Anisotropic Plasmonic Metasurface for High-Density Optical Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical storage technologies face limitations in data storage density and efficiency due to the diffraction limit and space constraints, leading to high costs per GB and low throughput in data retrieval, as they approach the theoretical limit for storage density with single-bit information per readout.

Innovation Solution

The use of an anisotropic plasmonic metasurface (APM) system with nanoantennae that apply localized surface plasmon resonance to reflect specific wavelengths of light, allowing for high-density storage by encoding digital information in the orientation of nanoantennae and decoding through adjustable polarizer and analyzer angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional optical storage technologies increase storage density by downsizing and increasing numerical aperture, then storage density improves, but the system approaches the diffraction limit and space constraints are reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage densityVSAvoiddiffraction limit

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional 2D disk storage to 3D volumetric storage within a single disk by utilizing multiple depth planes. Each plane can store data independently at high density, and the system reads data by focusing light at different depths, effectively adding a third dimension to storage capacity without increasing the disk area or overcoming diffraction limits in the lateral plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage medium is divided into multiple independent depth planes, each capable of storing data separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall storage density by combining multiple planes, while each individual plane maintains manageable data density that does not approach the diffraction limit, enabling parallel readout operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional optical storage uses single-bit information per readout, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput in data retrieval is low

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidreadout process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables parallel readout of multiple data planes simultaneously by using multiple detectors that can read different depth planes at the same time. This continuous parallel processing significantly increases throughput compared to sequential single-bit readout, while the system complexity is managed through coordinated control of multiple light sources and detectors rather than requiring complex single-point scanning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If conventional optical storage increases the number of layers per disc, then storage capacity improves, but cost per GB increases and fabrication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidfabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple storage planes into a single integrated disk structure rather than using separate layers or disks. This unified approach allows all planes to be fabricated simultaneously using the same lithography process, avoiding the cumulative fabrication complexity that would arise from stacking multiple independent layers or discs, while achieving high storage capacity through the combined capacity of all planes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly enhances storage density and readout speed, surpassing Blu-ray technology with 50,000 dpi resolution and improved color diversity, enabling robust read-only data storage and encryption applications while minimizing the 'cross-talk' effect.

Implementation Method 1

The APM assembly by applying localized surface plasmon resonance is further configured to reflect light beam with selectable wavelengths associated with the predetermined orientations of the nanoantennae

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLocalized surface plasmon resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11656386B2Tunable plasmonic color device and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 PURDUE RES FOUND

AI summary

A plasmonic system is disclosed. The system includes at least one polarizer that is configured to provide at least one linearly polarized broadband light beam, an anisotropic plasmonic metasurface (APM) assembly having a plurality of nanoantennae each having a predetermined orientation with respect to a global axis representing encoded digital data, the APM assembly configured to receive the at least one linearly polarized broadband light beam and by applying localized surface plasmon resonance reflect light with selectable wavelengths associated with the predetermined orientations of the nanoantennae, and at least one analyzer that is configured to receive the reflected light with selectable wavelength, wherein the relative angles between each of the at least one analyzers and each of the at least one polarizers are selectable with respect to the global axis, thereby allowing decoding of the digital data.