Apparatus for recording optical information

An optical information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information utilizing holography from an optical information recording medium having reflecting layer and information recording layer in which the information is recorded in the form of an interference pattern as a result of interference between information light having a wavelength selected from among a plurality of wavelengths and the information and reference light for recording having the wavelength selected from among a plurality of wavelengths, the apparatus comprising:

• an input means for inputting individual information that is unique to an individual;
• a wavelength selection means for selecting a wavelength of light illuminating the information recording layer from among a plurality of wavelength;
• a reproduction reference light generation means generating reference light for reproduction having the wavelength selected by the wavelength selection means, said reproduction reference light generation means including modulation means for spatially modulating the reference light for reproduction based on the individual information in a same manner in which the reference light for recording was modulated when the information was recorded in the form of an interference pattern as a result of using the reflecting layer as a reference plane to generate interference between the information light and the reference light for recording;
• a reproducing optical system, for illuminating the information recording layer with the reference light for reproduction on a same side of the information recording layer that is illuminated with the information light and the reference light for recording and for collecting reproduction light on the same side of the information recording layer that is illuminated with the reference light for reproduction;
• and
• a detection means for detecting the reproduction light collected by the reproducing optical system,
• wherein the reproducing optical system projects the reference light for reproduction and collects the reproduction light such that an optical axis of the reference light for reproduction and an optical axis of the reproduction light are located on a same line.

An optical information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information utilizing holography from an optical information recording medium having reflecting layer and information recording layer in which the information is recorded in the form of an interference pattern between information light carrying two dimensional digital pattern information and reference light for recording, the apparatus comprising:

• an input means for inputting individual information that is unique to an individual;
• a reference light generator that spatially modulates the light based on the individual information to generate reference light in a same manner in which the reference light for recording was modulated during recording the information in the form of an interference pattern as a result of using the reflecting layer as a reference plane to generate interference between the information light and the reference light for recording;
• and
• a reproducing optical system that illuminates, to a same side of the information recording layer that is illuminated with the information light and the reference light for recording during recording, the information recording layer with the reference light and collects, from the same side of the information recording layer that is illuminated with the reference light, reproduction light emanating from the information recording layer,
• wherein the reproducing optical system projects the reference light and collects the reproduction light such that an optical axis of the reference light and optical axis of the reproduction light are located on a same line.

An optical information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded holographically in an optical information recording medium having reflective layer and information recording layer, the apparatus comprising:

• an inputting device that inputs individual information that is unique to an individual;
• a reproduction reference light source that generates reproduction reference light, including a modulator that spatially modulates the reproduction reference light based on the individual information;
• and
• a reproducing optical system that projects the reproduction reference light to the information recording layer in which information was recorded in the form of an interference pattern as a result of using the reflecting layer as a reference plane to generate interference between information light and reference light for recording and collects reproduction light such that an optical axis of the reproduction reference light and an optical axis of the reproduction light are located on a same line.