At the ODS 2004 international conference of optical storage technology held in Monterey, Calif, Optware Corp exhibited for the first time a recording and playback device for holographic media and an optical pickup device. Optware has been aiming for the practical application of its technology called "polarized collinear holography," which enables a more simple optical system than conventional holographic recording and playing devices. With this technology, the "signal beam" and "reference beam" used for the recording and playing of holographic media can be directed to the disc with just one objective lens.

Optware already has commercialized an evaluation system for holographic recording media using polarized collinear holography technology. It also presented media evaluation results at the ODS 2003 held last year.

The recording and playback characteristics are quite good, enough to say that practical application is well within reach, according to the company. When data is not "overlapped" to increase the storage density with holographic recording technology, the bit error rate is sufficiently low at less than 10-6.

The company hopes to introduce a commercial product for business use that can record 200GB to 300GB on a 12 centimeter disc by the summer of 2005. After the device for business use, Optware is looking to ship a consumer device for home use and playback-only media by 2006.