Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in: a) when launching a diagnostic phase, in selecting the data (Xi) which have a specific value (Xip), b) for each selected data (Xi), finding the group (X8i) of data from which said specific value (Xip) taken by the data (Xi) is likely to originate, c) creating a list (X8) of data contained in the intersection of said groups (X8i) of data, and d) analyzing said list (X8) to identify the element(s) of the set whereof an operating fault from which said specific values taken by said data (Xi) originate.

Abstract: A method for storing data in a holographic storage medium comprises the steps of dividing a bit stream of binary data into data groups, encoding the data groups as binary patterns, and storing the binary patterns holographically as data pages. Each binary pattern comprises channel bits, wherein the number of “off” channel bits is greater than the number of “on” channel bits. To retrieve information from the storage medium, the medium is illuminated and resultant light signals are gathered. The light signals are converted to the binary patterns, and the binary patterns are converted to the data groups. Binary patterns stored in the storage medium only slightly perturb subsequent reading and writing of data, since the patterns have fewer “on” channel bits than “off” channel bits.

Abstract: A holographic storage and retrieval system for use in co-propagating or counter-propagating geometries having a common optical relay for guiding a signal beam and a reference beam along a common optical axis to a holographic medium to write a hologram therein. The optical relay has an object region imaging quality such that at least 65% and preferably at least 80% of the nominal luminous energy from object pixels is encompassed or "ensquared" by the corresponding image pixels. Additionally, the optical relay has a high total numerical aperture (N.A.) of about 0.83, a pixel N.A. of approximately 0.04 for the signal beam. The system of the invention can be used with holographic storage media in the form of disks, tapes or bulk holographic crystals.

Abstract: A method for holographic data storage comprises the step of formatting a page with calibration marks as well as data patterns representing data. The page is then stored in a holographic storage medium. A method for holographic data retrieval comprises the step of detecting locations of the calibration marks. A mathematical function is fitted to the locations, and the function is used to compensate for distortion in the detected image of the page. In the preferred embodiment, the calibration marks are also used to generate an inverse point spread function that is used to digitally sharpen the detected image of the page. In the preferred embodiment, the data patterns are dispersed throughout the page by an interleaving algorithm, so that subsequent data patterns are not stored consecutively in the page.