Structure and Design of HoloGen

TL;DR

HoloGen is a versatile, user-friendly software tool that simplifies the generation of computer-generated holograms using various algorithms, leveraging GPU acceleration and a graphical interface.

Contribution

This paper introduces HoloGen, an accessible application that enables hologram generation without expert guidance, featuring a flexible architecture and GPU-based computation.

Findings

Supports multiple hologram algorithms

Provides a user-friendly GUI for non-experts

Utilizes GPU acceleration for efficient processing

Abstract

Increasing popularity of augmented and mixed reality systems has seen a similar increase of interest in 2D and 3D computer generated holography (CGH). Unlike stereoscopic approaches, CGH can fully represent a light field including depth of focus, accommodation and vergence. Along with existing telecommunications, imaging, projection, lithography, beam shaping and optical tweezing applications, CGH is an exciting technique applicable to a wide array of photonic problems including full 3D representation. Traditionally, the primary roadblock to acceptance has been the significant numerical processing required to generate holograms requiring both significant expertise and significant computational power. This article discusses the structure and design of HoloGen. HoloGen is an MIT licensed application that may be used to generate holograms using a wide array of algorithms without expert guidance. HoloGen uses a Cuda C and C++ backend with a C# and Windows Presentation Framework graphical user interface. The article begins by introducing HoloGen before providing an in-depth discussion of its design and structure. Particular focus is given to the communication, data transfer and algorithmic aspects.