Optical information recording/reproducing system

Abstract

An optical information recording/reproducing system includes a support member for removably supporting a volume holographic memory formed of a photorefractive crystal, and has a shape of a rotary member having a rotational symmetry axis, with plane surfaces perpendicular to the rotational symmetry axis formed at respective opposite ends thereof. The system also includes a reference beam-irradiating member for irradiating the volume holographic memory with a coherent reference beam having a first wavelength. The system also includes a signal beam-irradiating member for irradiating the volume holographic memory with a coherent signal beam which has the first wavelength and is modulated according to image data, to cause the signal beam to intersect with the reference beam within the volume holographic memory and thereby generate a refractive index grating of a three-dimensional optical interference pattern between the signal beam and the reference beam. The system also includes a member for detecting a diffracted light generated by irradiation of the reference beam on the refractive index grating of the optical interference pattern. The support member holds the volume holographic memory in a position allowing the signal beam to pass through the plane surfaces of the volume holographic memory at the respective opposite ends thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.