Optical Holography

Materials, Theory and Applications

Pierre-Alexandre Blanche

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128172551
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Optics & Light

Optical Holography: Materials, Theory and Applications provides researchers the fundamentals of holography through diffraction optics and an overview of the most relevant materials and applications, ranging from computer holograms to holographic data storage. Dr. Pierre Blanche leads a team of thought leaders in academia and industry in this practical reference for researchers and engineers in the field of holography. This book presents all the information readers need in order to understand how holographic techniques can be applied to a variety of applications, the benefits of those techniques, and the materials that enable these technologies.

Researchers and engineers will gain comprehensive knowledge on how to select the best holographic techniques for their needs.

• Covers current applications of holographic techniques in areas such as 3D television, solar concentration, non-destructive testing and data storage
• Describes holographic recording materials and their most relevant applications
• Provides the fundamentals of holography and diffraction optics

Chapter 1

Introduction to Holographic

Pierre-Alexandre Blanche, PhD

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the field of holography and is a prerequisite to the rest of the book. We are taking the approach of introducing holography by the viewpoint of diffraction optics. We will start by looking at the definition and properties of the simplest holograms: diffraction gratings. There is a lot to learn, and intuition to acquire, by understanding how these simple structures interact with light. We will then generalize the concept of diffraction to any pattern by introducing the scalar theory of diffraction. This theory allows to compute hologram for any image and location. Once these mathematic foundations are laid down, we will see the different experimental configurations to record, use, and take advantage of holograms.

Keywords

Diffraction gratings; Diffraction integrals; Diffraction by apertures; Computer generated holograms; Holographic setups; Aberrations; Holographic interferometry

A Short History

Welcome to the beautiful world of holography. With their shimmering color and ghostlike appearance, holograms have taken a hold in the popular imagination, and buzz marketing alike. This is a rare accomplishment for a scientific technique, that worth to be noted. Together with this general appreciation, comes the misinterpretation. The word “hologram” is sometimes associated to the phenomena that have nothing to do with the scientific usage of the term. It is not problematic in everyday life, but it can become conflicting when the technology penetrates the market. We have all heard about holographic glass, holographic how from deceased artists, holographic television, princess Leia hologram, etc. Some are holograms indeed, some are not. This book will help demystify holography, and I hope it will help you gain a new appreciation for the technique that can be applied in a lot of different circumstances.

There exist three possible ways to alter or change the trajectory of light: reflection, refraction, and diffraction. In our everyday experiences, we mostly encounter reflections from mirrors and flat surfaces, and refraction when we look through water, or wear prescription glasses. Scientists have used reflection and refraction for over 400 years to engineer powerful instruments such as telescopes and microscopes. Isaac Newton [1] championed the classical theory of light propagation as particles, which accurately described reflection and refraction. Diffraction, on the other hand, could not be explained by this corpuscular theory, and was only understood much later with the concept of wave propagation of light, first described by Huygens [2], and extensively developed later by Young [3] and Fresnel [4].

Wave propagation theory pred...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Introduction to Holographic Principles
• Chapter 2. Holographic Recording Media and Devices
• Chapter 3. The Gerchberg-Saxton Phase Retrieval Algorithm and Related Variations
• Chapter 4. Holographic Television
• Chapter 5. Digital Holography
• Chapter 6. Holographic Interferometry: From History to Modern Applications
• Chapter 7. Holographic Sensors
• Chapter 8. Holographic Security
• Index