Silver halide sensitized gelatin holograms in Slavich PFG-01 red-sensitive emulsion

Silver halide sensitized gelatin (SHSG) is an interesting technique for the production of holographic optical elements. It combines the high sensitivity of photographic emulsions with the well-known low scattering and high diffraction efficiency corresponding to dichromated gelatin. In this paper we describe SHSG holograms recorded on Slavich PFG-01 emulsions. We will show that real high diffraction efficiencies can be obtained (as high as 93% allowing for reflections) when using this material for recording phase transmission holograms. The influence of the bleach bath temperature and a hardening bath in the processing was studied and the procedure was optimized for these two parameters. Our investigations reveal that PFG-01 emulsion is not only a substitute for Agfa material, but also offers better results, at a moment in which Agfa has stopped its production of holographic material.