Holographic distant display in dichromated gelatin

A transmission holographic optical element (HOE) has been manufactured, which changes the direction and divergence of light from a laser-illuminated transparent object, for example, a meter scale, so creating a virtual image a considerable distance from the viewer. The HOE is made in dichromated gelatin, with Ar laser light of wavelength 488 nm, and is reconstructed at 633 nm with a HeNe laser. Diffraction efficiency, luminance and contrast are measured at various points in the 16 X 16 cm² hologram. The visibility is good and there are modest distortions.