Designing and constructing thick holographic optical elements

Previously, holographic optical elements have been constructed with two spherical waves. Better image quality and efficiency can be achieved by constructing thick HOE's with spherically aberrated wavefronts. We include an exact lens equivalent for a HOE to allow computer optimization of such systems. The effect of changes in the index of refraction and thickness of the emulsion are considered along with the quality of the substrate. Optical systems to construct such HOE's are discussed and analytically described. Many examples are presented.