Design and fabrication of multiple LED illuminated computer-generated holograms generating 3D effects for automotive applications

Car manufacturers are strongly interested in optical systems producing the perception of an aerial 3D image. Such an effect can be obtained using surface relief computer-generated holograms (CGH). However, classical single light source illumination methods of holograms by a plane wave or spherical wave generally requires long optical path systems that are too bulky to easily fit in a car. In this article, we propose a method to design CGHs that are compatible with multi-LED illumination system while generating convincing 3D aerial images. We also demonstrate an experimental realization of a prototype of a holographic system through the fabrication of a hologram illuminated simultaneously by 6 separate LEDs.