Basics of Holography [Hardcover]

P. Hariharan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521807417 | ISBN-13: 978-0521807418 | Publication Date: April 29, 2002 | Edition: 1

Basics of Holography is a general introduction to the subject written by a leading worker in the field. It begins with the theory of holographic imaging, the characteristics of the reconstructed image, and the various types of holograms. Practical aspects of holography are then described, including light sources, the characteristics of recording media and recording materials, as well as methods for producing different types of holograms and computer-generated holograms. Finally, important applications of holography are discussed, such as high-resolution imaging, holographic optical elements, information processing, and holographic interferometry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a good collection of basic information on holography with many references that the reader can use to obtain more detail." COLOR

"Hariharan offers a snapshot review of the principles, techniques, and applications of optical holography in a brief descriptive treatment for those seeking an overview of the subject... The book is well-illustrated, references and worked-out examples are included; relevant mathematical information is summarized in four appendixes." Choice

Book Description

A general introduction to the subject of holography. It covers the theory of holographic imaging, the practical aspects of holography including methods of producing different types of hologram for displays, and the most important applications of holography, including holographic interferometry. Numerical problems (and solutions) are provided at the ends of chapters. This book is an invaluable resource for students and researchers in science and engineering who would like to learn more about holography and its applications in science and industry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 163 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (April 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521807417
• ISBN-13: 978-0521807418
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,688,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good first book on holography, July 1, 2006

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calvinnme - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Basics of Holography (Paperback)

This book is intended as an introduction to the subject for science and engineering students as well as people with a scientific background who would like to learn more about holography and its applications. A comprehensive bibliography and references to original papers identify sources of additional information.Numerical problems and their solutions are provided at the end of each chapter to clarify the principles discussed and give the reader a feel for the numerical aspects of each topic.

Chapters 1 through 3 review image formation by a hologram, the characteristics of the reconstructed image, and the basic types of holograms while the next three chapters discuss available light sources, the characteristics of hologram recording media, and practical recording materials. Chapters 7 through 9 describe methods for the production of different types of holograms for displays, including multicolor holograms, and methods for making copies of holograms, as well as a chapter decribing the production of computer-generated holograms. The next two chapters review some of the most important technical applications of holography, such as high-resolution imaging, holographic optical elements, and holographic information storage and processing. The final three chapters of the book describe the techniques of holographic interferometry, including the application of digital electronic techniques to holographic interferometry.

Unfortunately, trying to describe a 3D process in the 2D pages of a book is a challenge - one that Hariharan does not always successfully face. Thus this book reads a little like the voice-over on a TV science documentary. One expects the narrative to be accompanied by dynamic footage demonstrating the process being described. Because there is no such footage, and because the illustrations that do appear in the book are sparse and not particularly compelling, it feels as though the text is not quite getting its message across.

The author assumes that the reader already has a fairly extensive background in wave optics, using, without first defining, such terms as "dichromatic", "Bragg diffraction", "Pockels cells", and even "photoresist". He includes four appendices that try to address deficits that readers may have in wave optics and Fourier transforms, but it seems naïve to believe that someone without much prior knowledge in these areas can pick up everything needed to understand the book in a few two-page supplements. Also, the exercises at the end of each chapter mainly involve plugging numbers into formulae, and are therefore not very illuminating.

In spite of its several shortcomings, this book is extremely comprehensive, well-researched and informative. It is possible to read the 155-page text in a matter of hours for a general overview of holography, but you could devote a month to studying it in detail in order to gain a deep understanding of the material. I still think it is the best of the serious introductions to holography for scientists and engineers, given the lack of competition in this niche.