Measurement of diffraction efficiency, SNR, and resolution of single- and multiple-exposure amplitude and bleached...

Five bleaching techniques for Agfa Gevaert Scientia 10E75 high-resolution plates were evaluated to determine resultant diffraction efficiency and SNR for identically recorded single-exposure holograms. We determined the optimum recording conditions for both single- and multiple-exposure bleached holograms using a cupric bromide bleach, judged to be the "best bleach." Data are presented for diffraction efficiency, SNR, and resolution of diffuse and focused-image holograms for both single- and multiple-exposure holograms, using a 1951 Air Force resolution chart as the object. Bleaching improved the diffraction efficiency of both types of holograms by up to 3 orders of magnitude. The SNR of diffuse holograms is degraded by bleaching, but that of the focused-image holograms is improved, while the resolution of both types is not affected by bleaching. Bleached multiple-exposure holograms are similar in response to single-exposure holograms except that their diffraction efficiencies are lower. The diffraction efficiency of bleached holograms decreases with age.