Abstract:
System and method for parallel selection and retrieval of data stored in an optical data storage medium. A holographic data storage medium has a plurality of data sites, each data site containing a plurality of data units recorded as multiplexed holograms. A plurality of light beams are independently controlled to illuminate a different one of the plurality of data sites for selecting and retrieving any one data unit stored at each of the plurality of data sites. The invention enables the simultaneous selection and retrieval of data units stored at a plurality of data sites of the holographic data storage medium, and permits an increase in optical data transfer rate.