Image-based numerical evaluation techniques in volume holographic memory systems

A simulation technique for a volume holographic memory system based on binary page data is proposed to evaluate quantitative diffraction efficiency, bit error rate, and signal-to-noise ratio. In this simulator, propagation of a signal and reference beams and diffraction at gratings are calculated quantitatively by use of numerical Fresnel propagation and Kogelnik's coupled-wave theory. To apply Kogelnik's wave theory to arbitrary signal and reference beams, both beams at the hologram plane are decomposed into plane waves. Numerical results show good agreement with the exact solution under the Born approximation in a transmission-type volume hologram. We also apply the simulator to reflection-type holographic memory. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.