Subwavelength detection with waveguides in optical recording

We present a study on the use of optical waveguides in readout units for optical recording. Optical waveguides can be used to increase the storage capacity of optical recording, which is limited by diffraction. Optical waveguides are attractive for application in readout units of optical recording systems because it is possible to make compact configurations where the amplitude and the phase of an optical signal can be detected. We propose a couple of different detection schemes for reading out data recorded in an optical disc using waveguides. The potential of these detection methods has been investigated using numerical calculations, which are presented and discussed.