Microgravity materials and life sciences research applications of digital holography.

We investigate the utility of digital holographic interferometry for analyzing gravity-dependent mass transport phenomena as applicable to materials and life science research topics. Digital holography is useful for measurement of parameters that introduce phase changes in light traversing the material of interest, such as temperature or concentration variations in an aqueous environment. We have constructed, tested, and verified a compact, portable digital holographic monitor (DHM) suitable for characterization of transparent samples. It has proved useful for the study of systems such as protein crystal growth solutions and has been proposed for further application into studies involving microbial metabolism. The DHM is also sufficiently rugged for field operation in challenging environments a s may be encountered in a spacecraft or industrial setting. We discuss some system capabilities and limitations.