Holograms of speckle fields

Studies on the electrodynamic theory of the process of readout of holograms recorded in the interference of an object speckle field and a smooth reference wave are reviewed. These holograms are classified as thin, thick-layer, and volume holograms, and the process of reconstitution is examined from a unitary standpoint for all these types of holograms. Calculations are performed of the diffraction efficiency and noise level with account taken of various physical factors: saturation of the photoresponse, shift in frequency and angle during reconstruction, shrinkage of the hologram material, etc. Substantial advantages of volume holograms are demonstrated with respect to efficiency and quality of reconstruction in the next five years and in the prospects up to the year 2000.