Image reconstruction from a dielectric volume hologram

The phenomenon of image reconstruction from an absorptionless volume hologram is analyzed using coupled-wave diffraction theory. Reconstruction efficiency formulas are derived, which apply when the hologram intermodulation component is negligible and when no extraneous diffracted orders of significant amplitude are generated. Both transmission and reflection holograms are considered, and the analysis is developed for diffraction geometries in which polarization effects are appreciable.