Robert A (Bob) Hess has been working with lasers and making holograms since 1980. His focus was on pictorial holography for the first twenty years of his career, when he made commercial “master” holograms, and the first published full-parallax “integral” hologram.
The second half of his career has been focused on making holographic versions of lenses and prisms called “holographic optical elements”. These kinds of holograms are currently used in virtual reality goggles and heads-up displays in aircraft and cars.
Bob’s hands-on experience with holography and lasers in general helps him explain these complex technologies in practical terms. He can explain the basic elements common to all lasers, how to handle lasers and work with their beams safely, and how to easily make holograms at home.