I recommend this new edition of a comprehensive, practical textbook authored by the pedagogue and researcher Kostuk, who spent decades working on applications of various holographic techniques to disparate optical systems. His research interests are reflected in the chapters.
The text is augmented with clear figures and a balanced mathematical and physical foundation of the phenomenon. Dennis Gabor made the first holographic images in 1948; his 1971 Nobel Prize lecture is recommended reading. Many fascinating aspects of optics are integral to holography, and the book’s appendices contain holographic laboratory experiments and tips for constructing holograms and their optical components.
Kostuk arranged each of the chapters with a clear format: introduction and the phenomenon, followed by a concise mathematical description, clear descriptions of materials, instruments with their limitations, exercise problems for the reader and references.
The broad scope of topics includes computer-generated holograms, digital holography, holographic recording materials, optical elements, displays and data storage. New advances in holographic recording materials such as photopolymers and polymer dispersed liquid crystals are also discussed.
Review by Barry R. Masters, Fellow of AAAS, Optica, and SPIE.
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or its publisher, Optica.