Optical 3D-storage in sol-gel materials with a reading by Optical Coherence Tomography-technique

We report on the recording of 3D optical memories in sol-gel materials by using a non-linear absorption effect. This effect induces a local change of the optical properties of the material which is read and quantified with a high resolution full-field Optical Coherence Tomography setup. It is the first time that this technique is used for this purpose. Data recording was performed by focused picosecond (ps) single-pulse irradiation at 1064 nm with energy densities of 10 and 33 J/cm2 per pulse.