Abstract

By polarizing the object and reconstructed wave orthogonally, two interference images are created with a phase difference of 180°, which are separated with a polarizing beam splitter. Using two video cameras, the images are electronically summed and the enhanced image instantaneously displayed. This technique allows independent enhancement of the fringe brightness since the contrast can always be adjusted optimally. The enhancement is most pronounced when the difference between diffraction efficiency of the hologram and the diffuse reflectivity of the object is large and hence is appropriate for low reflectivity objects. We present experimental data on our observed fringe enhancements as well as calculations of the dependence of the fringe enhancement on object reflectivity and diffraction efficiency of the hologram.

© 1986 Optical Society of America