The mode theory of transmission volume holograms is developed, taking into account the vector character of the electromagnetic field. In scalar recording media, eigenmodes are twice degenerated with reference to the state of polarization of the reconstructing field. Using this theory, the transformation laws of wave, with arbitrary spatially nonuniform field distribution and the state of polarization by a volume hologram are found. Two construction methods are detailed: (1) the reference beam has a wide angular spectrum, (2) the reference beam consists of two plane orthogonally polarized waves. In both cases the magnitudes of diffraction efficiency and polarization noise are calculated. Expressions obtained permit optimization of construction and reconstruction for both cases. In particular, we found the conditions on the reference beam for full reconstruction of the object field, including the whole structure of polarization.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription