Applications of Next Generation Optical Data Storage Technologies

In recent years, there have been many research studies focusing on next generation optical data storage technologies, such as near-field recording and holographic data storage systems. Many studies from several disciplines have been perfoed and merged to realize of the next generation optical data storage. The technologies that have been developed for optical data storage are also essential for the other research areas. These technologies can be widely applied to various fields, such as near-field optics-based microscopy, small-sized imaging systems, plasmonic nanolithography using a solid immersion lens (SIL) and a nanoscale aperture, and bio-applications. In this paper, the applications and concepts of the next generation of optical storage technologies are discussed.