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Monday 26th April 2004

Holograms make light work of 300GB 12:04PM, Monday 26th April 2004

There has been another advance for the use of holographic media - the Japanese company Optware has prototyped what it describes as the first recording and playback device using holographic principles.

At ODS 2004 - the international conference of optical storage technology held in Monterey, California - Optware has been exhibiting its new optical discs. Measuring 12cm across, up to 300GB of data can be stored, reports North

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East Asia Online.

Not that there is a finished system about to hit shop shelves, although Optware describes its latest advance as 'more of a semi-finished product than a mockup'.

Initially the Optware holographic storage will be aimed at business users, with first products expected to ship by summer 2005. A consumer-oriented device for playback only is then scheduled to appear in 2006.

Holography is based around light interference patterns. Optware, however, has apparently simplified the process with its collinear system, so that the 'signal beam' and 'reference beam' can be directed to the holographic disc with just one lens. The company maintains that the recording and playback characteristics are good enough to support practical applications.

You can find more information on the Optware website.

Alun Williams

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