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New product development through

fusion of hologram technology

Hideyoshi Horimai, Toshihiro Kasezawa

Hideyoshi Horimai, Toshihiro Kasezawa, "New product development through

fusion of hologram technology," Proc. SPIE 10997, Three-Dimensional
Imaging, Visualization, and Display 2019, 109970I (14 May 2019); doi:
10.1117/12.2522508

Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2019, Baltimore, MD, United

States

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 Invited Paper

New product development through fusion of hologram technology

Hideyoshi Horimai *a, b, Toshihiro Kasezawab
a
HolyMine Corporation, 2032-2-301 Ooka, Numazu-shi, Shizuoka, 410-0022 JAPAN
b
Egarim Co., Ltd., 330 Shibukawa, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 424-0053 JAPAN

ABSTRACT

Holograms have many unique features and functions. We have been developing several new products by fusing
hologram technology. In Holo-Table, by synchronously projecting the parallax image on the rotational holographic
scanning plate, we succeeded in displaying the stereoscopic image that can be observed from 360 degrees. In Holo-
Window1, we are developing brand-new building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system by simply pastes a hologram
film on the window. Hologram film is guiding sunlight to the inside of the window glass and leads it to a small solar cell
that generates electricity. In this paper, we introduce more examples of our product developments applied by hologram
technology.
Keywords: Holo-Table, Holo-Window, Ega-rim, Egarim-PBS, Holo-Jector, holographic-3D-image printing system,
photopolymer, collinear holography

1. INTRODUCTION
Hologram technology, in particular the use of volumetric hologram recording materials, has unlimited applications in
various industries. The author invented a technology called collinear holography2 in 1998, and integrated this with
optical disk technology to develop a next-generation data storage system “HVD”. Based on this experience, a
holographic optical disk was employed as a rotating scanner, and a three-dimensional display “Holo-Table” was
developed that could be observed with the naked eye from 360 degrees. Volumetric holograms can freely control the
traveling direction of light and wave front. Using these characteristics, and thanks to the wide and roll-type
photopolymer film commercialization, the full-parallax holographic-3D-image printing system “CDP-1” was also
successfully developed. Furthermore, by designing the light propagation direction to the inner surface of the glass, a
waveguide type optical element was realized. By attaching this type of hologram film to the surface of window glass, it
is possible to collect solar energy and generate electricity. This prototype unit is now developing, called "Holo-Window".
Using this function in reverse, we developed a front illuminator "Ega-rim" that illuminates the 3D-image hologram by
emitting light from the glass surface with certain direction. We found that Ega-rim has a polarization separation function,
“Egarim-PBS3”. Applying this feature, we are developing the ultra-low-height projector prototype, called "Holo-Jector"
that all optics can be integrated within a thickness of only 1 mm. In this paper, we describe our brand-new product
developments that fuse hologram technology.

2. 360 DEGREE VIEWABLE 3D-DISPLAY “HOLO-TABLE”

2.1 Motivation and principle
Three-Dimensional (3D) display is in great demand in many kinds of field. Development of 3D display without special
glasses and smooth motion parallax is widely desired. High-density directional images displaying is one of a promising
glasses-free 3D display method2. This method has the following features; (a) special glasses are not required, (b) the eye
accommodation function may work, (c) the smooth motion parallax is obtained, and (d) the observation position is not
restricted. In this method, however, considerably large numbers of spatial light modulators (SLMs) corresponding to the
number of spatial beam directions were needed. Therefore, the author developed a new type of 3D display system,
named Holo-Table. Figure 1 shows the configuration and principle of Holo-Table schematically. In contrast to the
method proposed so far, by utilizing a simple hologram screen (transparent-type diffraction grating) as the rotational
beam scanner, the high-density directional 3D movie image obtain easily with only one SLM. Rotating speed of Holo-
screen is 60 revolutions per second to display the 60fps smooth movie images.

Three-Dimensional Imaging, Visualization, and Display 2019, edited by Bahram Javidi

Jung-Young Son, Osamu Matoba, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 10997, 109970I · © 2019
SPIE · CCC code: 0277-786X/19/$18 · doi: 10.1117/12.2522508

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 2.2 Design concept of Holo-Table
The directional images are 2D parallax graphics that are orthographic projection of 3D objects. This method requires
projecting these directional images to corresponding directions by parallel rays as shown in Fig. 1 (b). The rotating angle
of the Holo-Screen and the projected parallax image are controlled synchronously. When the ray angle pitch becomes
small enough the rays from display reconstruct the same rays from 3D objects. Therefore, this method allows us to
observe reconstructed 3D images without having any special glasses. Thus displayed 3D image has then smooth motion
parallax, and the viewing position is not restricted. Since the holographic screen as a beam deflector sets horizontally, 3D
image has a 360-degree full horizontal viewing angle.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1. Configuration of Holo-Table; (a) schematic illustration of Holo-Table and observer, (b) optical configuration, (c)
function of the rotational hologram screen.

2.3 Prototype system development and demonstration

Figure 2 shows the developed Holo-Table (compact prototype) and 3D image display demonstration result. To create a
high diffraction efficiency Bragg grating photopolymer was utilized of hologram as shown in Fig. 2 (a). Prototype
system displayed 360-degree viewable 3D images as shown in Fig. 2 (b) and (c), parallax images (2D) were captured by
every 1-degree different angles, i.e. 360 pieces of picture images were projected with over 20,000 frames per second.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2. Developed compact Holo-Table (prototype) and 3D image displaying; (a) exposed Holo-Screen, (b) prototype system
and displayed 360 degree viewable 3D image, (c) observed 3D image from 90 degree different angle.

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 3. HOLOGRAPHIC 3D-IMAGE PRINTING SYSTEM “CDP-1”
3.1 Motivation
In recent years, so-called 3D-Printer-System that model three-dimensional objects are widely used, and models that can
achieve a tactile sensation close to the real thing have been realized. However, it is difficult in modeling to express
airflow such as a nuclear fusion phenomenon on a three-dimensional space. In such a case, a full-parallax 3D
stereoscopic image printer system is suitable. Therefore, Holographic 3D-image Printer System using collinear
technology “CDP-1” was constructed and its performance were demonstrated.
3.2 Principle and developed Holographic 3D-image Printer System applied by collinear technology
Figure 3 shows the principle of recording and reconstruct the 3D image by collinear technology. Since the information
beam and reference beam are projected from just single objective lens simultaneously, the optical head can be placed on
one side of the holographic recording medium. The three-dimensional holographic image is recorded partially by
dividing it, and expose whole of them into a recording sheet-type medium such as the photopolymer roll film. The full-
parallax stereoscopic 3D image can be reproduced forward and backward from the recorded sheet. Figure 4 shows
developed Holographic 3D-image Printer System “CDP-1”, its printing process and printed out sample.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3. Principle of holographic 3D-image printer system by applying collinear technology; (a) reflection-type of partial
hologram recording scheme with polarization control by single objective lens, (b) reconstruction from partial hologram by white
light illumination, (c) schematic explanation of 3D image creation in the space.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4. Developed Holographic 3D-image Printer System “CDP-1”; (a) appearance of the system, (b) collinear recording main
part, (c) reconstructed full parallax 3D model image.

4. SOLAR POWER GENERATION UNIT “HOLO-WINDOW”

4.1 Motivation
In case of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), photovoltaic materials are used to replace conventional building
materials. Additionally the vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) is argued that the hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)
create an opportunity for PV to serve as an energy source for the transport sector. However Conventional PV unit is

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 Solid and Shade, it means the total construction cost becoming considerably high. Therefore, we proposed the see-
through-window type photovoltaic generating unit by applying holographic technology called “Holographic Window
(Holo-Window)”.
4.2 Principle and prototyping of Holo-Window
Figure 5 (a) shows the principle schematically. The spatially designed hologram is used to capture the sunlight that
passes through the windowpane into the glass plate of the Holo-Window by a diffraction effect. When the captured light
travels to the edge of the glass, it also combines with other captured light beams, and the light intensity increases
dramatically. Finally, electricity will be generated by the small ribbon-shaped solar cells that are placed near the
windowsill. Figure 5 (b) shows prototype unit compare with the conventional PV unit. Conventional PV unit is Solid and
Shade; it means there is no transparency, and lighting area equally to the PV cell area; it means large size of cell will be
needed to prepare for large size BIPV. On the other hand, in the Holo-Window unit, lighting area and PV cell area are
physically separated. Since hologram is worked for certain incident angle and selected wavelength of light, ambient light
from the window is easy to transmit. The total cost will be expected considerably low in Holo-Window. Figure 5 (c) is
the demonstration model that fabricated hologram (photopolymer film) was attached on the wall of the grass building.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 5. Principle and prototype of Holo-Window; (a) schematic illustration of principle, (b) laboratory prototype unit and
comparing with the conventional PV unit, (c) demonstration model building of Holo-Window.

5. HOLOGRAPHIC FRONT ILLUMINATOR “EGA-RIM” AND “EGARIM-PBS”

5.1 Motivation and proof of concept
Figure 6 (a) shows the typical examples of illumination method, which has been widely used hologram field. An external
light source is mandatory to set in front or back of the image hologram for observing the sufficient quality of holographic
image. This fact might be the big problem disturbing the development and market growth of hologram field, we thought.
If alternative simple lighting and expression methods for holographic content and holographic pictures are proposed,
hologram technology would open up the door to many markets and industries. Therefore, we proposed the solutions to
solve this problem by applying the holographic technologies as shown in Fig. 6 (b). Using the Holo-Window’s function
in reverse as shown in Fig. 6 (c), attached hologram film on the thin glass surface works as a front illuminator for 3D-
image-hologram. Hologram can be helping the hologram’s future. This illumination unit can be set very close to the
hologram content or hologram picture, i.e. enables to combine with them as an photo-frame. In Japanese, usually the
picture pronounces /e/ or /ga/, and a frame is a rim in English. Therefore, this unit is so-called “Ega-rim”.
5.2 Polarization separation characteristics in Ega-rim
We discovered that especially thin Ega-rim, such as 1 mm thick see-through lighting unit, has polarization separation
function. Hologram material was conventional photopolymer, however, only s-polarized component was diffracted from
Ega-rim surface. Figure 7 shows the experimental setup and evaluation results. In exposure of hologram, optical axes “A”
and “B” were set 90 degree, and photopolymer material was sandwiched between two glass blocks as shown in Fig. 7 (a).
The light “A” taken in from the end edge of glass block was transmitted through the hologram media, due to its optical

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 index matching effect. As shown in Fig. 7 (b) and (c), when circular polarized light took into from the edge of glass only
s-polarization component was diffracted from glass surface. Extinction ratio was over 100:1, so we named this optical
component as “Ega-rim PBS”.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 6. Motivation of Ega-rim development; (a) commonly used external lighting unit for hologram image observation, (b)
conceptual illustration of Ega-rim, (c) hologram design parameter (d) proof of concept by experiment.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 7. Experimental setup and evaluation results; (a) exposure setup of Ega-rim, (b) polarization evaluation results, (c)
polarization status in actual setup.
5.3 Application of Egarim-PBS unit to product development
In recent years, development of various eyeglass-type head mounted displays (HMD or Smart Glass) has been advanced.
However, almost of them are still bulky. One of the causes is that the image projection optical unit mounted inside is
bulky, because the size is determined by optical component such as the PBS and the lenses, and the optical path design.
Especially conventional PBS and other optical elements inevitably occupy a large three-dimensional space. On the other
hand, since the hologram optical element (HOE) can integrate several optical functions, its application to miniaturization
of an optical system has been considered. However, until now, there has been no example in which the polarization
separation function usable in the waveguide structure has been incorporated.
Figure 8 shows our first Egarim-PBS function integrated front illuminator prototype unit (Egarim-PBS unit) for
Ferroelectric-LCOS (F-LCOS) display device. The display device size was 0.24 inch. The glass substrate thickness of
Egarim-PBS unit was only 1mm, and two kind of HOE were integrated on the same photopolymer sheet as shown in Fig.
8 (a) schematically. RGB LEDs light are collimated by HOE1 and transferred to the HOE2, then multi-directional
illumination light were produced from HOE2 to F-LCOS, and on-pixels information with p-polarization component are
transmit through Egarim-PBS. Figure 8 (b) shows the actual devices pictures and image observes demonstration results.
Just placed the Egarim-PBS unit on the F-LCOS device, the color image was observed clearly with high contrast.

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 (a) (b)
Figure 8. Egarim-PBS function integrated front illuminator prototype unit for Ferroelectric-LCOS display device; (a) HOE
function design in Egarim-PBS unit, (b) actual devices pictures and image observes demonstration results through Egarim-PBS.

6. SUMMARY
Holograms have the potential to innovate in various industries. In order to overcome the major barriers to the
development and market growth of holograms, we have proposed new technologies that make use of holographic
technology and have conducted some research and development. On the other hand, unless industrial fields that consume
a large amount of holograms grow, we cannot expect improvement and widespread use of recording media such as
photopolymer films. In this respect, the Holo-Window project we are working on is a boost. For example, in order to turn
urban buildings into mega solar, a large demand for tens of thousands of square meters of photopolymer film can be
expected with only one building. At that time, it is essential to establish a hologram mass production technology by ultra-
high speed large area continuous exposure, and the technology development is also advanced. Our mission is to deliver
high-performance, high-value hologram technology in the near future, as well as to consumers, developers,
manufacturers and others involved in hologram development.

REFERENCES

[1] Toshihiro Kasezawa, Hideyoshi Horimai, Hiroshi Tabuchi and Tsutomu Shimura, “Holographic window for
solar power generation,” Optical Review 23(6), 997-1003 (2016).
[2] Hideyoshi Horimai, Xiaodi Tan, and Jun Li, “Collinear Holography,” Applied Optics 44(13), 2575-2579 (2005).
[3] Toshihiro Kasezawa, Hideyoshi Horimai, Hiroshi Tabuchi and Tsutomu Shimura, “1mm-thick Holographic
Polarized Beam Splitter ~Egarim PBS~” IWH 2017 Tech. Digest 24a3 (2017).

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