Combination of free-space and guided-wave optical interconnects for angularly multiplexed multiwavelength holographic memory

We propose and test experimentally a new scheme to implement spatially multiplexed multiwavelength holographic memory. An electro-optically modulated phase grating array on LiNbO3 substrate is used as a guided-wave interconnect to activate the reconfigurable reference beam. The object beam is provided by free-space interconnect. An electro-optic modulation efficiency of 18 +/- 2.5% is achieved with an applied voltage of 100 V. The reference beams with different diffraction angles can implement the angle-multiplexing holographic recording. We believe this is the first report of the implementation of guided-wave electro-optic interconnect together with free-space interconnect in holographic memory applications. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.