Apparatus for Reading a Hologram

• US 20080068687A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: tesa scribos GmbH (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: tesa scribos GmbH (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Scheibenstock, Steffen, Dietrich, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 7,911,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/025 and magnifying means
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/22 Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from holograms G03H1/26 - G03H1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2205 using downstream optical component
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2249 Holobject properties
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/221 Element having optical power, e.g. field lens
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2231 Reflection reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2234 Transmission reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2247 for testing the hologram or holobject
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/20 2D object
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2227/06 Support including light source

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for reading out a hologram (9), in particular a computer-generated hologram (9), comprising a radiation source for irradiating the hologram (9) with a readout beam (10) of electromagnetic radiation and an exit opening (2) for receiving an image that is generated by the hologram (9). The invention aims to solve the technical problem of providing a device of this type for reading out a hologram, which allows more flexibility and provides greater convenience during use and which has at the same time a simple construction. To achieve this, the device is provided with an optical system that comprises at least two lenses (12, 16), a respective focal point of the first lens (12) and second lens (16) being located essentially on one plane (13). The hologram (9) is positioned in front of at least the second lens (16), when viewed from the direction of the beam.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reading a hologram (9), in particular a computer-generated hologram (9), having a radiation source for irradiation of the hologram (9) with a read beam (10) composed of electromagnetic radiation, and having an outlet opening (2) for recording an image which is produced from the hologram (9), wherein optics which have at least two lenses (12, 16) are provided, in which a focal point of the first lens (12) and a focal point of the second lens (16) are each arranged essentially on one plane, and in which the hologram (9) is arranged at least in front of the second lens (16), viewed in the beam direction.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lenses (12, 16) are convex.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the lenses (12, 16) is convex, and the other of the lenses (16, 12) is concave.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the focal lengths of the lenses (12, 16) are different.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hologram (9) is arranged in front of the optics, seen in the beam direction.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hologram (9) is arranged between the two lenses (12, 16).

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lens (12) and/or the second lens (16) are/is arranged such that they/it can be moved axially along the beam path.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is provided for movement, in particular by pivoting, of one of the lenses (12, 16) out of the beam path and into the beam path.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein an illumination device (15) is provided for illumination of the hologram (9).

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device for movement of one of the lenses (12, 16) and the illumination device (15) are coupled to one another.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the device for movement of one of the lenses (12, 16) and the radiation source are coupled to one another.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the read beam (10) is a laser beam.

13. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1, wherein a shadowing device, in particular a shutter, is provided for shadowing of the read beam (10) which is reflected or transmitted directly by the hologram (9).

14. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1, wherein the outlet opening (2) has a shadowing device, in particular a hood (3) matched to the human eye, for shadowing of interference light.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positioning device is provided for positioning of the apparatus (V) with respect to the hologram (9).

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is provided for adjustment of the size of the area of the hologram (9) which is irradiated by the read beam (10).

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is provided for positioning of that area of the hologram (9) which is irradiated by the read beam (10).

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is provided for adjustment of the beam power of the read beam (10).