Abstract: A novel technique for synthetic holography is disclosed. An image combiner such as a hologram comprising a number of independent off-axis holographic optical elements serves to image a set of off-axis regions to images disposed at various distances along an optical axis; this set of images comprises a synthesized three dimensional object wavefront. These images are derived substantially from off-axis incoherent-to-coherent converters, such as liquid crystal light valves illuminated with a laser. A photosensitive medium is exposed to the wavefront comprising the set of sectional images, the 3-D object wavefront, and simultaneously to a reference wavefront composed of a source coherent with that wave source used to illuminate the incoherent to coherent converters. The resulting synthetic hologram can thus be made with one exposure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for production of 3-D images (volume displays) from a set of 2-D images employing one or more multiple component holographic optical elements (mcHOEs) in combination with an off-axis array of a plurality of 2-D illuminated (or radiative) components of objects to be synthesized into 3-D images of the objects. An array of component regions is disposed in at least one plane generally normal to a defined optical axis. A mcHOE is disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the array with the optical axis passing therethrough. The components are illuminated from behind, or are themselves radiative (as, for example, in the case of CRT screen(s)). The observer is positioned along the optical axis in front of the mcHOE. The mcHOEs are virtual image transmission or reflection holograms, but real images may be produced by using the appropriate mcHOE. The component region array is a set of 2-D representations of portions of an object (e.g.