Method and Apparatus for Recording One-Step, Full-Color, Full-Parallax, Holographic Stereograms

Abstract

Holographic stereograms and holographic optical elements are printed using computer rendered images of 3D computer models or processed images. Printing of one-step, full-color, full-parallax holographic stereograms uses a reference beam-steering system to expose a holographic recording material from different angles by a reference beam. A coherent beam is split into object and reference beams that interfere with each other at an elemental hologram on a holographic recording material. A voxel-control lens can be placed in the path of the object beam and in close proximity to the holographic recording material to control resolution of a holographic stereogram. Interchangable band-limited diffusers and reference-beam masking plates, and viewing zone techniques can be used in the rendering process.

1 . An apparatus for printing holographic stereograms comprising:
 a light source that produces a coherent beam:   a beam splitter that splits the coherent beam into an object beam and a reference beam;   a material holder holding a holographic recording material having elemental holograms;   an object beam unit for displaying a rendered image and for conditioning the object beam with the rendered image to interfere with the reference beam at a chosen elemental hologram;   a reference beam-steering system for directing the reference beam to interfere with the object beam at the chosen elemental hologram; and   a computer programmed to control the interference of the object beam and the reference beam and the delivery of the rendered image to the object beam unit.   
     
     
         2 .- 62 . (canceled)