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Hologram Science Projects
Junior High and Senior High School Students Can Do
By Alec Jeong
Copyright © 2006 Integraf. All rights
reserved.
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1. INTRODUCTION
This article introduces
you to nine easy to advanced hologram projects teachers and students can do
simply and affordably.
Each year, we serve a solid number of junior high,
senior high, and college students who choose to make holograms for a science
project or a science fair. Many of these students go on to win their science
fair at their school,
regional, and state levels. Regardless of winning a science fair or not, students get first-hand experience in
holography, a field that covers five Nobel Prize ideas.
2.
WHAT HOLOGRAM SCIENCE PROJECTS CAN I DO?
Hologram science projects for
first-time holographers range from basic to slightly more complex
experiments. Many school or science fair projects usually require use of the "scientific
method". So, in our hologram project descriptions below, we've listed the
variable that can be changed in each hologram experiment and some hypothetical
questions to get you going. We've also briefly mentioned how each hologram
science experiment relates
to real-life applications.
Before pursuing the the projects described below, we
recommend you first make a basic reflection hologram, which is quite easy to
do and can be accomplished in about a hour or two (see "Simple
Holography") . Doing
this first will give you the necessary grasp of the fundamentals
before you change variables (that is, "experiment") with your set
up. In some cases, you may also want to make a transmission hologram as well,
which is just as easy to do (see "How
to Make a Transmission Hologram")
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TIP: When using the "scientific
method", change only one variable at a time and keep everything else
constant. This way you can determine the relationship between the variable
and the result. |
INDEX OF HOLOGRAM SCIENCE
PROJECTS FOR FIRST-TIME HOLOGRAPHERS
BASIC HOLOGRAM SCIENCE PROJECTS
Basic Project #1: Exposure Time
<Index>
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Variable. Change the amount of time you expose
the holographic plate and object to the laser.
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Hypothetical Questions. Will the
hologram be brighter or darker? Will it change color? Does over-exposure do
anything? Why?
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Real-Life Application. Determining the
optimal exposure time is what professional holographers grapple with everyday.
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Why is this interesting? You'll be surprised
with the results, because it's not what you normally think. While holography
share some similarities to photography, the physics of it actually has some
differences.
Basic Project #2: Developer
Time or Temperature <Index>
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Variable. Change the amount of time you
process the exposed holographic plate in the chemical developer, or change the
temperature of the chemical solutions slightly.
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Hypothetical Questions. Will the
hologram be brighter or darker? Will it change color, and if so, what colors?
Why?
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Real-Life Application. Just like in
photography, the quality of the image in holography is dependent just as much
on the initial exposure as on the development process. Professional
holographers are able to make single-color holograms appear full-color! How is
that possible?
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Why is this interesting? Again, you'll be
surprised with the results, because it's not what you normally think. Hint:
Read up on wavelengths and photographic emulsions to understand why the
results turn out the way they do.
Basic Project #3: Material
of Object <Index>
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Variable. Change the material from which the
object of your hologram is made, i.e. try metal, wood, plastic, and paper.
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Hypothetical Questions. Will the
hologram turn out exactly the same, or will there be some good ones and some
non-existent ones? Are there unusual patterns that form on the image? Why?
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Real-Life Application. The hologram of
an eagle on the Visa credit card uses a physical model, likely made of
porcelain or hard plastic. Professional holographers choose their material
wisely.
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Why is this interesting? Choice of material
can make or break your hologram. The interesting part is why. Hint: Ask
yourself, are "solid" objects really solid or do they move, and if the
hologram capturing the "image" or is it capturing microscopic interference
patterns?
Basic Project #4:
Temperature of Object <Index>
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Variable. Slightly change the temperature of
the object used as the subject of your hologram between different exposures,
using the same or new holographic plate.
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Hypothetical Questions. Are there
unusual patterns that form on the image? Do some holograms turn out while
others do not? Why?
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Real-Life Application. Engineers have
used holographic principles to understand the effect of heat and cold on
materials. For example, what happens to certain car engine parts during the
winter versus the summer? What material should they use to make that engine
part?
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Why is this interesting? Holograms capture
microscopic movements in a way that photographs cannot do.
INTERMEDIATE HOLOGRAM
SCIENCE PROJECTS
Intermediate Project #1: Multi-Channel Hologram Memory
<Index>
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Variable. Change the angle of the holographic
plate and the object to make a multi-image hologram on a single holographic
plate.
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Hypothetical Questions. How many
different images can be produced on a single plate? Is there a theoretical
limit to this number, and how can one try to approach that theoretical limit?
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Real-Life Application. This leading
edge technology is what allows CD-ROMs and DVDs to hold so much data! In fact,
the newest wave of recordable CD-RW by InPhase, Sony, and others, will have a
capacity of 300 GB. In five years, it's expected to reach one terabyte (which
is giga-gigabyte).
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Why is this interesting? See our article on
Holographic Data Storage.
Intermediate Project #2: Non-Destructive Testing . . . of a
F-16 Fighter Jet <Index>
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Variable. Change the amount of stress on the
object of the hologram, by placing a weight on it, making an exposure, taking
off the weight, an then making a second exposure on the same holographic plate.
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Hypothetical Questions. Will the
hologram turn out? If so, what do you expect to see in this holographic image?
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Real-Life Application. These
holographic principles are used by civil, mechanical, and aeronautical
engineers to find out how stress effects materials and machines. In fact, at
one time, holographic interferometry was once used to see how much many
g-forces an F-16 fighter wing can take under simulated combat situations.
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Why is this interesting? Holographic
interferometry and its derivations allow you to see microscopic changes. Well,
you probably won't be able do testing on an F-16 without getting arrested by
the CIA or military, but you can try these experiments on a model plane or toy
car.
ADVANCED HOLOGRAM SCIENCE
PROJECTS
Advanced Project #1: Growing Mushrooms
<Index>
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Variable. Show how much a mushroom grows in 2
minutes.
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Hypothetical Questions. Do mushrooms
continually grow? Can one really see such differences in growth?
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Real-Life Application. Called
holographic interferometry, this experimentation method is the basis of many
techniques for measuring microscopic movements. This project was undertaken by
one of our customers about over 10 years ago as part of a science project. Not
surprisingly, this student went on to win his science fair and more.
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Why is this interesting? Amazingly simple in
theory, doing this project successfully requires you to develop a solid
understanding of making holograms. The amazing fact is that all this can be
accomplished with the simplest of materials and equipment, as with the other
basic and intermediate projects above. With the knowledge you gain from this
project, you can easily go on to more even more advanced projects, such as
split-beam holography.
OTHER
HOLOGRAM SCIENCE PROJECTS
Unlike those listed above, there isn't really any
"variable" to change in the projects in this section. Rather, these
experiments are meant to teach you the basics of the practice of advanced
holography. Contact us if you 'd like to make these holograms. We'd be happy
to give you guidance.
Other
Project #1: Holograms of Holograms (H1/H2)
<Index>
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Task. Make a hologram (H2) of a master
hologram (H1)
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Observations. Have you ever wondered how
to make a hologram that really sticks out in front of the frame? Well, this
H1/H2 technique is how it's done. One makes a master hologram, and then makes
a copy hologram of that hologram. The basic principles in H1/H2 holograms is
also used in mass-produced holograms, such as those on your credit card,
passport, or security labels.
Other Project #2: Diffraction Gratings
<Index>
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Task. Make a holographic diffraction grating
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Observations. A holographic diffraction
grating is basically a hologram of a ray of light. Diffraction gratings are
commonly found in monochromators, spectrometers, sunglasses, and even nature,
i.e. iridescent butterfly wings. Scientists frequently use diffraction
gratings to study light, and even to determine the elements that make up
our sun.
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Note. This project requires you to have a
front-surface (also known as first-surface mirror, around $15). The rest of
the supplies are the same as those for the other projects listed on this page.
3.
WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED?
All the
hologram science projects above require only the simplest of supplies and equipment, costing
around $100 or so.
Most of the essential
items described in this article can be found in Integraf's
holography kits or
are available separately. The kits provide materials for you to make many
kinds of holograms, including reflection holograms and
transmission holograms, and include step-by-step instructions for making
reflection holograms.
If you
prefer to purchase materials separately, you'll need those listed in our
article "Simple
Holography" and our downloadable
Step-by-Step Instructions. At
the very least, you
will need an appropriate diode laser for holography, a supply of Slavich PFG-03M 2.5 x
2.5 inch plates
(63mm x 63mm), and a JD-4 processing kit (or PFG-01 plates with JD-2). You do
NOT need vibration-proof tables or specialized equipment to do the hologram
projects listed on this page.
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