Multilayer optical data storage is a promising approach for realizing terabyte-capacity media for applications in enterprise archival data storage. We report on our highly scalable roll-to-roll co-extrusion manufacturing process for producing multilayer films with nanoscale active layers with easy fabrication into optical discs. We describe the optical pickup unit for dynamic testing at commercial speeds as well as results on writing and reading an eight-layer disc. Tests indicate that our materials are capable of high-fidelity recording with low, commercial-appropriate media noise. Prospects for commercialization of our technology for long-lived active-archive applications are described.

We have investigated the storage density for the intensity-modulated and phase-modulated signals by using a holographic simulator. In our simulation, the diffracted image was calculated considering two important aspects in actual holographic data storage systems. One is the aperture inserted in the signal optical path, and the other is the oblique hologram shape formed in the recording medium. Our numerical simulation revealed that 8-level phase-modulated multivalued signal increases the storage density by a factor of 2.4 compared to the intensity binary signals. We also report on our recent studies for designing a signal pattern to increase the storage density.

This conference presentation was prepared for the Ultra-High-Definition Imaging Systems VI conference at SPIE OPTO, 2023.

This conference presentation was prepared for the Ultra-High-Definition Imaging Systems VI conference at SPIE OPTO, 2023.

Low birefringence polymers are required for higher quality displays and optical lenses. Alternating copolymerization has revealed a nonlinear relationship between photoelastic birefringence and the copolymerization ratio. Zero birefringence polymers could be produced using a combination of monomers that alternate copolymerization, which was not considered to exhibit zero birefringence in random copolymerization. We demonstrated that the new birefringence control method enables control of novel optical properties by simple alternating copolymerization, that could not be achieved by conventional design methods.

A Random Depolarization Film (RDF), a polymer film doped with birefringent microparticles, randomizes polarization of the light. This study analyzed depolarization effects of the RDF that contribute to realizing real-color displays. The first effect is to decrease a degree of polarization, which resolves a blackout problem of the displays viewed through polarized sunglasses. The second effect is to minimize the wavelength dependence of the depolarization, which improves a color change of the displays viewed through the polarized sunglasses. The third effect is to minimize the viewing-angle dependence of the depolarization. The displays with the RDF hardly shows any color change at wide viewing angles.

Meta-lens is an emerging optical device which composed of artificial nanostructures can freely manipulate the phase and amplitude of light. Meta-lenses show excellent performance and novel applications to meet the optical demands. The fascinating advantages of meta-lenses are their new properties, lighter weight, small size, high efficiency, better performance, broadband operation, lower energy consumption, data volume reduction, and CMOS compatibility for mass production. We demonstrate an intelligent depth-sensing system prototype applicable for diverse scenes, a switchable stereo vision system that adopts a 60 × 60 achromatic meta-lens array to measure depth over a 30 cm range with the support of deep learning. This system combines a light field camera and a structured light system to adapt to all light levels. The design, application, and experimental verification of the intelligent depth-sensing meta-device are reported in this talk.

Optical transmission is becoming common technology for high-data transmission not only for telecom/datacom but for consumer electronics. There are a lot of types of optical transmission such as embedded optics (On Board Optics, CPO (Co-packaged Optics)), Pluggable optics and Active optical cables. Most of them are based on glass or silicon materials. On the other hand, Nitto have been developing new types of products for optical transmission, Plastic Optical Fiber and Optical waveguide with Flexible Printed Circuit (OFPC) based on polymer technology. In this presentation, I would like to introduce them and explain how our technologies will contribute to implementing optical communication in wider market.

Near-Infrared (NIR) Light-Induced Self-Written (LISW) waveguide technique is a promising candidate for the practical realization of a passive alignment between telecommunication and silicon photonics devices. LISW waveguide can be realized by irradiation of CW NIR laser with microwatt power. In this paper, recent progress of NIR LISW waveguide technique is presented for future multichannel coupling.

As ultrahigh data rates move into new applications, including UHD video and data centers, optical transmission solutions become attractive at increasingly short distances. In recent years, Active Optical Cables (AOCs) have been developed with Plastic Optical Fibers (POF) to meet these needs. In this talk, I will discuss new approaches to POF AOCs, aimed at minimizing the cost and adding new performance capabilities to AOCs.

A large-size, flexible and see-through 3D head-up display is presented. A practical 3D curved display of size 20cm x 20cm capable of reconstructing 3D scenes upto a depth of 5cm from the display at viewing angle of 20-degrees has been realized. This is a light field type display system which requires only a commercial projector and hologram screen for its working. The hologram screen is a digitally printed volume hologram which includes multiple functions such as, micro lens array, vertical tilt and horizontal curvature. These multiple functions on a single hologram screen assists in overcoming several major issues in realizing large-size and flexible 3D light field displays.