Holographic Optical Elements for Holographic Stereogram Printers

A number of methods for producing holographic optical elements (HOEs) for use in projecting integral images in holographic stereogram printers are presented, with emphasis on application to Ultragram format one-step stereograms. Creation of HOEs to replace standard diffusion screens and enhance stereogram printer imaging properties and efficiency is discussed. Monolithic and integral holographic optical element recording configurations are defined and experimental systems are demonstrated, with emphasis on scalability, ease of manufacture, illumination format, and diffusion property manipulations. Incorporation of rectangular and gaussian HOE-focus intensity distributions is analyzed and HOE-focus relation to stereographic bandlimiting techniques is shown to reduce unwanted image artifacts. Specific examples of application of each HOE to the one-step Ultragram printer are presented and evaluated using a standardized test pattern image. Application of HOE techniques to meter-square format generalized holographic stereogram printers is formulated, with attention given to the specific image distortions that arise from that system. Thesis Supervisor: Stephen A. Benton Title: Professor of Media Technology This research was supported in part by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under Rome Air Development Center (RADC) Contract F30602-89-C-0022, and by the Design Staff of the General Motors Corporation. This thesis is dedicated to my grandfather, who instilled me with the work ethic necessary to "begin it once, and do it".