Why did holography become more practical after lasers were developed?

Holography became practical following the development of the laser in the early 1960s because of the unique properties of laser light, specifically its high degree of coherence and high intensity.1

When Dennis Gabor invented holography in 1948, he relied on light sources that lacked these qualities. While coherence could be achieved by focusing light through a tiny pinhole, this method reduced the light intensity so significantly that it rendered the process impractical for most applications.1

In contrast, a laser provides a bright, continuous beam of coherent light, which is essential for recording the phase and intensity of light waves reflected from an object. By splitting a laser beam into an object beam and a reference beam, scientists can create a stable interference pattern on a photographic plate. This breakthrough allowed for the successful recording and reconstruction of three-dimensional images, transforming holography from a theoretical concept into a versatile tool for research and imaging.123