INFLUENCE OF LASER PHASE AND FREQUENCY FLUCTUATIONS ON PHOTON-ECHO DATA ERASURE

Erasure of data stored by use of photon echoes has been investigated a s a function of data writing time and data storage time. The results c larify the requirements on laser phase and frequency stability for per forming photon-echo data erasure. The analysis of phase and frequency stability of a light source by the photon-echo erasure process is illu strated. A theoretical analysis emphasizing the physical processes tha t affect the erasure efficiency as well as an extensive discussion of possible error sources are given. Finally, an approach to bit-selectiv e photon-echo data erasure that is insensitive to laser phase and freq uency fluctuations is suggested. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America.