Holographic data storage in a DX-center material

We report on the optical storage of digital data in a semiconductor sample containing DX centers. The diffraction efficiency and the bit-error-rate performance of multiplexed data images are shown to agree well with a simple model of the material. Uniform storage without an exposure schedule is demonstrated. :The volume sensitivity is found to be similar to 10(3) times that of LiNBO3:Fe. The importance of coherent addition of scattered light with diffracted light in holographic data storage is discussed. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.