Patent ID: 7813017

Claim:
A method comprising: (1) providing a modulated data beam having an irradiance profile, wherein the modulated data beam is formed by contacting an object beam with an irradiance-tailoring element and a data modulator, and wherein the modulated data beam causes an accumulation of irradiance concentrations when a plurality of holograms are multiplexed into a same or similar volume of a holographic recording medium to thereby increase fixed-pattern noise buildup; and (2) changing the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam to reduce the accumulation of irradiance concentrations when multiplexing the plurality of holograms into the same or similar volume to thereby minimize the effects of fixed-pattern noise buildup from occurring in the same or similar volume when the plurality of holograms are multiplexed into the same or similar volume, wherein step (2) is accomplished by imparting motion to an irradiance-tailoring element to thereby alter the irradiance profile of the modulated data beam prior to the modulated data beam passing through a storage lens that focuses the modulated data beam into the holographic recording medium, wherein the motion is orthogonal to an optical axis of a portion of the object beam that passes through the irradiance-tailoring element, and wherein the irradiance-tailoring element is a holographic optical element.