High density optical data storage
First Claim
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1. A data storage apparatus comprising:
- (1) an array of optical fibers, the array having a first end and a second end, wherein(a) the first end of the array comprises multiple optical fiber ends, each optical fiber end having an end face adapted for receiving light of a wavelength λ
into the fiber for conveyance to the second end of the fiber array; and
(b) the second end of the array comprises multiple tapered optical fiber tips, each tapered optical fiber end having a minimum diameter less than λ
;
(2) an opaque coating covering a portion of the tapered optical fiber tips;
(3) a photochromic medium located within a distance λ
of the second end of the array, and(4) a means for directing light of the wavelength λ
selectively into individual optical fibers of the array at the first end of the array.
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Abstract
A data storage apparatus includes an array of optical fibers. The array has a first end and a second end. The first end of the array includes multiple optical fiber ends, each optical fiber end having an end face adapted for receiving light of a wavelength λ into the fiber for conveyance to the second end of the fiber array. The second end of the array includes multiple tapered optical fiber tips, each tapered optical fiber end having a minimum diameter less than λ. An opaque coating covers a portion of the tapered optical fiber tips. The data storage apparatus also includes a photochromic medium located within a distance λ of the second end of the array.
47 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A data storage apparatus comprising:
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(1) an array of optical fibers, the array having a first end and a second end, wherein (a) the first end of the array comprises multiple optical fiber ends, each optical fiber end having an end face adapted for receiving light of a wavelength λ
into the fiber for conveyance to the second end of the fiber array; and(b) the second end of the array comprises multiple tapered optical fiber tips, each tapered optical fiber end having a minimum diameter less than λ
;(2) an opaque coating covering a portion of the tapered optical fiber tips; (3) a photochromic medium located within a distance λ
of the second end of the array, and(4) a means for directing light of the wavelength λ
selectively into individual optical fibers of the array at the first end of the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A data storage apparatus comprising:
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(1) an array of optical fibers, the array having a first end and a second end, wherein (a) the first end of the array comprises multiple optical fiber ends, each optical fiber end having an end face adapted for receiving light of a wavelength λ
into the fiber for conveyance to the second end of the fiber array; and(b) the second end of the array comprises multiple tapered optical fiber tips, each tapered optical fiber end having a minimum diameter less than λ
;(2) an opaque coating covering a portion of the tapered optical fiber tips; (3) a photochromic medium located within a distance λ
of the second end of the array;(4) a laser for generating light of wavelength λ and
directing such light into the array of optical fibers; and(5) a light detector positioned such that the photochromic medium is positioned between the light detector array and the array of optical fibers, wherein the light detector comprises pixels with each pixel being associated with an optical fiber of the array and wherein an area of each pixel is more than about 100 times greater than an area of the associated optical fiber'"'"'s tapered optical fiber end. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of optically storing multiple data bits in parallel, the method comprising:
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creating light having a wavelength λ
; anddirecting light of wavelength λ
into first ends of selected individual optical fibers of an array of multiple co-axially arranged optical fiber, such that the light is conveyed to second ends of the optical fibers, from which the light exits and impinges on a photochromic medium whose optical properties can be altered by light of wavelength λ
, wherein the second tapered ends have a minimum diameter less than λ and
are positioned within a distance λ
of the photochromic medium. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method of optically reading multiple data bits in parallel, the method of comprising:
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directing light of a first wavelength λ
1 into multiple first ends of individual optical fibers of an array of multiple co-axially arranged optical fibers, the individual optical fibers having second tapered ends with a minimum diameter less than λ
1 and being positioned within a distance λ
1 of a photochromic medium whose optical properties can be altered by light of a second wavelength λ
2 wherein λ
2 is not equal to λ
1 ;
measuring an optical property of the photochromic medium representing a digital data bit at a location under each of the second tapered ends of the optical fibers; and determining whether each data bit represents a “
1”
or a “
0”
based on the measurement of the optical properties. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification