Image recording and display by embossable surface-relief structures

High-density information recording and replication using surface-relief structures is a well established process in phonograph record and video disk production. In this talk, we describe a promising new development—the recording of two-dimensional black/white and color images by surface-relief phase gratings. These can be replicated rapidly and inexpensively by hot embossing into clear thermoplastic sheets and are well suited for information dissemination in a compact format, e.g., microfiche. Unlike holographically encoded surface-relief images,1,2 they can be displayed with 100% efficiency in conventional optical projectors designed for photographic transparencies. Unlike photographic materials, however, they absorb no light and hence are free from overheating and color fading problems.