FROM HOLOGRAPHY TO MICROOPTICS

Holography can store wavefields in light-sensitive material. Due to it s flexibility and the potential of multiplexing several functions into one element, holography has also been proposed as a recording techniq ue for micro-optical elements. This paper discusses the recording of h olograms that perform the basic functionalities (deflection, focusing, and fan-out) needed in micro-optical systems. Emphasis is given to th e optimum recording of fan-out elements and high-density multifacet ho lograms. Successful recording schemes are presented, which are easy to align and therefore are interesting for the fabrication of systems. T he potential of holography is demonstrated by recording 10,000 lenslet s on 1 cm(2) in a compact optical system. in addition, several highly efficient fan-out elements have been recorded as volume and surface-re lief holograms.