High-security-level multi-dimensional optical storage medium: nanostructured glass embedded with LiGa(5)O(8): Mn(2+) with photostimulated luminescence

The launch of the big data era puts forward challenges for information preservation technology, both in storage capacity and security. Herein, a brand new optical storage medium, transparent glass ceramic (TGC) embedded with photostimulated LiGa(5)O(8): Mn(2+) nanocrystals, capable of achieving bit-by-bit optical data write-in and read-out in a photon trapping/detrapping mode, is developed. The highly ordered nanostructure enables light–matter interaction with high encoding/decoding resolution and low bit error rate. Importantly, going beyond traditional 2D optical storage, the high transparency of the studied bulk medium makes 3D volumetric optical data storage (ODS) possible, which brings about the merits of expanded storage capacity and improved information security. Demonstration application confirmed the erasable–rewritable 3D storage of binary data and display items in TGC with intensity/wavelength multiplexing. The present work highlights a great leap in photostimulated material for ODS application and hopefully stimulates the development of new multi-dimensional ODS media.