title: Three-dimensional optical storage inside transparent materials.
abstract: We present a novel method for three-dimensional optical data storage that has submicrometer size resolution, provides a large contrast in index of refraction, and is applicable to a wide range of transparent materials. Bits are recorded by use of a 0.65-N.A. objective to focus 100-fs laser pulses inside the material. The laser pulse produces a submicrometer-diameter structurally altered region with high contrast in index of refraction. We record binary information by writing such bits in multiple planes and read it out with a microscope objective with a short depth of field. We demonstrate data storage and retrieval with 2-microm in-plane bit spacing and 15-microm interplane spacing (17 Gbits/cm(3)). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show structural changes confined to an area 200 nm in diameter.
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Glezer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milosavljevic
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Finlay
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Her
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Callan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mazur