A

Full Definition of hologram

three-dimensional image produced from a
pattern of interference produced by a
split coherent beam of radiation.
 First Known Use of
Hologram
BEFORE 2000 AFTER
2000
 History of Holography

D ennis Gabor, a Hungarian scientist working in the

UK, presented the foundational concepts of
holography in a patent and a series of papers
written between 1948 and 1951 that were aimed at
microscopy.

These introduced the notion of storing the 3D

information related to a sample as a 2D interference pattern,
containing phase and amplitude information, which can
subsequently be reconstructed through illumination.
Today, the main applications of static holograms are in security and
authentication for branding, bank notes, passports etc. Holographic
imaging is largely consigned to artistic exhibitions or specialist optical
components.
Simple concept
Holography remained somewhat obscure owing to its dependence
on coherent light sources. However, things changed radically after
the invention of the laser in 1960 when the field had a revival with
an upsurge in research and development. Lieth and Upatnieks
reached a key milestone with the off-axis transmission hologram.
At about the same time, Denisyuk pioneered the reflection
hologram. Dennis Gabor was awarded the Physics Nobel Prize in
1971.