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Hologram Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hologram

[ˈhɒləɡræm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

visual representation

A hologram is a three-dimensional image created by the interference of light beams from a laser or other coherent light source. Unlike traditional photographs, holograms can display images with depth and parallax, allowing viewers to see different perspectives as they move. They are used in a variety of applications including data storage, security features on credit cards, and artistic displays. Holography, the technique used to create holograms, captures the light scattered from an object and records it to form a holographic image.

Synonyms

3D image, spectral image.

Examples of usage

  • The concert featured a hologram of the late singer performing on stage.
  • Holograms are often used in security devices to prevent counterfeiting.
  • Museums are beginning to use holograms to recreate historical figures.
  • The technology behind creating a hologram can be quite complex.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Holograms are created by recording light patterns from a laser and reconstructing them to create a 3D image.
  • They can store large amounts of information; a patch of holographic film can hold more data than a traditional CD.
  • Unlike photographs, holograms capture the phase and amplitude of light, giving them depth and perspective.

Pop Culture

  • Holograms are often featured in sci-fi movies, like when Princess Leia appears as a hologram in 'Star Wars'.
  • In 2012, the late rapper Tupac Shakur 'performed' as a hologram at the Coachella music festival, stunning audiences.
  • Holography has become a popular tool in art, with artists creating interactive installations that change based on viewer movement.

Technology

  • Modern VR headsets often use holographic technology to create immersive experiences that feel real.
  • Researchers are exploring holograms for data storage, aiming to use them for faster and more efficient computing.
  • Holographic displays are being developed for applications in medicine, allowing for better visualization of complex structures.

Literature

  • Holography is a common theme in speculative fiction, exploring implications of image and reality in works by authors like Arthur C. Clarke.
  • In Philip K. Dick's stories, holograms often illustrate the blurred line between real and artificial, prompting philosophical questions.
  • The artistic representation of holograms can be found in poetry and essays discussing the nature of perception and illusion.

Origin of 'hologram'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Greek words 'holos' meaning 'whole' and 'gramma' meaning 'thing written'.
  • The concept was first introduced in 1947 by the Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor while working on electron microscopy.
  • Gabor's invention was not widely used until laser technology was developed in the 1960s, allowing clearer holograms.

The word 'hologram' originates from the Greek words 'holos,' meaning 'whole,' and 'gramma,' meaning 'message' or 'something written.' The term was first coined in the 1940s by Hungarian-born physicist Dennis Gabor, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971 for his work on holography. Holography as a technique emerged following the invention of the laser in the 1960s, which provided the coherent light necessary for creating holograms. Since then, advancements in technology have expanded the applications of holography beyond mere art into various fields, including medicine, data storage, and security, illustrating the versatility and potential of this optical phenomenon.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,615, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.