INTRODUCTION TO HOLOGRAPHY.

Abstract

Holography is a three-dimensional imaging technique which has been successfully applied as a research tool, an artistic medium, and a means of communication. Because of its innate visual appeal, the hologram shows great promise as a graphic medium in printed material and as a visual aid. This article briefly describes what holograms are and how they are made, and discusses the numerous ways this imaging technique is being applied. Most holograms are made with a single laser and have a monochromatic image. Color holographic images have been produced, however, with the use of multiple laser sources of the primary colors. Although the most striking imaging properties of the hologram have been illustrated by recording three-dimensional objects, it is also possible to achieve some rather interesting effects by holographing two-dimensional film transparencies. For example, the individual frames of a motion picture film can be holographed sequentially on film to produce a stereoscopic moving holographic image.