> Holograms we make
We make all forms of display hologram, but we specialise in one area; Reflection Holography. In terms of realism these holograms are hard to beat. Furthermore if you add a number of colours, an image is formed that is both creative and scientifically accurate as a recording medium in 3D. Because of the complex processes involved in the making of these holograms there are no more than a few companies or individuals in the world now producing them.
Multicolour Reflection Holograms
Most of the holograms that you will see pictured throughout this site, are recorded on the highest resolution holographic glass plates available in the world. This is needed to hold the immense amount of microscopic information. Even the best conventional photographic film would not be able to record such detail.
Traditionally reflection holograms consist of one particular colour in the spectrum. They are monochromatic. However, the holograms we make can also combine the necessary pure colours to give a full colour image, which is more appealing, and introduces far more potential to holography as a display and artistic medium.
(Fig. 1) The basic set up for producing a ‘master’ laser transmission hologram.
The first step in producing these full colour images is to make a master laser transmission hologram. One of these masters is made for each pure colour in the final hologram. Sometimes the object has to be painted between each shot to show up the necessary parts for each colour. Once all the masters have been processed they can then be viewed but only using laser light (See Fig. 1).
The next stage is to produce a reflection hologram copy, which is viewable in white light. This requires on average three exposures on to the holographic plate, one from each master. There are many considerations when doing this such as colour registration (in 3D!), balance between colours and achieving the correct colour in the first instance, which is done by treating the holographic plate chemically to swell the emulsion and thus change the reconstruction wavelength (See Fig. 2).
(Fig. 2) The optical set up for a reflection hologram copy
Once the reflection hologram is processed and dried it is ready to display. Although clear when finished, reflection holograms are normally sealed with a black enamel paint to enhance the brightness, and protect the emulsion for many years to come.
So, how does this type of hologram stand out from the rest?
The end result is simply breathtaking in its realism and beauty. The image is of such high quality and resolution that the eye is fooled into believing it’s completely real, without question. And, multicolour is essential in a hologram to give greater creative scope and to form an image that has far more of a natural appearance to it. Colours can be mixed together like filtered light to make unusual combinations for a hologram, such as white, magenta and cyan.
Denisyuk Holograms
A far more economical alternative to the Multicolour reflection hologram is the Denisyuk hologram. This enables a holographic recording to be made quite quickly and using a relatively straightforward set up. The result, although only single colour, can be very realistic and three-dimensional. It is the perfect imaging technique for fairly simple subjects such as coins, keys, sculptures, fossils, etc.
Standard Sizes
We make holograms up to 30cm x 40cm. The three standard sizes are 4” x 5”, 8” x 10” and 30cm x 40cm.
To have your own hologram made, of a subject of your choice Click here
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