THE INFLUENCE OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESS ON THE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO OF DIFFUSE-OBJECT HOLOGRAMS

Current theoretical models used in the calculation of the signal-to-no ise ratio of diffuse object holograms ate based on the hypothesis of l inearity between the index modulation and exposure. Due to this fact, it is generally concluded that there is a relationship between signal- to-noise ratio and diffraction efficiency. In this paper we show exper imentally that by correctly choosing the photochemical process to be u sed, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved without producing a dec rease in diffraction efficiency. As a final conclusion, we suggest the possibility of obtaining diffuse object holograms with a diffraction efficiency of 25% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 100.