ISO 17901-1:2015

Overview

ISO 17901-1:2015 - Optics and photonics - Holography - Part 1 defines standardized methods for measuring diffraction efficiency and associated optical characteristics of holograms. It establishes terms, coordinate conventions and measurement principles for holograms that yield a simple diffraction pattern (reconstructed waves clearly separable from other diffracted/non‑diffracted waves). The standard is material‑agnostic (no restriction on hologram recording materials) and is the basis for consistent, comparable optical characterization of holograms.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: precise terms for holograms, object/reference/illuminating/reconstructed waves, transmission/reflection/volume/surface‑relief holograms, Q‑value, diffraction efficiency, angular and wavelength selectivity.
• Measurement principles: defines absolute and relative diffraction efficiency measurements, and measurement of angular selectivity and wavelength selectivity as functions of incidence angle and wavelength.
• Coordinate system: hologram plane = xy, z axis normal to plane; sign conventions for incident and reconstructed waves.
• Measurement environment: dark room, room temperature, stable relative humidity, and control of stray light.
• Required instrumentation:
  • Light source with high temporal stability (example: ±5% or better over 30 min for lasers).
  • Mirrors with surface accuracy (example: better than 1/10 wavelength).
  • Calibrated detectors with appropriate dynamic range.
  • Monochromator with ~1 nm spectral resolution or better.
  • Integrating sphere (high‑reflectance inner coating; barium sulfate as typical coating).
• Measurement methods covered: absolute diffraction efficiency, relative diffraction efficiency, spectral diffraction efficiency by transmittance (volume holograms), spectral diffraction efficiency by reflectance (volume holograms), angular selectivity, wavelength selectivity.
• Reporting: standardized description of measurement results and conditions to ensure repeatability and traceability.

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO 17901-1 is practical for:

• Hologram manufacturers and quality control labs (display, AR/VR optics, diffraction elements).
• Optical engineers and R&D teams developing holographic optical elements.
• Security printing and anti‑counterfeiting specialists validating holographic features.
• Metrology and test laboratories seeking reproducible measurements and inter‑laboratory comparability. Benefits include consistent performance metrics, reliable comparison between products/processes, and clear test-reporting requirements.

Related standards

• ISO 17901-2: Methods for measurement of hologram recording characteristics (companion document).
• ISO 15902: Diffractive optics - Vocabulary (normative reference used for terms).

Keywords: ISO 17901-1, holography standard, diffraction efficiency measurement, angular selectivity, wavelength selectivity, optics and photonics, hologram testing, measurement methods.