Provided are methods for replication (copying) of volume Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) using a master hologram in optical contact with a prism, wherein the master hologram comprises distinct object and reference beam coupling elements, and wherein in the replication process light is coupled from one face of the prism and transmitted through another face of the prism using the distinct object and reference beam coupling elements. Methods for making the master hologram by sequentially forming the distinct object and reference beam coupling elements therein are provided. Further methods for encoding aperture functions directly to the master hologram are provided. Yet further methods provide for forming a copy HOE in an array configuration using a step-and-repeat method wherein the copy HOE is translated laterally by a specified distance before the next exposure is made.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

Provided are methods for replication (copying) of volume Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) using a master hologram in optical contact with a prism, wherein the master hologram comprises distinct object and reference beam coupling elements, and wherein in the replication process light is coupled from one face of the prism and transmitted through another face of the prism using the distinct object and reference beam coupling elements. Methods for making the master hologram by sequentially forming the distinct object and reference beam coupling elements therein are provided. Further methods for encoding aperture functions directly to the master hologram are provided. Yet further methods provide for forming a copy HOE in an array configuration using a step-and-repeat method wherein the copy HOE is translated laterally by a specified distance before the next exposure is made.

The invention relates to an apparatus (200, 300, 400, 600) for producing volume reflection holograms with substrate-guided reconstruction beams, comprising: at least one transparent, planar carrier element (210, 310, 410, 610) comprising a first flat side (210.1) and a further flat side (210.2), at least one master element (206, 306, 406, 606) arrangeable at the first flat side (210.1) of the carrier element (210, 310, 410, 610) and at least one optical input coupling element (102, 202, 302, 402, 602) configured to optically couple a light beam (214, 216), wherein provision is made of at least one coupling portion (104, 204, 304, 404, 604) configured to mechanically establish an optical contact between the input coupling element (102, 202, 302, 402) and at least one holographic recording medium (208, 308, 408) providable on the further flat side (210.2) of the carrier element (210, 310, 410) or configured to mechanically establish an optical contact between the further flat side of the carrier element (610) and at least one holographic recording medium (608) providable on a flat side (605) of the optical input coupling element (602), wherein at least the coupling portion (104, 204, 304, 404, 604) is formed from a material with a shear modulus of between 1000 Pa and 50 MPa, preferably of between 30,000 Pa and 30 MPa.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

Systems and methods for recording holographic gratings in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a holographic recording system including a first movable platform configured to support a first plurality of waveguide cells for exposure, at least one master grating, and at least one laser source configured to provide a set of recording beams by directing light towards the at least one master grating, wherein the first movable platform is translatable in predefined steps along at least one of two orthogonal directions, and wherein at each the predefined step at least one waveguide cell is positioned to be illuminated by at least one recording beam within the set of recording beams.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

Holographic volume gratings in waveguide cells can be recorded using many different methods and systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a holographic recording system including at least one laser source configured to emit recording beams and a movable platform configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein when the movable platform is in the first position, the at least one laser source is configured to emit a first set of one or more recording beams toward a first set of one or more stations and when the movable platform is in the second position, the at least one laser source is configured to emit a second set of one or more recording beams toward a second set of one or more stations.

Holographic volume gratings in waveguide cells can be recorded using many different methods and systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a holographic recording system including at least one laser source configured to emit recording beams and a movable platform configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein when the movable platform is in the first position, the at least one laser source is configured to emit a first set of one or more recording beams toward a first set of one or more stations and when the movable platform is in the second position, the at least one laser source is configured to emit a second set of one or more recording beams toward a second set of one or more stations.

A copying device for generating a replication hologram that represents a copy of a master hologram. The device includes an object hologram for generating an object wave via a master signal, and a reference hologram for generating a reference wave with the aid of the master signal.