Interferometric Recording of Holographic Optical Elements Using Partially Coherent Light.

The invention of the laser along with the theory of off axis holography made the construction of holographic optics such as diffraction gratings, zone plates, and holographic mirrors quite convenient. One drawback of the laser, when used in the construction of holographic optical elements (HOE's), is coherent noise. This thesis describes several techniques for constructing HOE's in light of reduced coherence. When the coherence of a laser source is reduced, coherent noise is suppressed. Classical and modern interferometers are described for use in the construction of HOE's. These interferometers generally operate in partially or totally incoherent light. Chief among these are the grating and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Other interferometers are introduced that are based on the two named above. The first is a hybrid between the Mach-Zehnder and a Fresnel biprism. The second is a combination of the grating interferometer and diffractive lenses. These interferometers are described for their ability to form high contrast interference fringes in incoherent light. The use of spatially incoherent light in transmission HOE construction is shown to be a significant improvement over the use of coherent light. Spatially incoherent and temporally incoherent transmission HOE forming systems are shown to have the ability to interfere a broad range of spherical wavefronts. They are capable of forming holographic zone plates with a wide variation of conjugate focal planes. Optical systems for the construction of reflection HOE's, in either spatially or temporally incoherent light, are described along with a transmission HOE forming system that operates in completely white light. The final chapter is devoted to the discussion of areas of possible future research. These include a study of the aberrations of HOE's formed in light of reduced coherence and a general discussion of the possibility for forming aspheric HOEs in light of reduced spatial coherence.PhDElectrical engineeringUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/161681/1/8801360.pd