Performance comparison of amplitude object and phase object recording in LiNbO3 crystal

We proposed a novel optical geometry for holographic data storage in which a phase input pattern was involved. The input phase pattern was derived from an amplitude pattern by iterative Fourier transform algorithm. Two important parameters of reconstructed images, diffraction efficiency and image quality, were discussed and measured. Our geometry exhibited uniform holographic recording as well as uniform erasing. Moreover, the loss of light due to absorption in the input pattern was minimized. The little light loss also ensured a higher diffraction efficiency of the reconstructed image.