Fourier Optics and Computer Generated Hologram

Since its conception, holography has been put to a variety of uses including data storage, security, and interferometry. However, perhaps the most popular application of holography is using the technique to make three-dimensional images [1]. This paper describes an algorithm for computationally generating holograms along with methods to fabricate the hologram. Holography has since made a jump from optics tables to computers. The phrase, “digital holography", is common place in the optics community; it describes the methods used to reconstruct holographic images from physically recorded holograms as well as the methods used to construct holograms from virtual objects using a computer. In fact we have the ability to create digital holograms from imaginary objects and then recreate the image of those objects using the same digital holograms, the entire process performed on a single computer. Computer generated holograms printed on transparencies have also been used as optical filters.