The history of holographic research and practice at De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester, UK goes back many years to before the days of Profs Nick Philips and Hans Bjelkhagen, and more recently to Prof Martin Richardson’s activities in colour holography. We can now add to that list the name of Prof Christine White (Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities), who has taken over the direction of the Holography Lab at DMU.

Established in 1993, the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) has evolved into a global voice on authentication and security devices. Now, five former chairs – and one general secretary – reflect on 30 years of holography growth while offering a glimpse of an exciting future for the technology.

The Gupta brothers, Shobhit and Ankit, are Joint Managing Directors of the Holostik Group – a diversified business conglomerate in sectors including chemicals, biodegradable products, real-estate, warehousing, and digital technology.

After the initial wave of commercial applications of holography in the early 1980s the holographic industry, at least for transfer films and labels, was spread across four distinct areas of competence: origination, mass-production, converting and application & finishing.

Prof David Brotherton-Ratcliffe’s work in applied optics has to a large extent mirrored the fortunes of holography. Holography News met up with David and his team at Geola’s research labs in the UK to find out more about his current research interests.