Computer-Generated Holograms and 3-D Visual Communication

Summary form only given. 3D visual communication is one of the most topical issues in the development of the modern information society. There are no doubts that the ultimate solution for 3-D visualization is holographic imaging. This is the only method that is capable of reproducing, in the most natural viewing conditions, 3-D images that have all visual properties of the original objects including full parallax, and are visually separated from the display device. 3-D visual communication and display can be achieved through generating, at the viewer side, of holograms out of data that contain all relevant information regarding the scene to be viewed. Digital computers are ideal means for converting data on 3-D scenes into optical holograms for visual perception. Basic ideas of using computer generated holograms for 3D visualization date back to 1960-th .1970-th. However, at that time there was no an appropriate technological base for the implementation of these ideas. Recent advances in computer engineering, electro optics and nano-photonics allow making a decisive breakthrough in this respect. The goal of the tutorial is to assist new generation of researches in the adaptation of these ideas to the new emerging technical means and their implementation in 3D displays, 3D television and 3D video communication. It covers all main relevant issues, from basics of holography to principles of synthesis and encoding of computer generated holograms and methods of 3D visualization using computer generated holograms.