Three dimensional recording (3DR) technology

In this paper, I discuss a new volumetric recording method capable of achieving ultra-high storage density while leveraging existing surface recording technology, thereby overcoming some of the shortcomings of holographic and layered recording. The three-dimensional recording (3DR) technology uses a novel optical imaging technique to store digital information throughout the third dimension, the depth, of storage media. A grating or plane wave hologram is recorded during a photochemical formatting process of the media in a highly controlled factory environment. Portions of the grating can then be erased during bit writing in the less controlled end-user drive environment with a conventional DVD-type optical stylus. Reading is achieved in the drive by detecting the erased bits with the same optical stylus at reduced laser power.