Holographic Materials? (Newbie question)

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:52 am

Hi,

I quite new to holography and I'm pretty much puzzled by all the options you have with holographic materials.

I know that there are several possibilities: Silver-Halide, DCG, Thermoplasts, Photorefractive Crystals, Photopolymers... (did I forget something?). And then you have, as far as I know by now, the choice between plates and film, right?

Well, now I'm wondering for which typical applications you use which material? Or are some of them materials that are just uses in science & research? But the most important question for me is: Where do you get these materials? Who are the major suppliers?

Sorry, if these are "dumb" questions, but I hope someone can nevertheless enlighten me a bit on that subject matter or point me to some resources.

thanks alot guys
bye, martin

Dinesh · Post by **Dinesh** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:53 am

" Silver-Halide, DCG, Thermoplasts, Photorefractive Crystals, Photopolymers... (did I forget something?).(did I forget something?)."
Magneto-optics, Chalcogenides, PVA, Photoresist..
It can be confusing. Almost all display holographers use Silver Halide. Mainly because it's easily available, easily exposed with commonly available and cheap lasers and has high senbsitivity (that is, it needs very low exposure times) and the processing chemicals are easily obtainable.
Some use DCG but the process of making it well are not easy. It's got low sensitivity and needs high powered green or blue lasers The lasers are easily available today but not cheap. Exposing anything more complex than single beam is difficult because of the low sensitivity.
Professional companies that mass market holograms for credit or ID cards, driving licences, magazines etc use photoresist. The reason is that the holographic 'data' in these other materials is buried within the structure of the hologram. In order to mass produce it, this 'data' needs to be accesible, which it isn't since it's within the material. Photoresists, however, contain the data as a surface profile on the surface of the material. This can be accessed by electro-forming a metal surface and so transfer the surface profile to the metal. This surface profile, now on metal, is used to stamp out copies in other substances in a printing process.

The two main sources of film is Slavich, a Russian emulsion, and the BB series made in England by Colorholographics. The major dealer in film and materials to make holograms is Integraf (http://www.holokits.com/) whose link should be at the top of the page. They produce film, chemicals and a beginner kit. Alec Jeong is very helpful if you have any problems. Vinteq (http://www.vinteq.com/) are the agents for BB films here in the US, although Integraf also carroes BB plates.

There are a couple of books on holography for beginners. The book that most holographers started with seems to be Fred Untersehers "Holography Handbook" (http://www.rossbooks.com/HH/hh.html). There's also Graham Saxby's "Practical Holography" and here's a link to Colin's review of it: http://www.designerinlight.com/holo/graham.htm.
Michaels site (http://dragonseye.com/holography/links.html) has many links to matters hoplographic. And there's this and other forums.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:02 am

thanks dinesh that made some things clearer... but there are still some things...

I see that there are two main sources for film, Slavich and Colorholographics. Slavich produces Silver-Halide and DCG film and plates. And Colorholographics? I couldn't find information on their website as to what material they use.

What about the other materials? Where would you get photopolymers, photoresist, thermoplasts or crystals?

btw, what are magneto-optics, chalcogenides and PVA? Never heard anything about them...

Michael Harrison · Post by **Michael Harrison** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:05 pm

Vinteq carries BB640 plates in various sizes and is a silver emulsion

http://www.vinteq.com/gen-bb.htm

You can also order directly from ColourHolographics

Common lore says that the photopolymers are all locked up and not available to the general public. The other materials I'm not familiar with except through Saxby.

---------------------------
If someone says it can't be done but they haven't tried it, don't believe them.
http://www.dragonseye.com/Holography

Are you going to the next PCG Gathering?
http://www.dragonseye.com/Holography/PCGGI.html

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:30 pm

I am possibly mistaken here but I think you can purchase BB plates from our sponsor, Integraf.

B.

Colin Kaminski · Post by **Colin Kaminski** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:38 pm

Hi Martin,

Welcome aboard! Can you plase use a seperate idenity from the Martin who posts here? Perhaps you can include your last initial or something. It will just help the rest of us.

Colin

Michael Harrison · Post by **Michael Harrison** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:49 pm

Good point. They do offer 2.5" plates through their site and I believe they can special order other sizes.

wler · Post by **wler** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:19 pm

For me, the Ultimate emulsions are by far the best - virtually noise free, very bright, uncomplicated to handle. See
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/holographie/GB/plaques.html

Tom B. · Post by **Tom B.** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 3:36 am

Price looks good compared to BB plates: 182 Eu = 233 USD for 20 4x5 Ultimate plates = $11.65 per plate versus $160 USD for 10 BB plates = $16 per plate. I have used Ultimate film (no longer available) in the past with good results, but thought the plates too expensive until now. Everything is relative. I guess you have to add the cost of Gentet's proprietary developer and bleach, plus shipping from France, but still it <might> be a better deal, especially when you consider the better sensitivity and lack of presoak requirements etc. of Ultimate ...

wler · Post by **wler** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:11 pm

IMHO he (G) overcharges a bit on bleach and developer, but you can mix the bleach yourself as he gives the recipe, and you can save on that. It is just the Brillant rehalogenating bleach that can also be used for other emulsions such as PFG or VRP-M. Moreover, shipping from France is not such an obstacle for those living in Europe, esp in France