A holographic interferometry technique has been developed that can be
used to measure the three components of the velocity field in a whole
plane of a fluid flow simultaneously. The light scattered from an illu
minated fluid plane is recorded on a hologram. Several interferograms
are obtained in the reconstruction of the hologram. Each interferogram
is automatically analyzed and produces quantitative information about
one velocity component. Parameters that affect the quality of the int
erferograms are analyzed. The technique is demonstrated in a Rayleigh-
Benard convective flow. Holographic interferometry and particle image
velocimetry techniques are compared. (C) 1997 Optical Society of Ameri
ca.