Data detection for the P-SLAM optical data storage system

This paper presents an intersymbol interference (ISI) and system noise analysis of the P-SLAM (parallel-sub-lambda) optical data storage system. Data are stored in sub-wavelength features accessed by transmitting light through the structure and collecting optical power measurements in the near-field. The non-linear ISI caused by the interactions of light between these features is characterized using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. A system noise analysis is also presented that quantifies the effects of imperfections in fabrication and material properties. Previously, the authors proposed a detection scheme that dealt with the non-linear ISI by physically reducing it with air gaps. In this paper a signal processing method, the Viterbi algorithm, is proposed to overcome ISI. A modification is proposed to the Viterbi algorithm that is designed to deal with both the non-linear ISI and system noise. System simulations are used to show the uncoded bit error rate of the system is similar to current technologies. Conservative predictions estimate a data density of 5 Gbits/cm2 for the system which exceeds densities achievable by current optical technologies.