Efficient image projection by Fourier electroholography

Compact reconstruction of a Fourier hologram for a 3D object by scaling compensation

The Fourier holographic projection method is compact and computationally fast. However, since the magnification of the displayed image increases with the diffraction distance, this method cannot be used directly to display multi-plane three-dimensional (3D) scenes. We propose a holographic 3D projection method of Fourier holograms by scaling compensation to offset the magnification during optical reconstruction. To achieve a compact system, the proposed method is also used to reconstruct 3D virtual images with Fourier holograms. Different from traditional Fourier holographic displays, images are reconstructed behind a spatial light modulator (SLM) so that the observation position can be placed close to the SLM. The effectiveness of the method and the flexibility of combining it with other methods are confirmed by simulations and experiments. Therefore, our method could have potential applications in the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) fields.

Faster generation of holographic videos of objects moving in space using a spherical hologram-based 3-D rotational motion compensation scheme

A spherical hologram-based three-dimensional rotational-motion compensation (SH-3DRMC) method is proposed for the accelerated generation of holographic videos of a three-dimensional (3-D) object moving in space along the arbitrary trajectory with many locally-different curvatures. All those 3-D rotational motions of the object made on each arc can be compensated just by rotating their local spherical holograms along the spherical surfaces matched with the object's moving trajectory using the estimated rotation-axes and angles, which enables a massive reduction of computational complexity of the conventional hologram-generation algorithm and results in an accelerated calculation of holographic videos. Experiments with a test video show that the average calculation times of the conventional NLUT, WRP and 1-D NLUT methods employing the proposed SH-3DRMC scheme have been noticeably reduced by 34.75%, 41.37% and 31.64%, respectively, in comparison with those of their original methods. These good experimental results confirm the feasibility of the proposed system.

Accelerated generation of holographic videos of 3-D objects in rotational motion using a curved hologram-based rotational-motion compensation method

A new curved hologram-based rotational-motion compensation (CH-RMC) method is proposed for accelerated generation of holographic videos of 3-D objects moving on the random path with many locally different arcs. All of those rotational motions of the object made on each arc can be compensated, just by rotating their local curved holograms along the curving surfaces matched with the object's moving trajectory without any additional calculation process, which results in great enhancements of the computational speed of the conventional hologram-generation algorithms. Experiments with a test video scenario reveal that average numbers of calculated object points (ANCOPs) and average calculation times for one frame (ACTs) of the CH-RMC-based ray-tracing, wavefront-recording-plane and novel- look-up-table methods have been found to be reduced by 73.10%, 73.84%, 73.34%, and 68.75%, 50.82%, 66.59%, respectively, in comparison with those of their original methods. In addition, successful reconstructions of 3-D scenes from those holographic videos confirm the feasibility of the proposed system.

Speckleless holographic display by complex modulation based on double-phase method

The purpose of this study is to implement speckle reduced three-dimensional (3-D) holographic display by single phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM). The complex amplitude of hologram is transformed to pure phase value based on double-phase method. To suppress noises and higher order diffractions, we introduced a 4-f system with a filter at the frequency plane. A blazing grating is proposed to separate the complex amplitude on the frequency plane. Due to the complex modulation, the speckle noise is reduced. Both computer simulation and optical experiment have been conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method. The results indicate that this method can effectively reduce the speckle in the reconstruction in 3-D holographic display. Furthermore, the method is free of iteration which allows improving the image quality and the calculation speed at the same time.

Accelerated one-step generation of full-color holographic videos using a color-tunable novel-look-up-table method for holographic three-dimensional television broadcasting

A color-tunable novel-look-up-table (CT-NLUT) for fast one-step calculation of full-color computer-generated holograms is proposed. The proposed method is composed of four principal fringe patterns (PFPs) such as a baseline, a depth-compensating and two color-compensating PFPs. CGH patterns for one color are calculated by combined use of baseline-PFP and depth-compensating-PFP and from them, those for two other colors are generated by being multiplied by the corresponding color-compensating-PFPs. color-compensating-PFPs compensate for differences in the wavelength between two colors based on their unique achromatic thin-lens properties, enabling transformation of one-color CGH pattern into those for other colors. This color-conversion property of the proposed method enables simultaneous generation of full color-CGH patterns, resulting in a significant reduction of the full color-CGH calculation time. Experimental results with test scenario show that the full color-CGH calculation time of the proposed CT-NLUT has been reduced by 45.10%, compared to the conventional NLUT. It has been further reduced by 96.01% when a data compression algorithm, called temporal redundancy-based NLUT, was used together, which means 25-fold reduction of its full color-CGH calculation time. Successful computational and optical reconstructions of full color-CGH patterns confirm the feasibility of the proposed method.

Speckle-suppressed phase-only holographic three-dimensional display based on double-constraint Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm

The Gerchberg-Saxton (GS) algorithm is widely used to calculate the phase-only computer-generated hologram (CGH) for holographic three-dimensional (3D) display. However, speckle noise exists in the reconstruction of the CGH due to the uncontrolled phase distribution. In this paper, we propose a method to suppress the speckle noise by simultaneously reconstructing the desired amplitude and phase distribution. The phase-only CGH is calculated by using a double-constraint GS algorithm, in which both the desired amplitude and phase information are constrained in the image plane in each iteration. The calculated phase-only CGH can reconstruct the 3D object on multiple planes with a desired amplitude distribution and uniform phase distribution. Thus the speckle noise caused by the phase fluctuation between adjacent pixels is suppressed. Both simulations and experiments are presented to demonstrate the effective speckle noise suppression by our algorithm.

Minimized speckle noise in lens-less holographic projection by pixel separation

Images displayed by holographic methods on phase-only light modulators inevitably suffer from speckle noise. It is partly caused by multiple uncontrolled interferences between laser light rays forming adjacent pixels of the image while having a random phase state. In this work the experimental proof of concept of an almost speckle-less projection method is presented, which assumes introducing a spatial separation of the image pixels, thus eliminating the spurious interferences. A single displayed sub-frame consists of separated light spots of very low intensity error. The sub-frames with different sampling offsets are then displayed sequentially to produce a non-fragmented color final image.

Lensless zoomable holographic projection using scaled Fresnel diffraction

Projectors require a zoom function. This function is generally realized using a zoom lens module composed of many lenses and mechanical parts; however, using a zoom lens module increases the system size and cost, and requires manual operation of the module. Holographic projection is an attractive technique because it inherently requires no lenses, reconstructs images with high contrast and reconstructs color images with one spatial light modulator. In this paper, we demonstrate a lensless zoomable holographic projection. Without using a zoom lens module, this holographic projection realizes the zoom function using a numerical method, called scaled Fresnel diffraction which can calculate diffraction at different sampling rates on a projected image and hologram.

Fiber-based real-time color digital in-line holography

An extremely simple setup for real-time color digital holography using single-mode fibers as light guides and a directional coupler as a beam-splitting device is presented. With the directional coupler we have two object beams and one residual crosstalk used as a reference beam. This facilitates the adjustment and improves robustness. With the use of graphics processing units, real-time hologram reconstruction was possible. Due to adaptation of the optical setup and scaling, zero-order and complex image influence is highly reduced.

A holographic projection system with an electrically tuning and continuously adjustable optical zoom

A holographic projection system with optical zoom is demonstrated. By using a combination of a LC lens and an encoded Fresnel lens on the LCoS panel, we can control zoom in a holographic projector. The magnification can be electrically adjusted by tuning the focal length of the combination of the two lenses. The zoom ratio of the holographic projection system can reach 3.7:1 with continuous zoom function. The optical zoom function can decrease the complexity of the holographic projection system.

Simple holographic projection in color

Extremely simplified image projection technique based on optical fibers and a single Spatial Light Modulator is presented. Images are formed by addressing the modulator with especially iterated Fourier holograms, precisely aligned on the projection screen using phase factors of lenses and gratings. Focusing is done electronically with no moving parts. Color operation is done by spatial side-by-side division of the area of the modulator. Experimental results are given, showing good image quality and excellent resistance to obstructions in the light path. Speckles are suppressed by micro-movements of the screen and by time-averaging of a number of holograms into the final image.