Method and system for increasing holographic data storage capacity using irradiance-tailoring element

1. A method comprising:

(1) providing a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam is formed by contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator, and wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

(2) changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (2) is accomplished by imparting motion to an irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a holographic optical element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion in step (2) is imparted continuously.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irradiance profile of the data beam is altered prior to the data being modulated.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup minimized in step (2) are fixed-pattern autocorrelations.

6. A method comprising:

(1) providing a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam is formed by contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator, and wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

(2) changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (2) is accomplished by imparting motion to an irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element comprises random non-linear features.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup minimized in step (2) are fixed-pattern autocorrelations.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the motion in step (2) is imparted continuously.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the irradiance profile of the data beam is altered prior to the data beam being modulated.

11. A method comprising:

(1) contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator to thereby provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

(2) relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

(3) changing the irradiance profile of the relayed modulated data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing a plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (3) is accomplished by imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a holographic optical element.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the motion in step (3) is imparted continuously.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the irradiance profile of the data beam is altered prior to the data beam being modulated.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup minimized in step (3) are fixed-pattern autocorrelations.

16. A method comprising:

(1) contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator to thereby provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

(2) relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

(3) changing the irradiance profile of the relayed modulated data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing a plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (3) is accomplished by imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element comprises random non-linear features.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the irradiance profile of the data beam is altered prior to the data beam being modulated.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup minimized in step (3) are fixed-pattern autocorrelations.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the motion in step (3) is imparted continuously.

21. A system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume,

wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a holographic optical element.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optical element.

23. The system of claim 21 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.

24. A system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume,

wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element comprises random non-linear features.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optical element.

26. The system of claim 24 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.

27. A holographic recording system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile;

a holographic recording medium, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of the holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

means for relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the relayed data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a holographic optical element.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

29. The system of claim 27 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.

30. A holographic recording system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile;

a holographic recording medium, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of the holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

means for relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the relayed data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element comprises random non-linear features.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

32. The system of claim 30 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.

33. A method comprising:

(1) providing a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam is formed by contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator, and wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

(2) changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (2) is accomplished by imparting motion to an irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the data beam is modulated prior to the irradiance profile of the data beam being altered.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

35. The method of claim 33 , wherein the motion in step (2) is imparted continuously.

36. A method comprising:

(1) contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator to thereby provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

(2) relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

(3) changing the irradiance profile of the relayed modulated data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing a plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (3) is accomplished by imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the data beam is modulated prior to the irradiance profile of the data beam being altered.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

38. The method of claim 36 , wherein the motion in step (3) is imparted continuously.

39. A system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume,

wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is positioned at the same plane as the data modulator.

40. The system of claim 39 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optical element.

41. The system of claim 39 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.

42. A holographic recording system comprising:

an irradiance-tailoring element;

a data modulator;

an object beam contacting the irradiance-tailoring element and the data modulator to provide a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile;

a holographic recording medium, wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of the holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup;

means for relaying the modulated data beam so as to interfere with a reference beam to thereby form at least one hologram in the same or similar volume; and

means for changing the irradiance profile of the relayed data beam after forming the at least one hologram to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein the irradiation profile changing means comprises means for imparting motion to the irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium,

wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and

wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is positioned at the same plane as the data modulator.

43. The system of claim 42 , wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a caustic-shaping optic element.

44. The system of claim 42 , wherein the motion imparting means imparts motion continuously.