High performance holographic photopolymer films have been developed to record reflection and transmission holograms. Recent advances in DuPont OmniDex^TM materials, imaging and processing are discussed. A mechanism for holographic recording is presented along with a description of physical properties and holographic performance. Several applications including holographic optical elements are mentioned which can utilize the unique properties of these materials.

A comparison between Western commercial silver-halide emulsions and the Russian ultra-fine- grained emulsions for holography has been performed. Single-beam reflection holograms of the Denisyuk type were recorded using continuous-wave lasers. This recording scheme was selected since it represents a rather simple and stable holographic setup, but an extremely demanding one on the recording materials. Various processing schemes were applied to obtain high-quality holograms. Phillips' three-step processing technique, fixation-free rehalogenating bleaching, reversal bleaching, and solution-physical development were all investigated. In particular, diffraction efficiency, image resolution, scattering, and signal-to-noise ratio were studied as a function of emulsion and processing method. For comparison, some recordings were also made on other popular materials in common use in holography.

Comparative studies of the noise power (Wiener) spectra of ultrafine grain Russian emulsions PFG-03 (PE-2) and IAE, of Western emulsions Agfa 8E75HD, Agfa 10E75, Ilford 737T and photothermoplastic materials for holography are performed. For the high-resolution materials PFG-03, IAE, Agfa 8E75HD used for recording both transmission and reflection holograms, the spectra are measured over both the forward and back hemisphere of scattering. The noise power spectrum measurements for the materials are compared with those for lenses what is important for technical applications. The results show that the scattering noise characteristics of the silver-halide emulsions are much better than those for the photothermoplastic material and, for the ultrafine emulsions, are even better than the lens noise performance.

The progress of holography as a useful optical technique for engineering applications is strongly dependent on the development of new recording materials having outstanding properties. Those materials must be prepared and processed following simple methods and they must give holograms of high diffraction efficiency value and a good signal to noise ratio. In the search of such a recording material, we studied photocrosslinking polymer systems as simple as dichromated poly (vinyl) alcohol films (DC-PVAL). Those films gave holograms having a maximum diffraction efficiency value (MDE) of 18% at 488 nm; at 442 nm, we obtained MDE values between 20% and 55%. When adding a xanthene dye, the MDE value can be increased. All of those results are obtained in real-time holography and the recording films were free of any chemical development. In the present communication we will introduce many new results on hologram recordings in XANTHENE DYE-DICHROMATED CASEIN films at 442 nm.

An important quality in holography is the diffraction efficiency, a measure of intensity within the reconstructed image. It depends on the spatial modulation in the holographic film, which is determined by the distribution of silver and halide after exposure and developing or of silver halide after bleach. In this paper measurements are presented of optical density, silver concentration, and refractive index within exposed and processed holographic film. The data show, that the refractive index modulation is in the order of (Delta) n approximately equals 0.05. With these results it is possible to understand and design holographic experiments more accurately as far as maximum diffraction efficiency is concerned.

Principles of reflection silver-halide gelatin holograms fabrication are presented. The processes of hardening, swelling and dehydration of gelatin layers are researched. The formation mechanism of microcavity structure of holographic gratings is suggested.

A recent museum exhibition provided the opportunity to create a rich, multilayered light environment with holographic materials arranged in a symbolic spiral.

The author discusses the development of holographic visual poetics based on motion, discontinuous viewing zones, and metamorphosis. He explains how it came about ten years ago, defines the basic principles of this new poetry, and gives detailed description of three recent pieces. Next, the author discusses the notion of hypertext and hyperpoetry, and observes the similar concerns of holopoetry and hyperpoetry. He concludes with a call for the development of new poetic forms in the digital age.

This presentation will examine the relationship between artist-made holograms and the landscape tradition in art. Following selected examples of significant historical movements, various directions in the visual arts from throughout the second half of the twentieth-century will be explored as well as specific post modern strategies in image making. The presentation will then focus on more recent technology-based and media works including video, installation art and holography. Finally, examples of landscape and nature-based imagery in holography will be examined in depth through works by individual artists.

The Spanish painter Diego Velasquez demonstrated in his work" Las Hilanderas"(The Spinners - 1660, Prado Museum) for the first time the representation of velocity of a moving object.The turning spinning wheel has "invisible spokes and diffuse circular formations around the spindle".

This paper will discuss the first tests of LCD video projection onto holograms and resulting artwork. On the busiest shopping street of Cologne, a store-window video-holographic work was installed. A video camera grabbed real-time signal of the feet of passersby and projected them onto a hologram of fire. Work in progress on an installation with a large hologram reconstructed by a real-time viewer-interactive computer animation with textures will also be discussed. These works grow out of an ongoing series `Prototypes for a city machine', installation units of post-scientific devices for personal and social change.

I will discuss my interests in the interrelationships of light, memory and time an how such elements have influenced my work. These interests have continually been reflected in my art, from early studies in laser transmission holography to later pieces that explore holography as a time-based medium.

What I wish to present to the audience has to do with the reconstruction of a holographic slit animation. This animation involved 240 holographic slits of real animation done with a holographic camera. It will demonstrate the different needs and solutions involved in the construction of the SVH (holographic visualization system). It will show the work accomplished by the teaming of an artist and an engineer, I will also present the reaction of the public that had the opportunity to try this system during my last exhibition. I will conclude with a description of the different possibilities that can be done with this kind of work.

The analysis of selectogram characteristics is carried out. The term selectogram stands for the structure obtained by recording the interference pattern of the radiation of an object and that of an extended reference source of light on an inclined photographic plate. The current presentation describes a case for which the image of the object being recorded is focused near the surface of the selectogram. It is shown that in this case the angular size of an element determining the resolving power of the image reconstructed by the selectogram is approximately equal to the angular width of a horizontal slit which filters the radiation of the object. The general structure of the radiation reconstructed by the selectogram is also considered.

One of the major interests in hyper-velocity impact experiments is the particulate material and projectile which is expelled from and through the target. To help understand this process and to verify Hydro-Codes (Fracture Codes) in experiments at the Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque), Innovation Associates is developing a Highly Versatile, Holographic Imaging System for Plume Particulates (HISPP) that will capture and analyze holographic images of the target plumes and projectile. HISPP will (a) provide deep field holographic plume images that can be analyzed for particle size and distribution, (b) permit temporal resolution with multiple holographic images at various stages of plume development, (c) provide automated, plume analysis of the plume structure, analyzed according to particulate size, through the use of an efficient particulate analyzer subsystem, and (d) provide a holographic system that is versatile and relatively easy to integrate into the user experiment.

A real-time 3D automultiscopic display suitable for 3D television and general consumer use is described. This display is, effectively, a real-time holographic stereogram. The main component in this display is a cylindrical Holographic Optical Element. Recorded onto the curved surface of this hollow cylinder are several transmission holograms that act as unidirectional screens. Unlike conventional screens that scatter light in all directions, these holographic screens scatter light in all directions vertically but in only one small direction horizontally. Therefore a 2D image projected onto one of these screens is only viewable within one small horizontal angular range.

We present our progress towards the development of an Office Holoprinter. Extra attention will be given to total concept layout and individual steps. We will evaluate the different project parts and discuss problems and possible solutions.

Flat-press embossing is an economic method of producing large format embossing hologram in small quantities and variable types. We use upper bound and lower bound theory to get the proper embossing pressure. From the transfer function of embossing we correct the values of the embossing temperatures and holding time. From our analysis, we improve the product quality and reduce waste. Some problems like the wrinkling, curling, and breakage in plastic plate or the short life in the embossing master can be eliminated under the proper operation parameters.

Five different holographic methods for imaging through biological tissue, as well as other highly scattering media, are described.

The method for reconstructing a hologram through an edge of the glass cover plate is discussed from the standpoint of the imaging characteristics. Holograms fabricated by this method do not need large free space for illumination and can be reconstructed compactly. The image blur of the hologram reconstructed with white light is analyzed. Experiments of recording color holograms by this method are also reported.

We use a commercially available liquid crystal television (LCTV) for encoding real-time on- axis continuous phase-only filter (POF) in a Vander Lugt type optical correlator. Theory and experiments show that the filter on the LCTV, that has phase mismatching and coupled amplitude modulation, retains a term, that is the true POF with a diffraction efficiency of about 70%, plus a zero order spot. The correlation output is a superposition of the POF correlation with an image of the input. The filter has advantages of on-axis POF correlation: high light efficiency and utilization of all the available space bandwidth product of the LCTV. Optical experimental results are shown.

Our Computer Generated Holograms are made of different thin stripes, each of them modifying the phase of the input scanning beam. There are two main set-ups. If the size of the stripe is equal to or larger than the scanning beam, we can address the different points or modify the phase pattern of the scanning beam in a discontinuous way. But if the size of the stripe is much smaller than the scanning beam, we will almost get a continuous variation of the phase pattern as the beam changes its position. With this, we can modify the input wavefront either into a smooth curve or corrected beam.

This paper discusses the development and implementation of the Computer Holography course, which has been continuously taught by the author at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago since the Spring of 1991. The curriculum, facilities, and some of the techniques used to create computer holograms are also discussed.

This paper will deal mostly with the struggle holography has had to establish itself as a serious medium. It looks at how we have failed to utilize these new concepts. It raises questions about the way we are teaching holography now. It discusses a new way to teach holography, and its introduction to the public at large. Most of the participants know the history of holography and its various forms--i.e., optical, nondestructive testing, display holography, etc.--so I will not go into that here. Some of my comments may sound negative, but that is not the intent. An open eye and mind will only help us integrate this new medium into our everyday life.

Holography has been extensively studied and developed by physicists, chemists and engineers. The technology is constantly improving, and is now available and accepted as an artistic medium. The Biocybernetic approach for studying neurophysiological responses to presentation of artistic material such as print, audio, photography, video and computer display, can now include the response to holograms. The artist can determine the degree of emotional impact of the hologram on the viewer. The results may be quantified or expressed qualitatively.

The need for a catalogue of creative holography is discussed. Reference is made to electronic catalogues and multi-media data bases related to creative holography. How information on, and access to, creative holography compares to that of `traditional' media such as painting is explored. Criteria for inclusion in a catalogue are discussed, together with the position of a paper based publication within the electronic `information revolution'. An explanation of how a catalogue for holography is produced is provided and a discussion of what such a resource might offer.

Holographic Stereograms offer the opportunity to bring live, animated subjects into the holographic image process. Earlier designs for image capture; linear tracking cameras and the stationary camera filming the subject rotating on a turntable, although being able to image and produce good definition Holographic Stereographic images are both lacking in one key area: in both cases the act of the imaging process totally dominates the subject content and it's related event.

Holographics North, Inc. has developed a new stereogram mastering camera to produce holograms up to 1.0 X 1.5 meters. This investment was made after careful consideration of several marketing factors. Although the stereogram process has never produced the resolution or depth of conventional holographic images, the ability to record moving subjects in white light, and to reduce or enlarge images, seemed a necessary addition to a commercial imaging facility.

With more and more holographers using Stereograms, existing photographic techniques can be employed for creative uses. Using stereograms gives the artist/holographer new increased creative possibilities with fewer restrictions in subject matter. Photomontage techniques increase these possibilities even more.

Two installations which use restricted views of white light transmission holography are outlined. The reasons for restricting a viewer's visual access to the hologram and a comparison to early photographic methods is discussed. A new restricted viewing system which uses computer generated holographic stereogram is presented.

How to record information of natural scenery, for example, mountains and rivers, woods, buildings, human and instruments, is an interesting problem of the technique of 3D stereodisplay. In this article a new kind of rebow-holographic technique for natural scenery is introduced.

The presentation of large holograms in travelling exhibitions has always posed problems, mainly due to lack of space. The Museum of Holography was consequently required to develop, with Jean-Francois Moreau, display consoles which are light, affordable and completely detachable. In a permanent exposition at the Forum des Halles in Paris, the Museum displays a room with 22 holograms, each measuring 1 m X 1 m, in a structure designed by the architect Fabien Vienne. The different systems used by the Museum are presented here.

In the last year, I have completed two very interesting projects. These involved holographic installation in underground facilities, where the holograms were illuminated and the images reconstructed by sunlight. The sunlight was collected on the roofs of the buildings and guided to the basement level through optical fiber.

The authors explains his involvement with holography, how computer aided design has achieved a new visual synthesis for him and accessed greater creative possibilities for the two media; and how recent developments in the two fields promote greater accessibility.

A new type of optical element--the polarizing computer-generated hologram (PCGH)--may integrate different optical functions like polarizing beam splitting, beam shaping, imaging, polarization forming or conversion, and more in one single element. We have produced a polarization multiplexer/demultiplexer for optical telecommunication using a phase PCGH.

Given is a tensor-vector generalization for anisotropic crystal of nonlinear optic interaction in arbitrary incidence of two plane waves transmitting regular nonhomogeneous nonlinear gyroanisotropic media. The solution is represented for arbitrary polarization of interacting waves, taking into account the real parameter of media: bipolar conductivity, natural and induced anisotropy by electric, optics, etc. external fields. A compact matrix-vector algorithm is demonstrated for a fast estimation 3D space evolution of the optic fields in arbitrary crystal symmetries and is usable to optimization the experimental condition and crystal parameters measurement.

We demonstrate a 4 X 4 holographic star coupler fabricated at He-Ne laser light in silver- halide gelatin. A new approach has been tested for reducing the required number of gratings. It requires a simple recording geometry and a 3D arrangement of the replay beams based on Bragg degeneracy. This element can operate in a large window of replay wavelengths by adjusting the Bragg angles. Experimental results are presented.

We demonstrate 4 X 4 holographic star-couplers fabricated at He-Ne laser light in Silver- Halide Sensitized Gelatin derived from Agfa-Gevaert plates. A modified processing formula is discussed. Two approaches are tested: multiple-beam in a planar configuration and multiple- exposure in a 3D arrangement. Some discussions and experimental results are presented.

A model capable of evaluating the effects of several important experimental factors on high resolution holographic images is presented in this paper. The present form of the model includes the following experimental factors: the aberrations due to the angular misadjustment of the hologram at reconstruction and those caused by the uneven thickness of the glass substrate, the Gaussian intensity profile of the auxiliary waves and the finite spatial resolution and nonlinearity of the recording material. Based on the use of the general form of the scalar Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral, the model makes it possible to take into account any combination of these factors simultaneously. Numerical calculations were carried out for high numeric aperture holograms of microline objects.

The production of a rainbow as well as cylindrical holograms is based on recording of transmitting holograms of an object by the Leit's and Upatniek's method. In this method one cannot place the object directly near the hologram and this has some well known disadvantages. On the other hand, in the Denisyuk's method the object is placed quite near the hologram. In the present work, the recording of the rainbow and cylindrical holograms by Denisyuk's method is considered. As it will be shown, this method allows one to produce lensless rainbow holograms with a wide angle of observation in a horizontal direction and compact cylindrical holograms with a wide angle of observation in vertical direction.

Recently there has been an increase in researchers' attention to the holographic optical elements (HOE) making it possible to connect in free space a wide range of elements and channels of optical devices of computers or communication networks. One of the difficulties in use of such elements is spectral distinction between operation wavelength of HOE (800 - 1500 nm) and wavelengths of spectral sensitivity of high efficiency media for HOE recording such as dichromated gelatin, photopolymer and others. We report the results of investigation of HOE two-step recording previously used for laser wavefront correction.

The holographic method created by D.Gabor uses the two dimensional photographic recording of the interference pattern of object and reference waves. E.Leit and U.Upatnieks scheme of recording based on the same idea that enables us to separate the restored and ghost Images had a strong stimulating influence on the developsent of holography. The most important landmark in the formation of holography Is Yu.N.Denlsyuk's creation of the method of reflection holography using imaging properties of the threedimensional recording of interference pattern in the material medium. The three— dimensional hologram turned out to be capable of restoring together with the complex amplitude of the object wave also its spectral composition. Later on Yu.N.Denisyuk proved that in the three—dimensional holographic medium not only the standing waves have the ability to restore wave fields, but also traveling waves of Intensity that were formed in the interference of waves of different length. p. van Hirden's Investigations who discovered the ability of three—dimensional holograms to carry out integral operations analogous to associative accesses in memory systems were of great importance to the holographic theory. The holographic method enables us to solve the problems inaccessible before such as storage and aposteriori processing of three—dimensional images, wavefront transformations and their comparison in time and space intervals. The recording of intensity distribution In the field of overlapping of object and reference waves turns out to be enough when there Is a task of holographic restoration of three characteristics of the object field — amplitude, phase and wave length. The important initial characteristic of the field scattered by the object Its polarization state is not reflected on the hologram. The reason for it is the absence of interference between mutually orthogonally polarized components of the object and reference fields. As a result the component of the electric vector of the object field that is orthogonal to the reference wave Is not fixed on the hologram. The image reconstructed from such a hologram is formed in the form of components of the original object field parallel to the reference wave. The described incompleteness of the recording and reconstruction leads to considerable limitations in the uses of the holographic method especially in the tasks where the polarization of the field scattered by the object has essential imformation load about the passing of the phenomenon under study in time. The schematic solution of this problem didn't succeed because of the principally unavoidable distortions. In the paper4 for the first time attention was paid to the fact that the absence of amplitude modulation in the interference of mutually orthogonally polarized object and reference waves is not a sign of the loss of holographic information. In the region of overlapping of these waves depending on their relative phase a field with a space—variable character of polarization is formed. In the general case of the summation of object and reference waves of arbitrary polarizations the distribution of the standing wave in the hologram plane has an essentially vector character which however in the recording process doesn't find any reflection. The conclusion following this was the necessity of using as hologram light sensitive media that acquire under the influence of polarized light induced aniotropy and gyrotropy, that modulate the polarization state of the summary wave. Thus, the essence of the solution of the problem is the structure of the vector field of standing electromagnetic waves in the form of anisotropy and gyrotropy variable on the surface reflected on the material carrier is capable with its subsequent excitation by the coherent wave, of reproducing the original field together with the amplitude and phase also according to polarization state. It is essential that the electromagnetic wave itself can form the similar structure in interacting with the polarizationaly sensitive material medium automatically reflecting on it while being recorded (Veigert effect)2'3

The elementary act of the interaction of light with a material medium is vectorial by its nature. This vectority has a double character: on the one hand the quantum of polarized radiation is anisotropic and has spin, on the other hand the material centre interacting with radiation is anisotropic and gyrotropic. Ultimately all the veriety of phenomena of interaction of light with the medium must lead to the reaction product that Is also anisotropic and gyrotropic by structure. Such state of affairs is the manifestation of initial properties of the electromagnetic field and the substance. While using polarized light fluxes of sufficient transversal length the anisotropy and gyrotropy induced by light turn out to be macroscopically observable. Light—sensitive media reacting to the action of polarized light by anisotropy appearing in them have been known since 1919 when F.Veigert discovered the phenomenon of photoinduced anisotropy (photoanisotropy) in photochemical systems of silver halo-genide . In 1928 the similar phenomenon of the appearance of gyrotropy (photo— gyrotropy) under the action of actinic radiation of circular polarization was discovered by Zocher and Coper2 . Later in 1956 Bakingem predicted the light induced analogue of Kerr effect that means as follows: under the action of the strong pulse of linearly polarized light in nonlinear—optical medium there appears anisotropy that disappears when the action stops3 . The predicted phenomenon was soon confirmed by experiment . The nonlinear optics gives every possibility for various manifestations of light induced anisotropy in photophysical processes. Anisotropy in nonlinear—optical phenomena appears as a result of several independent mechanisms making different contribution to the resulting effect. One of the main reasons is the appearance of nonlinear polarization as a result of the orientation of anisotropic molecules. Certainly to connect the anisotropy induced by light with the real turn orientation of the molecule is wrong as at present no mechanisms of turn orientation in the elementary act of absorption of quantum of polarized radiation are known. When we have enough densities of inducing polarized field the greater part of molecular dipoles having orientation parallel to the field turns out to be in an excited state whereas the orthogonally oriented dipoles are not excited. It, creates the anisotropy of the space distribution of excited dipoles. As the dipo— les parallel to the field unlike orthogonal ones turn out to be as if they were "occupied" by the pump field, the medium when it is optically probed turns out to be pronounced anisotropic. The second reason of the appearance of anisotropy under the action of polarized light is electrostriction. In very strong light fields the defor— mation of an electronic cloud is possible and then the reason of anisotropy proves to be purely an electronic effect. Finally the reason for the anisotropic change of the characteristics of the medium can serve an electrocaloric effect connected with the heating of the medium in the process of polarized pump wave propagation. The little excitation time and quick return to the initial state are characteristic of photo— chemical processes (the electronic effect develops for 1012 — 1O1 sec, the orientation effect — for 1O— 10L2 sec, electrostriction — for 1O — 1O sec, the electrocaloric effect — of order I sec). It is also true of the anisotropy induced by polarized light that quickly disappears in the course of competing processes when the inducing radiation is removed. Unlike photophysical processes, photochemical processes lead to changes that are revealed after the light excitation stops. From the most general considerations It follows that in order to have photochemical reaction the energy of the absorbing quantum must be higher than the energy of the dissociation of chemical bonds of a molecule. In this case photochemical decomposition or conformational transformations begin to prevail over the radiating deactivation of the molecule. In some cases the role of the quantum of the polarized radiation comes to the overcoming of activatory barrier and to the formation of primary products that start a chain. Both reversible and Irreversible varied photochemical reactions In principle must always take place with induction of photoanisotropy and photogyrotropy expressed in a different degree. It is evident all the more that the photochemical transformation of the molecule leads to the change of its absorbing ability and the selective action of polarized light only on molecules, which are oriented in a definite way, conditions the induc— tion of the macroanisotropy of the medium as a whole. The above mentioned equally refers to the appearance of gyrotropy in the medium when the circularly polarized actinic light causes in an Initially isotropic and nongyrotropic medium the induction of circular dichroism and circular birefringence (optical activity) as a result of the selective absorption of light by molecules according to rotary orientations

The theory of polarization holographic recording and reconstruction is considered at arbitrary angles of the meeting of working beams. The Jones vector-matrix apparatus, the quantitative ratio of the connection of anisotropy and gyrotropy induced by light with Stokes parameters of active (object + reference) field, and also the modified Kirhgoff diffraction integral has been used to solve the problem. The conditions of the distances and angles of meeting during the formation of the fields of polarization hologram have been received (nonparaxial approximation). It has been shown that depending on the direction of propagation and also on the characteristics of the medium and the polarization state of a reference wave the transformation of the reconstructed images according to the polarization state takes place.

The sputter speeds of DCG layers in different conditions of ion treatment were defined in both Ar inert medium and CF₃Cl chemical active medium. A two-stage process of ion treatment was proposed for transfer of the surface relief on DCG into glass K-8. The samples of relief-phase holograms in glass 100 mm in diameter on spatial frequencies of 100 and 500 mm^-1 were manufactured.

The investigation results on manufacturing relief-phase holographic optical elements (RPHOE) with diameter up to 300 mm are adduced. RPHOE represented a model of HOE fragment that can be used in control channel of large format adaptive optical system. The experiments were conducted on the unhardened dichromated gelatin layers, fabricated in accordance with our technique. The technological processes of RPHOE manufacture on spherical substrates have been developed. The samples of metallized RPHOEs with diameter of 100 and 300 mm with required features in a range of spatial frequencies from 100 to 550 mm^-1 have been manufactured.

The principles of photothermoplastic (PTP) process for large format holograms are considered. Development of such holograms has required a new constructive approaches to recording system as well as working conditions and the PTP compound choice. The use of a new process principles seem to allow to solve many practical problems of holography.

The holograms with intenferential structure formed by colloidal Ag are wide spread in display holography. The main advantages of these holograms are the high DE running at 50% in wide range of the visual spectra, low noise and durability during an operation.

We propose a new holographic method for investigating liquid and gas media which permits determining the absolute value of the difference of the refractive indices of the reference medium and of the medium under study by one interferogram. The light wave passing sequentially through the reference medium and the medium under study is reflected from the object with the known form of the diffusely reflecting surface. As a result of reconstruction of the two-exposure hologram obtained, as interference pattern is formed, the spatial frequencies are proportional to the difference of the refractive indices of the reference medium and the medium under study.

The analysis of the results obtained from holographic investigation into the region of light- sensitive materials being fulfilled essentially by Soviet scientists has been performed. The advances in the creation of the recording media for imaging holography, for phototechnology in the production of holographic optical elements, of optical memory and optical information processing have been demonstrated. In conclusion, the main expected research lines in the field under consideration have been defined.

A kind of circular viewing rainbow holography on plane plate is presentnd in which a ring object wavefront is first divided and then synthesized. Dividing and synthesizing of the wavefront are real ized when the object and a holographic plate are rotated respect ively. The technique can obtain a non-aberrat ion reconstruct ing image wi th large viewing radius. It can be appi led to fabr bat ing of embossed holograms.

It is necessary to use a magnifying system for the investigation of very small diffusely reflecting objects by holographic interferometry. The influence of imaging errors as well as fringe localization in holographic interferometric microscopy with conjugated reconstruction was investigated in previous papers. In this paper we describe the possibility of applying the phase shifting technique in holographic microscopy with conjugated reconstruction. The phase shifting is a well known technique in interferometry for the investigation of phase distributions. By using digital image processing for the suppression of speckles it is possible to measure deformations of rough surfaces at sub-millimeter objects.

The methods of investigation of the microstructure and dispersion structure of holograms using different physical and chemical methods, including mercury porosimetry, optical and electron microscopy, X-ray micro analysis and investigations of latent images, are discussed. The theory of formation of holographic structure in the layers on bases of investigation of their micro structure is analyzed. The possibility of wavelength correction of reflection master- hologram by means of physical and chemical methods is shown. Hologram processing at supercritical condition of temperature and pressure, which may reduce the destruction of the microstructure of hologram from considerable Laplasian forces, is discussed. Our results of using improved layers of the dichromated gelatin for recording and processing of holograms and master-holograms are reviewed.

A new photoresist (REFO-125) is developed especially for holography as well as diffractive optics. It is at least twice as sensitive as conventional photoresists in the spectral range of 350 nm - 520 nm. Using this resist holographic gratings with blazed surface relief profiles have been produced which show diffraction efficiencies of up to 90% for the blaze wavelengths. A theoretical model has been successfully used to determine the holographic recording geometries for various configurations of blazed gratings of transmission or reflection type. Experimental results show that the REFO-125 photoresist allows great modulation depths which are necessary especially for blazed transmission gratings.

A new holographic laboratory, Photonics 3D, has opened in Lyon, France. Its objectives are many fold: to encourage creative research in the field of holographic imagery, to set up an artist in residence program and to allow the production of very large holograms.

A novel technique of recording holograms in spectral hole-burning systems has been developed. During hologram exposure, the frequency of narrow band laser light is `swept' over a frequency range, corresponding to a few homogeneous linewidths of the spectrally selective recording material. Simultaneously the phase of the hologram is controlled as a function of the frequency--the so called phase sweep function. Due to the phase reconstructing properties of holograms, this recording method programs the sample as a spectral amplitude and phase filter. This leads to interesting diffraction phenomena: plane swept holograms show strongly asymmetric signals in conjugated diffraction orders.

Reflection holography requires precise control of the emulsion thickness to obtain multicolor images with one record wavelength. This paper discusses color control for reflection holography using in-situ techniques, new neon `wireless' technologies for the integration of neon into the holographic image and experiments involving perceptual strategies applied to holographic images.

A one step, single beam, holographic recording system is described which allows rapid production of graphic holograms of shadows. The factor of production time is highlighted and the limitations this can place on the creative process. A short educational workshop using the system, within a University art department is described.