A fast computational method for computer-generated Fourier hologram using patch model

Computer-generated holography is a technique for displaying a three-dimensional image from a virtual object inside the computer. It has drawn attention as a display format to satisfy three-dimensional visual characteristics. However, one problem of the method is the enormous amount of time for calculation of light propagation needed in the generation of holograms. In this paper, as a method of modeling objects, a patch model that defines an object in terms of basic drawings is used. A method is proposed to calculate holograms at high speed from these models. Further, the algorithm is verified by computer simulation. The results of an optical experiment with the hologram fabricated by this proposed method are also reported. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.