Some remarks on noise sources in silver halide volume holograms

Dichromated gelatin has been established as the most frequently used recording material for the obtention of holographic optical elements and new applications are being found for photopolymers in previously unexplored areas such as holographic interconnects. However, photographic emulsion from the beginning has been and continues to be the most used holographic recording material. This is due to the relatively high sensitivity and ease of processing of this material, improved processing chemistries, commercial films, and the repeatability of the results. In this paper we will analyze different sources of noise in photographic emulsions such as intermodulation noise, noise gratings and non-linear noise, and the influence of the photochemical process on the previously noise sources cited. Bleached emulsions by rehalogenating and solvent process will be considered and silver halide sensitized gelatin will be present as a solution in transmission holograms. At the same time, new developers and new noise models will be presented under the supposition that non-linear response of the recording material is due to the photochemical process.Part of this work was supported by the Direcció General d'Ensenyaments Universitaris i Investigació de la Generalitat Valenciana, Spain (Project GV-1165/93)