Introduction to Holography
Make Great Holograms.
This self-paced online class is designed for beginners, hobbyists and students / educators who wish to learn the basic fundamentals of making REAL laser holograms. With over 3 hours of instructional media, you will receive a brief history, explore practical applications, review basic concepts and theory, and acquire methods and best practices of making holograms. Carefully. Methodically. Correctly.
You will learn about various holographic formats, gas and diode lasers, and recording media. You will have access to helpful PDF documents to conduct your own knowledge excavation. Next, you'll receive step-by-step instruction on setting up your own starter DIY holography studio / lab, much of it from inexpensive (even no-cost), readily available materials. You will gain insights and instruction on making your first hologram, and explore next steps, including an introduction to full color holography.
Register when you want to. Start when you want to. Finish when you want to. The choice is yours. There is no time limit to complete the course, and you can progress at your own pace: as quickly or as slowly as you wish.
It is my goal to provide you with a great foundation that will last a lifetime.
See the curriculum section below for the full, 10-part class syllabus.
Your Instructor
My name is Frank DeFreitas and as of 2019, I have had my own laser and holography studio/lab for 35 years (now happily retired except for speaking engagements). Since 1983, my past clients have included: The Smithsonian Institution, Wash. D.C. (The Hirshhorn Museum & Ripley Education Center): Presentations (Hirshhorn) Yearly Summer Workshop Programs (Ripley; last in 2015); The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA: Laser and Holography Workshop Programs; Stevens Institute of Technology: Presentations; Liberty Science Center, NJ: Workshop Programs; The Discovery Center of Science and Technology, PA: Workshop Programs; CAVS: Center for Advanced Visual Studies, MIT: Guest presentation on Holography, Summer Program; Lehigh University Physics Dept.: Summer Workshop Programs; University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Revolutionary War Solider Holography Project; MENSA: 2x Conference Keynote Speaker; California Institute of Technology (CalTech/JPL): Diode Laser Driver; The Creation Evidence Museum of Texas; Workshops and Presentations; Northampton Community College: Workshops and Presentation; Lehigh-Carbon Community College: Workshops and Presentation; Allentown Art Museum: Holograms for Max Hess Gallery; Rodale Press, Inc.: Holograms for Robert Rodale, Book Convention and Lobby; WFMZ TV 69: Logo Hologram for Lobby; NASA / Northrop Grumman: Hologram of Space Station Freedom; Georgian Court University Physics Dept.: Workshops and Presentations; AT&T; Lucent Technologies: Holograms for Awards Ceremony; U.S. Navy Subcontractor: Drone LIDAR RGB Holographic Imaging (prototyping); Fuji Film Corp.: Workshops and Presentations for Key Employees; Dupont (Wilmington, DE): Workshop and Orientation for Holographic Materials Support Personnel; The Urban Systemic Initiative (NSF): Multi-Year Educational Programs; along with many elementary, middle and high school programs over 30+ years. National Science Foundation-funded programs; scouts; home school groups; corporate events; birthday parties; and teaching the very first online class for holography through America On Line in 1995.
I am an elected member of Sigma-Pi-Sigma; the National Physics Honor Society; American Institute of Physics; for my work in laser and holography educational programs.Frequently Asked Questions
In order to take full advantage of this class, you should have an understanding of internet web site navigation, have the capability to play standard web video and audio files, and the ability to download and open adobe acrobat PDF files.
With 34 years working with lasers and holography, my #1 goal with this class (after solid content) was for it to be as *affordable* as possible, to as many people as possible, around the world. So don't let the price discourage you from taking the class. Or think that it couldn't be of any value at such a low price. Consider it an altruistic deed on my part after a wonderful, fulfilling lifetime in the field. Remember, it is based on the same content that I have previously presented each year at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. ... one of the greatest educational museums in the world today.