Computational reconstruction of images from holograms

The equations to reconstruct an image plane from a hologram are developed. This development is carried out for planes parallel to the hologram, which allows fast computation through the use of fast Fourier transforms. Algorithms for a digital computer are developed so images can be reconstructed, both with and without the Fresnel approximation, from a digitized hologram without the need for three-dimensional optical reconstruction equipment. Examples of holographically recorded images of marine micro-organisms are shown. A computational method for counting the number of micro-organisms in the holographically recorded volume is developed, and an example is provided.