A new mathematical method of determining the theoretical storage capacity of volume holographic memory systems has revealed an estimation two orders of magnitude lower than the previously predicted terabit-per-centimeter cube. Designed by Adil Lahrichi, a chief technical scientist for Fotonix in Boulder, Colo., the method anticipates the cumulative effect of system parameters such as bit error rate, data access speed and noise sources upon holographic memory systems, accounting for different complexities and architectures.

It also allows designers to analyze cost/functionality trade-offs in holographic memory construction. According to results reported in the November issue of Optical Engineering, a major bottleneck of information in such systems would be caused by electronic noise in detector arrays as opposed to optical noise produced in the memory medium.