Shanghai Naguang Information Technology Corporation

Yaoyu Cao

Min Gu

Xiangping Li

Benjamin Mashford

Zongsong Gan

Haoran Ren

Qiming Zhang

Provided are media, systems and methods for optical data storage. A nanocomposite material for use as an optical data recording medium comprises nanoparticles embedded in a host matrix, wherein the host matrix comprises a material having a high structural stability, and the nanoparticles comprise optical functional components having a first physical or chemical state and a property of permanent transition to a second physical or chemical state upon exposure to corresponding optical radiation, whereby information may be recorded in the first and second physical or chemical states of the optical functional components over an extended time period.

Media, systems and methods for optical data storage

Methods and apparatus for recording and retrieval of optically readable data employ a recording medium () which comprises an optically active material () able to induce a change in properties of the medium in the presence of optical radiation having a first characteristic, such as a first optical frequency, and wherein the change in properties can be inhibited by optical radiation having a second characteristic, such as a second optical frequency. During recording, a region of the recording medium () is irradiated with a first beam () of optical radiation having the first characteristic, the beam having a sufficient intensity within a central portion of the irradiated region and being of sufficient duration to cause an optically induced change in properties of the recording medium. Simultaneously, the region of the recording medium () is irradiated with a second beam () of optical radiation having the second characteristic, the second beam having a local intensity minimum within the central portion of the irradiated region, and a local intensity maximum in at least one portion of the irradiated region adjacent to the central portion which is sufficient to inhibit the optically induced change in properties of the recording medium. A similar method is employed for retrieval, however the intensity of the first beam () is reduced to prevent changes in material properties within the recording medium ().

Method and system for optical data storage

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Yaoyu Cao