Three-dimensional optical memory using photoluminescence change in Sm-doped sodium borate glass

The feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) optical memory has been demonstrated by utilizing the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum change in a Sm-doped fluoride glass [K. Miura, J. Qiu, S. Fujiwara, S. Sakasuchi, and K. Hirao, Appl. Phys. Lett. 80 2263 (2002)]. We here report on a femtosecond laser-induced PL change in a Sm-doped sodium borate glass that is easier to synthesize and its potential application to 3D memory. Irradiation with a femtosecond pulsed laser (800 nm, 1 kHz, 100 fs) induced a PL peak near 682 nm, resulting from the photoreduction of the Sm ions. A multilayer pattern (bit size=1 μm,layer separation=8 μm) formed by femtosecond laser irradiation was read out by a reflection-type fluorescent confocal microscope, which detected the emission at 682 nm as a signal. High-contrast pattern images were obtained without crosstalk