Fiber-optic holography employing multiple beam fringe stabilization and object/reference beam intensity variability

The use of fiber optics in the field of optical holography is discussed with emphasis on the design of systems used to overcome several inherent shortcomings associated with fiber-optic holographic systems. Specifically, random environmentally induced optical phase changes within the fiber are minimized by employing a Michelson interferometer in conjunction with a closed loop feedback system. Furthermore, by using several passive single-mode couplers, complete object illumination via several illumination fibers is observed. Finally, by implementing a Mach-Zehnder interferometric technique, control of the object and reference beam intensity ratios in a fiber-optic holographic system can be accomplished. The resulting schemes are very stable and highly versatile systems suitable for remote holographic interferometric sensing and other applications where conventional holography techniques are impractical. Experimental results on fringe visibility, fringe stability, and the stabilization of object/reference beam intensity ratios are also given along with a composite summary of the overall system constraints associated with fiber-optic holographic systems.