The Creation and Varied Applications of Educational Holograms.

The potential of holograms has been left virtually untapped in the field of education. A hologram can be described as a three-dimensional photographic record of the interference pattern of two superimposed beams of coherent light. Holography requires: (1) high-resolution film; (2) a laser, often a red-beamed helium neon laser; (3) optical components, including positive and negative lenses, mirrors which redirect light, beamsplitters which create the two superimposed beams, and the film plate holder; and (4) the isolation table, which stabilizes the other components and saves them from vibration. Setups vary according to whether the recording process involves a one-beam transmission or a two-beam transmission. Film processing is very similar to photography but requires pyrogallic acid, sodium carbonate, potassium dichromate, and concentrated sulfuric acid. After the film is developed, it is imperative that the film plate be correctly illuminated to produce a three-dimensional image. Holography has helped advance the arts through the production of popular commercial and fine art images and the study of visual design. It has also made a difference in how scientists and manufacturers gather information about changes in materials and products by allowing them to make extremely precise measurements not possible by any other means. Some museums can even offer three-dimensional replicas of priceless antiques too fragile for public display by using holograms. Holography has even moved into more commercial and educational areas like supermarket bar code scanners, computer data storage, X-rays, microscopy, television, and medicine. For example, medical students can have the opportunity to work on holographic organs before cutting into an actual body. Someday holographic television may implement artificial intelligence in education, by staging recreations of important events, for example. Holograms often depend on the aid of other technologies to accomplish their purpose, and scientists have had trouble increasing the hologram's size while still maintaining a quality image, but even so, the potential of this technology looks enormous. (Contains 17 references.) (BEW)