Full Definition of

hologram

three-dimensional image produced from a

pattern of interference produced by a

split coherent beam of radiation.

First Known Use

of Hologram
BEFORE 2000
AFTER 2000

History of Holography

ennis Gabor, a Hungarian scientist working

in the UK, presented the foundational
concepts of holography in a patent and a
series of papers written between 1948
and 1951 that were aimed at microscopy.
These introduced the notion of storing the 3D information
related to a sample as a 2D interference pattern, containing phase
and amplitude information, which can subsequently be
reconstructed through illumination.

Today, the main applications of static holograms are in security and

authentication for branding, bank notes, passports etc. Holographic
imaging is largely consigned to artistic exhibitions or specialist optical
components.

Simple concept

Holography remained somewhat obscure owing to its dependence

on coherent light sources. However, things changed radically after
the invention of the laser in 1960 when the field had a revival with
an upsurge in research and development. Lieth and Upatnieks
reached a key milestone with the off-axis transmission hologram.
At about the same time, Denisyuk pioneered the reflection
hologram. Dennis Gabor was awarded the Physics Nobel Prize in
1971.