| 摘要 |
The invention provides a high capacity three-dimensional, optically-addressed storage device (1) comprising multiple juxtaposed storage layers (3, 4, 5) from which digital data stored in any given layer can be rapidly and reliably retrieved despite the presence of data stored in other layers and, in particular, the extreme proximity of data stored in neighbouring layers. In order to retrieve information stored in the device, interrogating radiation is projected through the device orthogonally to the layers, possibly in a flood beam but preferably in a beam defined by means of an electronic mask, such as a TFT array or a liquid crystal device. In any event, the interrogating beam is repeatedly refocussed during its passage through the device to reduce retrieval errors associated with beam spreading. The given layer is selected by illumination with a selecting beam of radiation projected across the layer in question, to interact with optically sensitive material deposited at selected digital storage locations in the layer, so as to cause that material to absorb the radiation of the interrogating beam significantly more strongly than it does in the absence of the radiation of the selecting beam.
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