiple wavelength reading laser means, capable of generating a light beam of multiple wavelengths, for reading said data patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said storage means includes a polymer exhibiting inhomogenous spectral broadening of optical absorption.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said storage means includes a multiple quantum well semiconductor material which exhibits quantum conduction electron confinement, for creating narrow spectral absorption.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
A system according to claim 4, further including first input spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam for reading and writing data patterns to and form said input memory plane in response to applied electrical control signals, second input spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam for reading and writing data patterns to and from said input memory plane in response to applied optical control signals, first output spatial light modulator means for spatially modulating said light beam for reading and writing data patterns to and from said output memory plane in response to applied electrical control signals, second output spatial light modulator means, including plural spectral filters, for spatially modulating said light beam, for reading and writing data patterns to and from said output memory plane in response to applied optical control signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |