Some effects of temporal coherence of the Fourier transform holographic system

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate experimentally the effects of slight changes in the temporal coherence of a quasi-monochromatic source on the real images of Fourier transform holograms. The method of investigation included: (1) A review of some of the theoretical aspects of Fourier transform holography, (2) some approximations for experimental system limitations due to the coherence length and size of the quasi -monochromatic source, (3) sensitometric experimentation to obtain an adequate photographic reversal process, (4) temporal coherence measurements using a Michel son interferometer, (5) formation and reconstruction of Fourier transform holograms, and (6) analysis of experimental data. The results have shown that decreases in the coherence length of the source are accompanied by increases in the spectral width and can cause progressive blurring of edges and geometrical shape distortion for a rectangular-shaped object