A method of hologram information reduction by spatial frequency sampling.

A simple method of hologram information reduction is described. By means of a Fourier transform hologram of some particular size and form, a number of discrete bands of spatial frequencies from a subject is sampled and recorded. The total area of this hologram is so small that the sampled bands contain only the minimum information necessary for a satisfactory holographic image. This hologram is then reproduced in large numbers to form a mosaic of identical holograms, one adjacent to another and in identical orientations. This mosaic of holograms is made large enough to cover the entire field of view. The resulting wavefront reconstructed from such a mosaic produces a satisfactory holographic image. If the hologram information is so reduced as to allow the sacrifice of the vertical parallax in the image, a significant reduction can result from this method. Experiments have shown that a factor of 10(3) in the over-all information reduction is practical in some cases.