What Is a Hologram Used for?
Holography is a form of photography requiring laser light. It is an art, science and technology used to create 3-dimensional images. Some holograms appear so real that you might be tempted to touch them, but your hand just goes through empty air. They include artistic portraits, pictures on security badges, and medical scans that aid doctors in measuring and diagnosing illness. The term hologram was coined from the Greek words "holos," meaning "whole," and "gramma," meaning "message."
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History
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British/Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor discovered holography in 1947 while trying to improve the electron microscope. Holography techniques and applications rapidly improved and expanded after the invention of the laser in 1960.
Function
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Among its many applications, holography helps test materials (interferometry) such as auto engines, creates 3-D pictures for consumer packaging, improves airplane navigation and reduces the size of digital data storage.
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Features
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Although lasers are still needed to create holograms, they are no longer necessary to view them. Small, inexpensive laser pointers can now be used to make these ethereal images.
Benefits
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Holographic technologies aid complex needs, such as safer transport and storage of nuclear materials, and actions that we take for granted, such as supermarket scanning of bar codes.
Potential
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In the future, holography scientist Frank DeFreitas predicts that all the images around us will be holographic, including movies. We will see the action as if we are in it.
Fun Fact
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The December 23, 1991, issue of Sports Illustrated featured a 3-D mini movie of basketball star Michael Jordan on its cover that was made using holography.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit www.istockphoto.com
