Holographic Technology

Holography is a technique which enables three-dimensional images (holograms) to be made. It involves the use of a laser,interference, diffraction, light intensity recording and suitable illumination of the recording. The image changes as the position and orientation of the viewing system changes in exactly the same way as if the object were still present, thus making the image appear three-dimensional

Items required:

• a suitable laser beam

• part of the laser beam to be directed so that it illuminates the object (the object beam) and another part so that it illuminates the recording medium directly (the reference beam), enabling the reference beam and the light which is scattered from the object onto the recording medium to form an interference pattern

• a recording medium which converts this interference pattern into an optical element which modifies either the amplitude or the phase of an incident light beam according to the intensity of the interference pattern.

• an environment which provides sufficient mechanical and thermal stability that the interference pattern is stable during the time in which the interference pattern is recorded. 

Holograms are usually only something that you'd see in science fiction movies, but Scientists say they have solved a big technological problem which could make holographic videos part of every day life.

Unlike a 3-D image, a holographic projection allows you to move around and get different views from all angles.

Until now, systems that make moving holographic images have cost a lot of money and have been very limited.

The main problem was with devices called 'spatial light modulators', which direct light to form points in three dimensional space, creating holograms.