Renewed interest in photopolymers as producers multiply and quality rises.(TECHNOLOGY FEATURE)

At Holo * Pack Holo * Print 2008 three unrelated presentations gave pause for thought and signaled either a new direction in holography or events turning full circle, depending on one's point of view.

All three presentations centered around volume holograms produced in photosensitive polymeric media rather than the embossed microstructures that have held commercial sway for so many years. The centerpiece of the conference exhibition was a darkened enclosure containing full color display images of rock crystals, a Faberge egg and other eye-catching subjects chosen to showcase the medium. The medium, in this case, being the photopolymeric film developed by Bayer and used to great effect by Canadian company UHR (Ultimate Holographic Reproductions). What was particularly impressive was the fact that UHR has developed replication technology to facilitate the commercialization of such images on photopolymcr.

Applied …