Abstract: Techniques are provided for using a multi-stage actuator to actuate one or more optical components of an optical head. The multi-stage actuator includes a cross-layer displacement component which actuates an optical component to change the beam focus in a displacement range corresponding to the thickness of the data layers in a holographic disk, such that a beam is impinged on the target data layer. The multi-stage actuator also includes a intra-layer focusing component which actuates the optical component in a smaller range to focus the beam on the target data position. The cross-layer displacement component and the intra-layer focusing component may each include more than one actuator. In some embodiments, the focusing component also actuates the optical component in a tilting motion to compensate for movement or imperfections of the disk during a reading or recording process.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling the reading of optical data from a master disk in a holographic replication system. Imperfections in the master disk or movement of the disk during a recording process may cause source beams to deviate from target data tracks. In some embodiments, a detector system is used to determine the focus and alignment of the source beams on the master disk, as well as the tilt and rotation of the disk with respect to the holographic replication system. The detector system may detect deviations in the intensity distribution of the reflections of the source beams and generate an error signal corresponding to focusing, tracking, tilt, and/or rotational errors. Servo-mechanical devices may actuate optical components to compensate for such errors.