Lasers and Holography

by Winston E. Kock

As the words holo (complete) and gram (message) connote, the hologram captures the entire message of a scene in all its visual properties, including the realism of three dimensions. It involves the simple process of photographically recording the pattern formed by two interfering sets of light waves, one of these sets being a reference wave. With the introduction of lasers to holography in 1963, real advances in the development of holography began to take place.
Dr. Kock's lucid introduction to lasers and holography has now been revised and updated for a second edition. It begins with a clear discussion of wave patterns and coherence. Then the development of lasers is summarized, along with the phenomenon of wave diffraction. Finally, the important subjects of zone plates and the properties of holograms are skillfully described. A new, concluding chapter brings the story up to the present, with a survey of recent advances in such areas as viewing holograms, hologram computer memories, liquid surface holography, synthetic-aperture radar and sonar, large new lasers, fiber optics, etc.
Using language that can be readily understood by high school and junior high school students, Dr. Kock has written a brief, yet authoritative volume that should satisfy anyone's curiosity about this burgeoning field. The remarkable discoveries that have already occurred are only a prelude to an even more remarkable future. 84 illustrations, including 8 new to this edition. New preface. Suggested (1981) additional reading. Index.

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1981

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occasionally the language takes a moment to adjust to - it's not consistently chosen for ease-of-access. But it is an interesting introduction and a fascinating look into a discussion of the field where fibre optics was just a glint on the horizon.

[Brooke]

Note the author's name and that it is the "Second, Enlarged Edition."