Pixel size limit in holographic memories

The bandwidth of holographic recording in LiNbO3 (Fe doped) in the 90 degrees geometry is studied theoretically and experimentally. The wide holographic bandwidth of LiNbO3 makes it possible to record submicrometer pixels and reconstruct them by phase conjugation in a holographic memory system. This approach reduces the system cost and increases the system storage density. We demonstrate the recording and the phase-conjugate reconstruction of various pixel sizes down to 1 mu m X 1 mu m. The signal-noise ratio and the bit-error rate are examined. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.