Effect of scattering noise on the data fidelity of holograms recorded in photorefractive crystals

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this paper a method is proposed to investigate how the scattering noise of photorefractive crystals influences the quality of an input data page in holographic storage. By illuminating the crystal under investigation with an intense coherent light beam, and measuring the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of an image formed through the crystal before and after the exposure, the loss of SNR provides a good assessment for the suitability of the crystal for data storage. A variety of doped lithium niobate crystals were investigated. The results show that the intensity of fanning light increases with increase of the doping concentration, but there is no strict correlation between the fanning strength and the fidelity degradation. Owing to the low noise and high data fidelity, iron-and- zinc co-doped lithium niobate crystal is a potential material for high-density holographic data storage.