Volumetric optical storage with microholograms

Research activities and development paths toward a fully functional optical drive system based on the microholographic storage approach are presented. Our write/read system relies on a simple optical configuration where a single diffraction limited beam is used to generate subwavelength sized reflection holograms. Setups for microlocalized write/read operation and a media tester for flexible characterization of different recording materials are developed. Recent progress in dynamic multilayer recording of resolution limited microholographic lines is reported. We discuss the target specification and related conception of a microholographic storage system. Advanced system solutions allow for compensating the spherical aberration and limited diode laser coherence in a compact microholographic drive.