Abstract

Coherent transient optical data storage (CTODS),¹ the ability to store temporally complex optical waveforms in an inhomogeneously broadened absorber, has been performed in Doppler broadened gases²,³ and cryogenic solid state crystals.⁴ Two CTODS excitation schemes have previously been demonstrated: one in which the write and read pulses are temporally brief² and the other in which they are long frequency chirped pulses.³ The chirped pulse scheme has the advantage of requiring much lower peak laser power than the brief pulse scheme. All the demonstrations to date have been performed with pumped dye laser systems. We report here on the first demonstration of CTODS using a semiconductor laser—the preferred source for a practical system.

© 1990 Optical Society of America