System and method for holographic storage with optical folding

A method for directing an object beam in a holographic system to a storage medium comprising:

• encoding an object beam with data utilizing a pattern encoder;
• directing the encoded object beam to a fourier transform lens with focal length f1 from the pattern encoder through a prism, wherein the optical path length between the spatial light modulator and the fourier transform lens through the prism is equal to a back focal length BFL1;
• fourier transforming the encoded object beam to a holographic storage medium located a distance equal to a front focal length FFL1 from the fourier transform lens.

A method for directing a reconstruction beam in a holographic system to a detector array comprising:

• directing a reconstruction beam from a holographic storage medium to a fourier transform lens with focal length f2;
• and
• fourier transforming the light beam to a detector array located a distance equal to a back focal length BFL2 from the fourier transform lens, wherein the light beam is directed from the fourier transform lens to the detector array through a prism, wherein the optical path length between the fourier transform lens and the detector array though the prism is equal to a back focal length BFL2.