Dichromated gelatin and its importance for optical hologram recording

A long-lasting development in the area of holographic recording materials has shown that gelatin, a natural material, can be used as a medium for the holographic recording. Dichromated gelatin is a result of the effort to obtain phase holographic optical elements with high diffraction efficiency. This paper gives overview of its importance for holography, difficulties with its treatment, possibilities of its utilization, optical properties, and explains chemical processes being under way in gelatin from its exposure to fixing. Our experience with the formation of holographic optical elements into dichromated gelatin is mentioned. This work was supported by the project LN00A015 of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic.