Theoretical and experimental optical holography

The intent of this paper is to present an analysis of optical holography. Both the physical theory behind holography and the experimental techniques used in making holograms will be presented. To accomplish this goal, the paper is divided into two independent sections: the theoretical section followed by the experimental section. Each section is intended to be a complete unit. The Theoretical Section is an exposure to the theory behind holography. This consists of a review of the concepts of interference and diffraction. followed by a brief review of partial coherence. The remaining part of the Theoretical Section is devoted to the mathematical analysis of optical holography. The Experimental Section begins with an introduction to the equipment and facilities currently available for optical holography at Colby College. Holographic procedures is dominated by the description of transmission holography (v.s. reflection. or white-light. holography). After these general holographic procedures a few variations on the basic transmission hologram are presented. The experimental section will end with an introduction to holographic interferometry, a major application of holographic techniques.