Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for changing the scale of a pattern printed from a total internal reflection hologram into a photosensitive layer, which apparatus includes means for reconstructing an image from said total internal reflection hologram by illuminating said total internal reflection hologram with a scanning beam and means for moving at least one of the hologram and photosensitive layer such that the magnitude of movement of the hologram relative to the photosensitive layer is equal to that of the scanning beam multiplied by the change of scale required and such that if said change of scale is a magnification the direction of said movement of the hologram relative to the photosensitive layer is the same as that of the scanning beam whereas if said change of scale is a demagnification then the direction of said movement of the hologram relative to the photosensitive layer is opposite to that of the scanning beam, and optionally comprising also means for increasing or reducing the convergence or divergen

Abstract: A duplicating photosensitive material film is brought into close contact with an ND glass reduced in thickness so as to become flexible or a flexible sheet or an ND glass coated with a cushioning layer through an optical contacting liquid containing a surface active agent. In addition, a spacer is interposed between a hologram original plate and a duplicating photosensitive material, and a space defined by the spacer is filled with an optical contacting liquid, thereby regulating the thickness of the optical contacting liquid layer with the spacer. Therefore, when pressure is applied, the optical contacting liquid is uniformly pressed, so that it can be made uniform and thin in thickness. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a failure of duplication of a hologram image due to undesirable flow of the optical contacting liquid.

Abstract: The preparation of a filter comprises illuminating a photographic material and a mask located at a given distance therefrom with light from the opposite directions to make a hologram and then reproducing an reproduced image of said hologram in the photographic material, thus making it possible to prepare a precise color filter with no need of any close contact of the mask with the photographic material and without causing the mask image to shade off. According to the reproduction of a hologram applicable as a color filter, a master hologram having recorded red, green and blue stripes is located in opposition to a photographic material, and then illuminated with light obtained by mixing the three colors from the photographic material, thus making it possible to reproduce the reproduced image in the photographic material at one exposure operation, while dispensing with a photolithographic step, precise alignment or registration, etc.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a hologram which can control the formation of a ghost hologram due to a surface reflected light caused on an interface with the atmosphere is disclosed. In the first manufacturing method for a hologram by a two-beam method or a one-beam method, on an interface between a substrate having a hologram photosensitive layer and the atmosphere is disposed a quarter-wave plate, and an incident light is converted from a circularly polarized light to a P-polarized light (or an S-polarized light) through the quarter-wave plate. On the other hand, in the second manufacturing method for a hologram, a substrate, which has a hologram photosensitive layer, is fittingly held by prisms on both sides thereof. A reference light is a P-polarized light, and an angle of the reference light to a surface reflected light on an interface of the reference light is set to be approximate to a right angle.

Abstract: A method of forming e.g. pixel elements on a flat panel display for use as a flat screen for a TV or a computer display includes forming a volume holographic image on a recording medium (21) by interference between an object beam (OB) of coherent light after passage through a mask (22) and a reference beam (RB1) of coherent light which is totally internally reflected at a surface on which the recording medium (21) is disposed, then replacing the mask (22) by the flat panel (26) and forming on a photo-resist or other photosensitive coating thereof an image of the holographic recording using a second reference beam (RB2) replayed in the opposite direction from the first reference beam.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a multiple holographic element. The method comprises the steps of forming a master multiple holographic element having an absorption grating pattern that produces a given index of refraction pattern across the master multiple holographic element, coating the master holographic element with a layer of a photopolymer, and directing a recording beam to and through the master holographic element and into the photopolymer layer. The absorption grating pattern of the master holographic element modulates the amplitude of the recording beam, and the modulated recording beam causes the monomers of the photopolymer to form a monomer pattern that produces the given index of refraction pattern across the photopolymer layer. The method further comprises the steps of fixing the monomers of the photopolymer layer in that monomer pattern to form thereby a copy of the multiple holographic element, and removing the photopolymer layer from the master holographic element.

Abstract: A technique for fixedly positioning a holographic recording laminate relative to a master hologram including the steps of inducing a electrostatic charge on the holographic recording laminate and positioning the recording laminate in close proximity to the master hologram such that the electrostatic charge on the recording laminate causes a static attraction between the recording laminate and the master hologram that retains the recording laminate in a fixed position relative to the master hologram.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for mass production of transmission holograms onto a continuous web of photosensitive material, one method involving the mounting of a master transmission hologram onto the outside surface of a clear hollow drum, the clear hollow drum being rotatable and having means for directing an irradiating wavefront propagated from a radiation source through the master transmission hologram onto a passing recording medium in a predetermined direction, the directing means configured so that said predetermined direction is fixedly maintainable independent of the rotation of the hollow drum and the master transmission hologram mounted thereon. The redirected irradiating wavefront transmitted through the master transmission hologram generates an object beam and a "zero order" reference beam, said object beam and "zero order" reference beam combine to form an interference pattern, the interference pattern being recorded on the photosensitive recording medium.

Abstract: A hologram exposure system that includes a holographic recording medium, a holographic prism adjacent the holographic recording medium for most efficiently diffracting light of a predetermined wavelength and at a predetermined incidence angle, a first monochromatic beam directed toward the holographic prism at the predetermined incidence angle, and a second monochromatic beam directed toward the holographic prism at an incidence angle that allows the second monochromatic beam to be transmitted by the holographic prism without any diffraction. The holographic prism diffracts the first monochromatic beam and transmits the second monochromatic beam without any diffraction to produce a diffracted first construction beam and a non-diffracted second construction beam which interfere in the holographic recording medium to form holographic fringes therein.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a multiple holographic element. The method comprises the steps of forming a master multiple holographic element having an absorption grating pattern that produces a given index of refraction pattern across the master multiple holographic element, coating the master holographic element with a layer of a photopolymer, and directing a recording beam to and through the master holographic element and into the photopolymer layer. The absorption grating pattern of the master holographic element modulates the amplitude of the recording beam, and the modulated recording beam causes the monomers of the photopolymer to form a monomer pattern that produces the given index of refraction pattern across the photopolymer layer. The method further comprises the steps of fixing the monomers of the photopolymer layer in that monomer pattern to form thereby a copy of the multiple holographic element, and removing the photopolymer layer from the master holographic element.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for reproducing a mask pattern onto a photo-sensitive surface of a substrate using holographic techniques.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel comprising structural elements such as transparent conductive films, polarizers, optical retardation films, color filters, light guide plates, light diffusing films, and converging films is disclosed. At least one of the structural elements comprises a layer made from a specific polymer having a saturated water absorption of 0.1-1% by weight at 23.degree. C. and obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of a specific norbornene derivative with a polar group in the norbornene structure. The liquid crystal display panel is light and convenient to use, excellent in the distinctness of image and productivity, and exhibits no deterioration in image quality during the use in severe, high temperature and high humidity conditions for a long period of time.

Abstract: A hologram recording method wherein a transparent member for introducing a light beam into a recording material is designed so that the transparent member and the recording film can be uniformly brought into close contact with each other through an index matching liquid without damaging the recording film, and it is possible to stably carry out uniform and continuous exposure without failure of recording nor occurrence of unnecessary interference fringes. Also disclosed is a recorded hologram. A transparent member (3) is disposed at one surface of a recording film (2). A surface (5) of the transparent member (3) that is brought into close contact with the recording film (2) is convexly curved only in the direction of feed of the recording film (2). In addition, the space between the contact surface (5) and the recording film (2) is filled with an index matching liquid (4) so that the recording film (2) is brought into close contact with the transparent member (3) through the index matching liquid (4).

Abstract: A hologram copying system that includes a first reconstruction beam, a second reconstruction beam that is incoherent with respect to the first reconstruction beam, a first master hologram responsive to the first reconstruction beam for producing a first diffracted beam, a second master hologram responsive to the second reconstruction beam for producing a second diffracted beam, and a holographic recording layer responsive to the first and second reconstruction beams and the first and second diffracted beams, whereby a first hologram is formed by interference of the first reconstruction beam and the first diffracted beam, and a second hologram is formed by interference of the second reconstruction beam and the second diffracted beam.

Abstract: A duplicating photosensitive material film is placed into close contact with a thin flexible ND glass or an ND glass coated with a cushioning layer through an optical contacting liquid containing a surface active agent. A spacer is interposed between a hologram original plate and the duplication photosensitive material, and the space defined by the spacer is filled with an optical contacting liquid, the spacer thereby regulating the thickness of the optical contacting liquid layer. In addition, a cushioning layer is provided on the inner side of an AR coated ND glass or on the upper side of the photosensitive material film, and another cushioning layer is provided on the side of an original plate protecting glass of the hologram original plate which is closer to the optical contacting liquid or on the lower side of the photosensitive material film. With this arrangement, even if dust enters, it can be effectively held inside the cushioning layers.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical data storage disc (e.g., a compact disc) carrying a digital recording and also carries a holographic image is disclosed. The holographic recording occupies an area (14) separate from the area (12) occupied by the digital recording, for example, the holographic recording may be positioned in an annular area encircling the central area occupied by the digital recording.

Abstract: The holographic element of the present invention includes a holographic grating pattern that is impressed in the media of the element utilizing beams of electromagnetic energy of wavelength .lambda..sub.o. The holographic grating pattern is capable of manipulating a beam of electromagnetic energy having a wavelength .lambda..sub.c at which the media is not necessarily suitable for recording. The method for manufacturing the holographic element utilizes an object beam and a reference beam having aspherical wavefronts of wavelength .lambda..sub.o to create the grating pattern in the media. In the preferred embodiment, the aspherical object beam and reference beam are created utilizing parent holographic devices recorded with spherical beams. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a doublet holographic device which incorporates two holographic elements that are formed in accordance with the present invention to manipulate a beam of electromagnetic energy of wavelength .lambda..sub.

Abstract: A reflecting master hologram is illuminated with collimated coherent beams at an incident angle to provide regular reflected beams and diffracted beams. The regular reflected beams and the diffracted beams are directed to a reflective photoresist plate at the same angles as those at which they are, respectively, reflected by the reflecting master hologram so as to form an intensity pattern, i.e. a bright and dark pattern, of interference fringes on the reflective photoresist plate. The exposed photoresist plate is developed and etched to form a reflective hologram on the plate.

Abstract: A hologram plate manufacturing apparatus comprising a copying optical element disposed in opposed relation to a photosensitive surface of a hologram plate. The copying optical element is arranged so that its one surface facing the photosensitive surface of the hologram plate has a plane configuration and its other surface has a convex or concave configuration. On the convex or concave surface there is formed a reflection film for effectively reflecting incident light. Also included a refraction index adjusting layer which is provided between the photosensitive surface of the hologram plate and the convex or concave surface of the copying optical element, the refraction index adjusting layer having an index of refraction substantially equal to indexes of refraction of the hologram plate and the copying optical element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical memory disc, which includes the steps of forming a volume holographic image on a recording medium by interference between an object beam (OB) of coherent light after passage through a mask and a reference beam (RB1) of coherent light, which is totally internally reflected at a surface on which the recording medium is disposed. Thereafter, the mask is replaced by the optical memory disc and formed on a photoresist or other photo-sensitive coating thereof is an image of the holographic recording using a second reference beam (RB2) replayed in the opposite direction from the first reference beam (RB1).

Abstract: The fiber-optic magnetostrictive transducer system consists of a sensing element having three dual-strip fiber optic magnetostrictive transducers bonded into a single fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating single mode mounted in a symmetrical orthogonal geometry. The dual-strip fiber optic magnetostrictive transducers have predictable and consistent reproducibility and are comprised of a pair of field annealed metallic glass strips bonded to a coil of optical fiber. This structure is in turn mounted on a bobbin structure where the fiber ribbon is attached to the bobbin only at the two ends of the bobbin. This reduces the possible loading of the transducer due to friction between the optical fiber and the surface of the mounting structure and at the same time provide a long sensing fiber in contact with the magnetostrictive element for high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for precisely controlling the overall average diffraction efficiency of a hologram including the steps of (a) providing a hologram layer that includes a hologram formed pursuant to hologram forming exposure and development, (b) coating the hologram layer with a photoresist layer, (c) masking the photoresist layer with a mask having opaque and transparent areas wherein the proportion of the opaque areas relative to the transparent areas is selected pursuant to the desired diffraction efficiency, the opaque and transparent areas being sufficiently small so as to have little noticeable effect when the resulting hologram is played back, (d) exposing the photoresist layer to actinic illumination through the mask transparent areas, (e) developing the photoresist layer to remove the photoresist in the areas illuminated by the actinic illumination to uncover the areas of the recording material corresponding to the transparent areas of the mask, (f) etching the recording material to remove the areas thereof t

Abstract: A system that provides a structure which makes use of a recording geometry in which no significant Seidel induced aberrations arise. The recording geometry results in a pattern recorded on a photosensitive surface, thereby creating the hologram on the scanning disc. Reconstruction of the recorded object may be made by exposing the scanning disc to substantially monochromatic light. The hologram on the scanning disc not only directs the reconstruction beam, but also focuses it. An optical element may be used during reconstruction to correct for bow and linearity, and also optimize flatness of the focal plane. Reconstruction also involves achromatization, or correction of beam placement because of mode hops or drift in laser frequency. The reconstruction comprises both pre-scan holograms and post-scan holograms. Recording of the post-scan hologram is achieved with a plurality of lenses which possess different collimating properties in the vertical and horizontal planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing temporally coherent, full color holograms is disclosed whereby a linear array of stereographically positioned cameras are simultaneously triggered to obtain a temporally coherent sequence of full color exposures. The exposures are then sequentially exposed upon an H1 plate using multiple wavelength, "white" laser light to obtain a virtual full color hologram image in a single step operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a hologram scale is comprised of a reference diffraction grating on which a light becomes incident and from or by which the incident light is emitted or reflected as a diffracted light, and a recording material, wherein at least two diffracted lights of the diffracted light are caused to interfere with each other as an object wave and a reference wave so as to form a hologram scale on the recording material. Further, an apparatus for making an assembled hologram scale, a hologram scale, an assembled hologram scale and a moving member having a hologram scale are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing temporally coherent, full color holograms is disclosed whereby a linear array of stereographically positioned cameras are simultaneously triggered to obtain a temporally coherent sequence of full color exposures. The exposures are then sequentially exposed upon an H1 plate using multiple wavelength, "white" laser light to obtain a virtual full color hologram image in a single step operation.

Abstract: A hologram is directly recorded in a sensitized metal substrate. The hologram may be an amplitude hologram, or may be treated to produce a phase relief hologram which may be stamped into a plastic material for reproduction, be archivally stored, or used as a master for electroforming a second durable surface relief hologram for use as an embossing master. A suitable material is prepared from a polished silver plate exposed to halogen vapors. After exposure, the plate is developed and fixed, and the surface is differentially etched to form a surface relief suitable for hologram embossing. Daguerreotype processes are modified to make surface amplitude holograms and phase holograms. By etching through a metal film a semiconductor mask is obtained. By depositing a silver film directly on a wafer, masks are made with very high feature definition.

Abstract: A holographic diffuser provides a high degree of chromatic correction, or color balance, within a selected eyebox and the ability to generate more than one specific eyebox for multiple observer applications. The strength of these gratings can be varied to modify the diffraction efficiency for each color so that the balance of colors can be varied within the eyebox. This balancing of colors can be used, for example, to compensate for color imbalance within the light source or image generator. Illuminating a first holographic medium produces a first real image of a diffusing screen in a define eyebox. A second hologram is recorded in the holographic medium using the real image produced by the first hologram as an object such that when the holographic medium is illuminated, it produces a second real image of a diffusing screen in the define eyebox. A third hologram is recorded in the holographic medium using the second real image as an object.

Abstract: Process for producing a hologram reproducing the image of at least one object. Said process is characterized in that a first recording is made of the image of said object on at least one first holographic recording material in order to obtain a holographic image of said object, followed by developing this first holographic recording material, making a second recording from said holographic image on a second holographic recording material shaped to present at least one concave part turned towards the first holographic recording material, whereby at least one part of said image must be located in the space defined by the two holographic recording materials. The first and second holographic recording materials are combined in such a way that the distance separating them during the second recording is variable. Said second holographic recording material is developed and then used in the same configuration in order to play back the image of the object.