Abstract

Holographic stereograms are an important way of generating 3-D images from photographs of real objects or of computer-generated 3-D objects. We have made holographic stereograms using several commercially available liquid crystal spatial light modulators, which have been modified in some cases, to produce transmission masks for a video image. The spatial light modulator is used to form the image in producing holographic stereograms. The image source has been either a video camera (or VCR) or the video signal from a computer graphics terminal. The use of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator eliminates the photographic intermediary in the process of forming the holographic stereograms. This technique speeds the process of forming holographic stereograms, increases automation of the process, and reduces the time required in creating the hologram. The major limitations of this technique are the contrast and resolution of the spatial light modulators which are commercially available and of low cost. Since the spatial light modulator technology is rapidly advancing, better performance in both of these areas is expected. Therefore, we believe that this technique offers an attractive means of producing holographic stereograms, especially from computer graphics, in situations where a short cycle time is important.

© 1987 Optical Society of America