Substrate guided wave holography: Analysis, experiments, and applications

This dissertation contains new theoretical and experimental results associated with Substrate Guided Wave (SGW) holography. The SGW technique allows holograms to be recorded using optical configurations whose geometries fall outside of the boundaries associated with conventional transmission and reflection holograms. Together, the three techniques exhaust all possible holographic recording geometries.; The most important theoretical contribution is a two-dimensional coupled wave theory developed using a Fourier transform approach. The new theory includes Kogelnik's one-dimensional theory as a special case and allows previously excluded and important problems to be investigated. The two-dimensional theory is applied to study the properties of a volume hologram including the diffraction efficiency under the Bragg condition, the angular selectivity, the wavelength selectivity, and the diffracted wave profile. The results of this analysis are used to make comparisons between SGW holograms and holograms recorded using conventional transmission and reflection geometries.; The most important experimental contribution is the demonstration of high quality SGW hologram fabrication and image reconstruction techniques. The recording techniques include generating a steep incidence reference beam by employing a transparent block and index matching liquid and beam shaping using a cylindrical lens. SGW hologram images are reconstructed using both white light and laser illumination. A special input coupler is used to improve image quality in the laser illuminated system.; Several examples are included which clearly demonstrate the advantages and potential applications of SGW holography. The technique is applied for three-dimensional image display, nondestructive testing and the production of optical elements.