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How can holography be used for data storage and retrieval?

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hologram graphic — holography Figure 1: Gabor's original method for creating holograms.

Holography is a significant technology for data storage and retrieval, currently undergoing ongoing development and refinement.1

The primary advantage of using holography for this purpose is that the stored information is not localized on the recording medium. Because the data is distributed across the hologram, the storage system is highly resilient and cannot be easily compromised by surface damage, such as scratches or dust particles.1

Recent advancements in materials have further enhanced the potential of holographic optical memories, particularly through the development of media that are erasable and reusable. While holography is widely recognized for its image-forming capabilities, these non-image-forming applications in data storage represent a critical area of optical research.1