DISADVANTAGES

The key component of any holographic data storage system is the angle at which the second reference beam is fired at the crystal to retrieve a page of data. It must match the original reference beam angle exactly. A difference of just a thousandth of a millimeter will result in failure to retrieve that page of data.

The recording mechanism for photopolymers also leads to some disadvantages, including shrinkage of the material wit polymerization and the possibility of nonlinear response. Both of these distort the reconstructed holograms and thus cause errors in decoding digital data.

On the other hand, holographic data storage currently suffers from the relatively high component and integration costs faced by any emerging technology. In contrast, magnetic hard drives, also known as direct access storage devices (DASD), are well established, with a broad knowledge base, infrastructure, and market acceptance.

Another important problem that arises is that the whole recording medium and apparatus should exhibit high degree of perfection. That is it should be able to even withstand the slightest of jerks.