Machine-learning optimization of data reading and writing

On a computing device, a method for encoding data on an optical data-storage medium, the method comprising:

• obtaining a first training-data set to train a data decoder, the first training-data set corresponding to a first data-writing parameter configuration and comprising images;
• using the first training-data set and corresponding ground-truth data, training a machine-learning function of the data decoder to decode data written with the first data-writing parameter configuration, the machine-learning function outputting a first labelled probability array corresponding to the first training-data set;
• obtaining a second training-data set to train the data decoder, the second training-data set corresponding to a second data-writing parameter configuration and comprising images;
• using the second training-data set and corresponding ground-truth data, training the machine-learning function of the data decoder to decode data written with the second data-writing parameter configuration, the machine-learning function outputting a second labelled probability array corresponding to the second training-data set;
• assessing, based on the first and second labelled probability arrays, a reliability of decoding data written with the first data-writing parameter configuration and a reliability of decoding data written with the second data-writing parameter configuration;
• selecting one of the first or second data-writing parameter configurations based on the reliabilities assessed of decoding data of at least the first and second training data sets;
• and
• writing data to the optical data-storage medium using the selected one of the first or second data-writing parameter configurations, wherein the data is encoded using an optical write beam and read using a beam of a predetermined polarization state, and wherein each corresponding data value differs with respect to a birefringence value, and
• wherein each element of the first and second labelled probability arrays corresponds to a possible data value and represents a probability that the corresponding possible data value matches an actual data value encoded in the optical storage medium.

An optical data storage and retrieval system comprising:

• an optical data-storage medium;
• and
• one or more logic devices configured to execute instructions to operate data decoder including a machine-learning function, the machine-learning function being
• trained (a) using a first training-data set corresponding to a first data-writing parameter configuration and corresponding ground-truth data, the machine-learning function being trained to decode data written with the first data-writing parameter configuration and configured to output a first labelled probability array corresponding to the first training-data set, the first training-data set comprising images;
• and
• trained (b) using a second training-data set corresponding to a second data-writing parameter configuration and corresponding ground-truth data, the machine-learning function being further trained to decode data written with the second data-writing parameter configuration and configured to output a second labelled probability array corresponding to the second training-data set, the second training-data set comprising images;
• wherein the first and second training-data sets are obtained by probing the data-storage medium with a read beam and concurrently imaging the data-storage medium, and wherein the one or more logic devices are further configured to execute instructions to:
• assess, based on the first and second labelled probability arrays, a reliability of decoding data written with the first data-writing parameter configuration and a reliability of decoding data written with the second data-writing parameter configuration;
• select one of the first or second data-writing parameter configurations based on the reliabilities assessed of decoding data of at least the first and second training data sets;
• and
• write data to the optical data-storage medium using the selected one of the first or second data-writing parameter configurations,
• wherein each element of the first and second labelled probability arrays corresponds to a possible data value and represents a probability that the corresponding possible data value matches an actual data value encoded in the optical storage medium.