A -- Optical Data Storage Using Optically Stimulated Luminescence

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle Memorial Institute under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy, solicits interest from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. PNNL may also be available to licensee(s) to assist in further research and development of the technology under a sponsored research agreement or CRADA program. The Technology: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers have developed technology for encoding high-density data using an optical technique. The technology involves a readout and encoding scheme that permits the permanent storage of data in grayscale in physical dimensions of well under 1 micron. Grayscale encoding permits storage of multiple bits of information at each storage location and dramatically increasing storage densities. Estimates of potential storage densities are 10 times those of a DVD. A laboratory demonstration of direct alphanumeric encoding was accomplished with 2.5 micron letters and 250 nm thick lines. The readout of the data can be accomplished using inexpensive light sources and CCD devices. Other potential advantages of the media are robustness of storage and high data transfer rates. Media lifetimes are potentially thousands of years making this a candidate for data archiving. Data transfer rates are estimated at 1014, exceeding even holographic storage. Any company interested in licensing this technology must respond with a letter of interest (may be submitted by e-mail) summarizing the company's business and technical expertise and motivation for pursuing this opportunity. Companies deemed appropriate will be provided with further information on the technology. Such information may require an executed Nondisclosure Agreement. Respondents wishing to enter into negotiations for a commercial license will be required to submit a business plan for the commercialization of the technology prior to licensee(s) selection and negotiations. Please send letters of interest to the attention of the POC identified within this Notice.