Plastic optical fibers as optical illuminators for digital holography and structured fringe patterns generation

We describe the use of step, double-step, and graded-index PMMA-based plastic optical fibers (POFs) as the laser light conductors for the digital Fourier transform holography and for the structured fringe patterns generation for interferometric applications. That is, using POFs is possible to generate holograms with contrast and resolution comparable to the case of open air light propagation using red lines of diode or He–Ne lasers. Also, with POFs illumination, structured fringe patterns with high contrast and resolution can be produced. Thus it provides enough visibility and spatial frequency for possible applications as holographic profilometry and interferometric nondestructive testing.