Rewritable three-dimensional holographic data storage via optical forces
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Authors
Colleges, School and Institutes
External organisations
- Imperial College London
- Nanotechnology Laboratory
Abstract
The development of nanostructures that can be reversibly arranged and assembled into 3D patterns may enable optical tunability. However, current dynamic recording materials such as photorefractive polymers cannot be used to store information permanently while also retaining configurability. Here, we describe the synthesis and optimization of a silver nanoparticle doped poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) recording medium for reversibly recording 3D holograms. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate organizing nanoparticles into 3D assemblies in the recording medium using optical forces produced by the gradients of standing waves. The nanoparticles in the recording medium are organized by multiple nanosecond laser pulses to produce reconfigurable slanted multilayer structures. We demonstrate the capability of producing rewritable optical elements such as multilayer Bragg diffraction gratings, 1D photonic crystals, and 3D multiplexed optical gratings. We also show that 3D virtual holograms can be reversibly recorded. This recording strategy may have applications in reconfigurable optical elements, data storage devices, and dynamic holographic displays.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 061106 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 10 Aug 2016 |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 10 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Photonics, Nanotechnology , Holography, Optical Tweezers , Nanoparticles , Gratings