Information reduction using lensless Fourier transform digital composite holography

An optical hologram contains substantially more information than necessary for some specific applications. Practical methodology of handling huge information contents in these holograms for such applications is cumbersome. In this paper, a method of information reduction, which aims at efficient storage and transmission of holograms, is investigated using digital composite holography in lensless Fourier transform configuration. The maximum information reduction factor obtained in our experiment is 105. The advantages/disadvantages of this method over an earlier method used in optical holography [Lin LH. A method of hologram information reduction by spatial frequency sampling. Appl Opt 1968;7:545] are also discussed.