Abstract

We report on the implementation of an all optical image amplifier by use of two wave mixing based on the photorefractive effect, to a micro-lithographic authentification system. The combination of a computer driven spatial light modulator and a holographic image amplifier enables the parallel engraving of information without the need of previously prepared masks. The necessity for an amplification of the information carrying beam emerges from the fact that the damage threshold of the spatial light modulation device is lower than the energy density required for imprinting the information onto the objects surface.

This work is embedded in a European Growth project, Holographic Authenticity Sensors, GRD1-1999-11078.

© 2003 Optical Society of America