A simple ray‐tracing method for thin‐transmission holograms is introduced. Paraxial image location equations are derived. The thin‐grating equation plays a central role analogous to the refraction equation (Snell’s law) for lenses. Advantages include: (1) The working equations can be easily related to elementary wave interference principles; (2) only algebra and trigonometry (and no calculus or complex numbers) are used; (3) the model is relatively concrete, not depending directly on the concept of wave phase; and (4) holography is incorporated into standard optics.
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© 1989 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1989
American Association of Physics Teachers
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