Recording and reconstruction of an object’s wave state of polarization by a volume hologram

Abstract

The mode theory of transmission volume holograms is developed, taking into account the vector character of the electromagnetic field. In scalar recording media, eigenmodes are twice degenerated with reference to the state of polarization of the reconstructing field. Using this theory, the transformation laws of wave, with arbitrary spatially nonuniform field distribution and the state of polarization by a volume hologram are found. Two construction methods are detailed: (1) the reference beam has a wide angular spectrum, (2) the reference beam consists of two plane orthogonally polarized waves. In both cases the magnitudes of diffraction efficiency and polarization noise are calculated. Expressions obtained permit optimization of construction and reconstruction for both cases. In particular, we found the conditions on the reference beam for full reconstruction of the object field, including the whole structure of polarization.