| |
|
What are Holograms Used For? Holograms have many uses in art, science and technology. You may find holograms on certain product packaging at your local store. Several magazines have featured holograms on their covers. Holograms are found on credit cards, drivers licenses, and even clothing to help stop counterfeiting. It is possible to take flat medical images, such as a CAT scan and have the final image as a three-dimensional hologram. Computer-generated holograms allow engineers and designers to visually see their creations like never before. Engineers also use holography to test for fractures and also for quality control during manufacturing. It is called holographic non-destructive testing. Holograms are used in many airplanes, both civilian and military. These holograms provide the pilot with critical information while looking through the cockpits window. It is called a heads-up display. Heads-up displays are now available in certain automobiles as well. Artists use holography for artistic expression. Many artists feel that exploring the three-dimensional space and pure light that holography offers allows them to convey images and messages that were never before possible with "traditional" media.
One day photons will be travelling through your computer circuits the way electrons do now. When that day comes, holograms will be used to store the information. This is called holographic data storage. With HDS, you can store the entire contents of the Library of Congress in the area the size of a sugar cube.
|