Abstract: A block oriented solid state optical memory having a distributed data storage architecture comprises a lens array including a plurality of laterally separated lenslets which have numerical apertures selected to cause them to focus essentially diffraction limited images of a photoemitter array in parallel onto laterally displaced sections of a data mask, so that the images optically align with respective photosensors. The lenslets are formed on the first surface of the lens array, and the data mask is supported on or very close to the last surface of the lens array to minimize the scattering of reflected light. An opaque light shield on the first surface of the lens array optically masks the area between the lenslets to eliminate unwanted stray light. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments of the invention, the light shield extends into the apertures of the lenslets to stop them down sufficiently to obtain substantially diffraction limited performance.

Abstract: An acousto-optic device including an acousto-optic medium having a plurality of closely spaced transducers bonded thereto in a linear array. A signal of the same frequency is supplied to those transducers which are to diffract out or deflect elemental portions of a light beam incident upon the acousto-optic medium to thereby provide a plurality of light spots which can be written in parallel.

Abstract: An optical data recording system in which during recording the writing beam is made to move at the same velocity as the recording medium whereby motion blur is minimized or reduced. Movement of the writing beam at the same velocity as the recording medium is achieved by supplying a constantly varying frequency RF signal to an acousto-optic device which deflects (diffracts) the writing beam in accordance with the instantaneous frequency of the RF signal. The acousto-optic device can also be utilized to amplitude modulate the writing beam.