Optical reconstruction of digital holograms recorded at 10.6 ¼m: route for 3D imaging at long infrared wavelengths

We demonstrate the optical reconstruction in the visible range (0.532 mu m) of digital holograms recorded at long IR wavelengths (10.6 mu m) by means of a spatial light modulator. By using an integrated recording-reconstruction system, it is, in fact, feasible to achieve direct imaging of holograms acquired outside the visible range, i.e., in the IR spectrum. By choosing a Fourier recording configuration, the reconstructed image, obtained at about a 20 times shorter wavelength than the acquisition image, exhibits minor aberrations, which do not significantly affect the optical reconstruction. The high NA achievable at a long IR wavelength allows us to image large objects at reasonable distances.