Apparatus and method for displaying transmission and reflection holograms

A reflection hologram display apparatus, comprising:

• a light source or a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light to illuminate a reflection hologram and consequently form a color holographic image;
• a reflection hologram constructed to form the color holographic image;
• at least a first mirror capable of reflecting light from the light source or the plurality of light sources;
• a hologram surface which forms a color holographic image;
• a spectral reflector;
• wherein said first mirror is configured substantially perpendicular to said spectral reflector;
• wherein light from the light source or the plurality of light sources reflects from said first mirror and first passes through the reflection hologram onto said spectral reflector which is configured substantially parallel to the reflection hologram and which reflects light back towards the reflection hologram at the illumination angle of the reflection hologram and wherein the color holographic image is recreated and transmitted through the spectral reflector to a viewer;
• wherein the light incident on the reflection hologram comes substantially from below, in which case it does not diffract strongly any illumination from above, preventing at least a stray-light from degrading the quality of the formed color holographic image;
• wherein the spectral reflector is mounted substantially in front of the reflection hologram and between the reflection hologram and the viewer;
• and
• wherein the spectral reflector reflects incoming light from the light source or the plurality of light sources which is an illumination light at an angle of incidence of at least 70° relative to a hologram normal to the hologram surface of the reflection hologram.