Optical memory element

• Main Author: GUDESEN; HANS GUDE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.05.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: INFORMATION STORAGE; INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORDCARRIER AND TRANSDUCER; PHYSICS; STATIC STORES

PCT No. PCT/NO96/00308 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 29, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 29, 1998 PCT Filed Dec. 23, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/24715 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 10, 1997An optical memory element (ME) wherein data are written and read by light incident to the memory element constitutes an integral unit crated by a transparent body. The body includes a light-focusing part and at least one light-sensitive layer, and the light-focusing part focuses the incident light on the light-sensitive layer. In a first method for production of such an optical memory element (ME) the transparent body can be formed from a material with a high refractive index or refractive index gradient, and the light-sensitive layer is formed by the addition of a light-sensitive material by coating or diffusion. In an alternative method for production of the memory element (ME) a transparent body of a material with a low refractive index or refractive index gradient may be employed, and the light-sensitive layer can be formed on the outside of a transparent cladding layer which is placed on the outside of the body. An optical memory module (MM) can be obtained by linking two or more memory elements (ME) in a large assembly, the individual memory elements being arranged immobilized in relation to one another in a two-dimensional surface. A memory module (MM) of this kind which includes two or more memory elements (ME) can be produced from a matrix by moulding, casting or stamping in a continuous or discontinuous process or a mixture of such processes.