title: Experimental study of the effects of a six-level phase mask on a digital holographic storage system.
abstract: We measure the M/# and the bit-error rate of a digital holographic storage system with a 4f optical arrangement for three configurations: recording at the Fourier plane with and without a phase mask and recording outside the Fourier plane without a phase mask. Unexpectedly, no significant change in the dynamic range was observed when a phase mask was used to record in thick crystals. However, we show that a phase mask is a key component in a 4f digital holographic storage system if high-fidelity holograms with optimum volumetric density are to be stored.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bernal
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coufal
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoffnagle
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shelby
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quintanilla