Holography
(Holographic Interface Technology)
By: Tyler C Henry
Are you a fan of Star Wars; maybe even Iron Man? If you said yes then you definitely know about Holography. If not, well, keep reading because I’m about to describe and inform you of the world to come. Holography is a record, (generally associated with laser lights) of what most would say is in the form of an image. The information can consist of Images of an interference pattern, that when produced by two beams of coherent light are allowed to cooperate with each other. When one beam of light is scattered off an object before an interface pattern is formed, the hologram can then be castoff to produce an image of an object (Tupac Shakur, 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.).
Some very important key findings about holograms (or holography) was a theory developed and used before the laser was ever invented. There is no set date when this theory was established, but it could have been understood as early as the early 1800’s when a man named Auguste Fresnel created a mathematical equation for wave diffraction and interference. Its birth however is officially documented in 1947 due to research by a British electrical engineer named Dennis Gabor when he tried to improve electron microscopy. Dennis would later receive the Nobel Prize for his discoveries. Holography has influenced many of the technologies we use today such as, stress testing of aircraft wings, 3D TV, holographic data storage. It has also been applied to many of the problems we face today such as engineering, and manufacturing, discovering that people could use holographic images of likeness we could precisely compare them by superimposing them; allowing for the study of variations of any given object. With this discovery we could now ensure accurate contour up to thousandths of a centimeter. NASA and its Contributors have used this technology to further the study of titanium welds, deformation of honeycomb structures, and the formation of microcracks. Also using techniques of holography can see fluid flow, map temperature and density changes in wind tunnels and rocket nozzles. These discoveries replace previous uses of conventional temperature and pressure probes, which were faulty and inaccurate. E.P.A (Environmental Protection Agency) and private contributors developed a system in which they measure the efficiency of “scrubbers”, used to remove pollutants from smokestacks.
In the medical field holography has helped better the images from “CAT scans” allowing for better treatments of Tumors or other developments. Enhanced dental records can be taken and stored as well, such as dental casts, making the images reusable at any given time instead of retaking measurements. They have also been used to map out stress levels and patterns on hipbones and artificial replacements, allowing for artificial joints to be augmented reflect load transfer of other joints. Also biologically, holography has enhanced microscopy to see a three dimensional object instead of one side (specifically microorganisms).In specific detail taking a fluid drop to freeze the motion in a single instant in time. This can then be set, observed and recorded.
The advertising industry has also inducted holography into the way it does business such as advertising to the public a hologram of the item/ items it wants to sell (Exp. Dodge wants to release its new truck to the public they might use a holographic display to advertise the model to catch the public’s eye). Holography has untimely changed the art field forever by allowing three dimensional imaging and allowing easy distribution of art, such as, sculptures from around the world. In some cases artiest have turned the hologram itself into artwork, proving to be a useful tool in itself.
As you can see from the examples I’ve listed Holography plays a significant role in the world today. With technology constantly advancing so shall holography; as it has interwoven itself with society, it seems that it is inevitable as holographic technology is everywhere from credit cards to x rays. It is highly likely well will continue to see holograms impact and parallel life as long as the human race exists. Next generation holograms are already being developed if not here already. These holographic advances will allow for greater interactivity, improve user capture experiences, they will eliminate the screen real estate problems, and will bring more advances in component technologies. As you can see the pros for holographic tech is greatly overpowering to the cons but let’s view them in detail. In all research I have flipped threw I have found only two major problems that could play a part in its growth toward the future. Clear imaging without side effects could play a huge role as currently users could still see a flat plain of pixels, concluding in conflict in depth cues, which could lead nausea, severe headaches and even eye fatigue. Also a major problem that could keep holography from advancing would be your basic component prices. Tupac Shakur, 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California was cool but very costly. Never the less prices have gone down in the last two decades but, recreating Tupac Shakur or images like that will cost anywhere from $100,000 to $400,000. The company behind the technology later filed for bankruptcy. So as you can see affordability is the key to advancements to a new age of holographic technology. Overall holography continues to move towards “Star Wars and Iron Man holographic technology” and it’s only a matter of time before we have it.