Developing an Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment for Exploring the Fundamentals and Applications of Holography

Holography is a powerful technique for reconstructing and recording three-dimensional wavefronts. This provides an ideal platform for teaching concepts in wave physics such as interference and diffraction. However, holography is underrepresented in advanced undergraduate laboratory settings. This project seeks to fill this gap by developing a hands-on laboratory experience for students to explore the principles of holography. A traditional setup including a laser, beam splitter, mirrors, and photosensitive media will be required to create and analyze holograms. The goal of this lab is to practically demonstrate how analog signals encode both amplitude and phase information, which is of greater complexity and information density compared to digital signals. Finally, this experiment will touch on practical applications of holography, such as its potential for high-density data storage. This experience will bridge the gap between theoretical wave phenomena and real-world applications, equipping students with a conceptual understanding of precision optics.