Influence of the information carrier nonlinearity on the density of information recorded in optical memories

An analysis is made of the influence of the information carrier nonlinearity on the density of information recorded in a discrete manner in optical memories. It is shown that the use of nonlinear and threshold light-sensitive materials as information carriers can increase the recording density and the signal/noise ratio in the reproduction of the recorded information. It is reported that information can be recorded at a density of 10⁸ bit/cm² by helium-neon laser radiation in a nonlinear light-sensitive material based on a chalcogenide glass.