Abstract: An improved, relatively thin panel display includes a housing member supporting a hologram containing a holographic image of predetermined indicia that can be appropriately illuminated to appear to the observer as being positioned at a location offset from the actual location of the hologram panel display member. The hologram member can be illuminated by either back lighting, front lighting, or side lighting with the use of either transmission or reflective holographic images. One embodiment of the invention can be combined with a steering wheel with the virtual image of the indicia being located at a sufficient depth to enable the eyes of the viewer to focus comfortably on the panel indicia information.

Abstract: Segmented displays are provided on an automobile windshield by stacked or linearly arrayed holograms containing separate display segments selectively illuminatable by different wavelengths of light to provide a variable display. Each hologram is edge illuminated by a wavelength which differs from the wavelength used to illuminate adjacent holograms to provide, for example, a seven segment or bar graph display. A second embodiment provides a single hologram containing a seven segment digit with light beams selectively directed on the digits to display desired numerals.

Abstract: An improved hologram display panel for a vehicle is provided. Sensors can monitor the operating characteristics of the vehicle and virtual images of indicators can be realized by the illumination of holographic images that are contained in substantially transparent hologram members laminated to the surface of the windshield. The holographic images are virtual image displays that can appear offset from the windshield to accommodate the vision of the driver. A hologram barrier means may be provided to prevent activation of the hologram display by ambient light.

Abstract: A holographic indicator for determining a vehicle perimeter location is provided. A substantially transparent hologram member can be fixed to either the windshield or the rear window and contains a holographic image of indicia representing a virtual image of an indicator that will correspond spatially to a perimeter location of a vehicle body when appropriately illuminated. A light source can be selectively illuminated by the driver to realize the virtual image of the indicator to assist him in close manuevering, such as parking.

Abstract: A holographic reflector for reflecting laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength. The reflector employs a plurality of holograms which are disposed adjacent to one another and which are conterminous with each other. The holograms are generally disposed in a support structure which may be a visor or goggle arrangement. Each of the holograms may be either parallel fringe holograms or slanted fringe holograms. The angular orientation of the fringes and the relative spacing thereof determine the angular coverage provided by the reflector. The reflector provides for reflection of laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength and within a particular angular subtence while allowing high see-through in the visible wavelength region. Multiple sets of holograms may also be stacked in order to protect against multiple laser sources.

Abstract: A diffractive radiation shield for protecting eyes and radiation sensitive devices from laser radiation. The shield utilizes one or more holograms disposed on transparent substrates. These holograms consist of spherical holographic fringes recorded in a dischromated gel with which the substrates are coated. The holographic fringes reflect laser radiation which is normal to their respective surfaces. Reflectivity is maximized for a particular wavelength by proper selection of the fringe spacing. The shield may be configured as a visor for an aviator's helmet.

Abstract: A hologram forming system for forming, from a single beam source and a reflective mirror, a reflective hologram in which spurious reflection and transmission hologram recordings are eliminated. Reflected rays are changed in phase relative to the primary beams during the recording period so that spurious holograms do not form. The remaining effect of the reflected rays is to slightly change the overall refractive index of a phase recording material (such as dichromated gelatin) with a resultant slight loss of available index of modulation or to slightly, uniformly, darken an amplitude hologram film, (such as silver halide) with a slight loss of available contrast. The invention includes hologram forming systems that move the cover plate relative to a fixed recording medium with and without a phase shifter in the primary beam and a hologram forming system that moves the substrate and mirror relative to the fixed cover plate.

Abstract: The systems of the invention form improved reflection and transmission holograms utilizing two beams and eliminating all of the higher energy spurious holographic recordings that are caused by reflections of rays from the outer surfaces of the cover plates. The systems provide movement of the cover plate or movement of the substrate and recording medium during the recording period to prevent formation of the spurious recordings. In some arrangements of the invention, global phase shifters are utilized to maintain the phase of the primary rays forming the desired hologram at a high level.

Abstract: The hologram forming systems of the invention form diffusion type holograms in which undesired spurious transmission hologram recordings are eliminated. The reflecting surfaces are moved during the recording process so that the reflected rays change in phase relative to the primary recording beams and spurious holograms cannot be recorded with sufficient intensity to form undesired reflections in the developed hologram. Thus, pictorial type holograms such as jewelry holograms or art holograms do not present undesired ghost images or flare patterns to the viewer. The concepts of the invention also include formation of diffusion type holograms for high gain directional viewing screens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a quadrant detector which is characterized by an optical reflector immersed in a high refractive index material to increase the field of view of the detector. The immersed reflector divides the incoming radiation and directs varying portions of this radiation to four separate immersed detectors. The device thereby achieves an increased field of view for proportional operation of a quadrant detector. The high index material reduces the spread of the incoming rays and the ray bundles can then be collected by a much smaller detector than would be required by a conventional quadrant detector with the same field of view. Sensitivity is increased and the need for gimbals is often eliminated.