System and method using linear translation to access data locations in a holographic memory

A method of steering a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of coherent light from a spatial light modulator to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC), comprising the steps of:

• receiving said incident beam of light from said spatial light modulator in a primary beam steering system that produces a resulting beam of light;
• traversing said resulting beam of light across a plane of said HMC in increments having a first magnitude;
• and
• translating said spatial light modulator relative to said primary beam steering system to cause said resulting beam of light to traverse said plane of said HMC in increments having a second magnitude smaller than said first magnitude.

A system for storing data, comprising:

• a coherent light source;
• a spatial light modulator located to modulate a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of coherent light having a space bandwidth product (SBP) of at least 100 received from said light source;
• a substantially planar holographic memory cell (HMC) for storing said data;
• a primary beam steering system that receives said modulated incident beam of coherent light from said spatial light modulator and produces a resulting beam of light, wherein said primary beam steering system traverses said resulting beam of light across a plane of said HMC in increments having a first magnitude;
• and
• a fine-control translation mechanism, coupled to said spatial light modulator, that translates said spatial light modulator relative to said primary beam steering system to cause said resulting beam of light to traverse said plane of said HMC in increments having a second magnitude smaller than said first magnitude.