Holographic Optical Elements in Alicante: History and Beyond

In this webinar, we will explore the evolution of holographic optical elements and their applications developed in Alicante from the 1980s to the present day.

The development of these elements has been closely linked to advances in holographic recording materials and the changing demands of society.

The session will begin with the fundamental concepts behind holography and the requirements for holographic recording materials and the first Applications, such as holographic data storage.

We will then delve into recent applications and cutting-edge research from our ongoing projects, including see-through displays, solar concentrators, biosensors, and the fabrication of complex diffractive optical elements.

Subject Matter Level: Introductory - Assumes little previous knowledge of the topic

What You Will Learn:
• The evolution of techniques for fabricating diffractive optical elements, shaped by advancements in holographic materials and emerging technological needs.
• Fundamental concepts of holography and the essential properties of materials used for holographic recording, including early applications like data storage.
• Current and emerging applications of holographic optical elements, such as see-through displays, solar concentrators, biosensors, and advanced optical components.

Who Should Attend:
• Students and early-career researchers interested in holography, photonics, and optical engineering.
• Scientists and professionals working in the fields of optics, materials science, and applied optics.
• Industry specialists and innovators seeking to explore advanced applications of diffractive and holographic optical elements.

About the Presenter: Sergi Gallego Rico from Physics Professor at Alicante University (Spain)

Sergi Gallego graduated in physics in 2001 from the University of Valencia, Spain, and received the PhD (with honours) from the University of Alicante, Spain, in 2005. He has been a Full Professor in Applied Physics since 2017 at the University of Alicante. He has visited as a researcher the UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Ireland (2003 and 2005), the Institut für Kristallographie of the Universität zu Köln, Germany (2010), and Universität zu Dresden (2014). His research is focused on holography, holographic recording materials, LCDs for holographic applications, electromagnetic theory, diffractive optical elements, and on ultrafast laser materials processing. He coauthored two patents and more than 140 scientific publications on the above-mentioned subjects in journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports (ISI). He is a Fellow member of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE).