Cylindrical hologram of 360 degrees field of view.

The recording of a 3-D object is greatly improved when it is possible to view the object and image from many directions. A simple apparatus is described for constructing and observing cylindrical holograms of 360 degrees field of view with a minimum of effort and expense. The recording is essentially a known technique but some improvements have been introduced. To view the image a new technique was considered where all the light of the laser beam or incoherent source is directed to the cylindrical hologram by means of an easily assembled scanner, while the recording geometry is reproduced. Good holograms are made with bright, undistorted, free of shadows, and unblurred images. This hologram viewer should prove useful for many display applications.