Holographic interferometry with photorefractive crystals. Early experiments and results of the ongoing european project PHIFE

Photorefractive crystals offer many advantages over other classical holographic recording media. They allow fast in-situ processable holographic recording as well as indefinite reusability. Moreover high signal-to-noise ratio can be reached as well as high resolutions. We present several types of holographic instruments using such materials. Here we will emphasize their applications in vibration measurements. A first one is based on the classical stroboscopic technique, a second one uses a pulsed laser. We describe also the recent results obtained in the framework of the european project PHIFE (Pulsed Holographic Interferomete for the analysis of Fast Events), aiming at developing a full field measurement system of vibrations modes at high repetition rate.