System and method for replicating volume holograms

A system for contact recording multiple holograms comprising:

• a first, second, and third master hologram with variable diffraction efficiencies;
• a first, second, and third holographic blank wherein the first, second, and third master hologram and the first, second, and third holographic blanks are in optical contact, forming a stack;
• and
• a first, second, and third recording beam, wherein when the first recording beam is incident upon the stack, the first master hologram is ON and the second and third master holograms are OFF, forming a first replica hologram with variable diffraction efficiency of the first master hologram in the first holographic blank;
• when the second recording beam is incident on the stack, the first and third master holograms are OFF, the first replica hologram is OFF, and the second master hologram is ON, forming a second replica hologram with variable diffraction efficiency of the second master hologram in the second holographic blank;
• when the third recording beam is incident on the stack, the first and second master holograms are OFF, the first and second replica holograms are OFF, and the third master hologram is ON, forming a third replica hologram with variable diffraction efficiency of the third master hologram in the third holographic blank.

A method for contact printing multiple master holograms comprising:

• providing a stack comprised of first, second, and third master holograms with variable diffraction efficiencies and first, second, and third holographic blanks that are in optical contact;
• switching ON the first master hologram;
• exposing the stack with a first recording beam, forming a first replica hologram with variable diffraction efficiency within the first holographic blank;
• switching OFF the first master hologram and switching ON the second master hologram;
• exposing the stack with a second recording beam, forming a second replica hologram with variable diffraction efficiency within the second holographic blank;
• switching OFF the second master hologram and switching ON the third master hologram;
• and
• exposing the stack with a third recording beam, forming a third replica hologram with electrically controllable variable diffraction efficiency within the third holographic blank.