Glezer, E. N.Milosavljevic, M.Huang, L.Finlay, R. J.Her, T. -H.Callan, J. P.Mazur, Eric2010-02-121996Glezer, E. N., M. Milosavljevic, L. Huang, R. J. Finlay, T.-H. Her, J. P. Callan, and Eric Mazur. 1996. Three-dimensional optical storage inside transparent materials. Optics Letters 21(24): 2023-2025.0146-9592http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3634148We present a novel method for three-dimensional optical data storage that has submicrometer size resolution, provides a large contrast in index of refraction, and is applicable to a wide range of transparent materials. Bits are recorded by use of a 0.65-N.A. objective to focus 100-fs laser pulses inside the material. The laser pulse produces a submicrometer-diameter structurally altered region with high contrast in index of refraction. We record binary information by writing such bits in multiple planes and read it out with a microscope objective with a short depth of field. We demonstrate data storage and retrieval with 2-μm in-plane bit spacing and 15-μm interplane spacing (17 Gbits/cm^3). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show structural changes confined to an area 200 nm in diameter.en-USJournal Article10.1364/OL.21.002023