ATHOS |
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Advanced Technology for Holographic Storage |
Project funded by the European Community under the "Information Society Technologies" Programme.
Optical memories are one of the most promising data storage technologies,
economically and technically. In 2002, around 500 million drives and 13 billion
disks have been manufactured. Optical memories ideally combine media
removability, random access and lowest media costs. However, the conventional
bit-wise recording technologies are facing the basic diffraction limitation,
which prevent to further increase the areal data density. A way to further boost
the effective data density is volumetric storage, which is a unique feature of
optics. Today holographic data storage is considered as the most promising
optical technology to achieve Terabyte storage systems around 2010. Thanks to
recent material and component technology advances, holographic data storage is
now a viable solution to efficiently use the volume of a storage material.
The objective of this project is to develop the technological basis for a
new-generation, high-capacity, compact and cost-effective holographic data
storage system. Specific key components such as laser sources, optical,
opto-electronic components, electronics and media substrates will be developed.
The proposed ATHOS project addresses the development of key components for a
holographic data storage system. In the past, limitations of recording materials
as well as high system costs caused by component restrictions and system
complexity have hindered the breakthrough of holographic data storage. However,
new component technologies and materials have recently stimulated research. This
project focuses on the development of missing critical components, which prevent
the massive breakthrough of holographic storage technologies for the consumer
market. Specific optical, optoelectronic components and a dedicated media disk
format will be developed for an improved collinear holography concept, which
avoids expensive, vibration sensitive drive designs commonly associated with
data-page holography. Conventional disk drive technology with small objective
lenses and focus/track servos will be adapted to reduce the drive costs
substantially.
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