Holographic video display system
A holographic video display comprises a monochromatic light source, a video signal generator, guided-wave acousto-optic modulators for diffracting light according to signals received from the video signal generator, a vertical scanning subsystem, and an optical path between the acousto-optic modulator and the vertical scanning subsystem. The optical path preferably comprises a Bravais lens system, first and second Fourier transform lens systems, and at least one holographic optical element or stationary mirror of continuous helical shape. In a method for generating a holographic image, monochromatic light is provided to at least one guided-wave acousto-optic modulator, the received light is diffracted according to a video signal, the guided-wave modulator aperture is scanned to produce a holo-line, the motion of the diffraction pattern is undone to render the holo-line stationary, the guided-wave modulator aperture is demagnified to create a wide field of view, and the holo-lines are tiled vertically to create the image.
1. A holographic video display system comprising:
at least one monochromatic light source;
a video signal generator;
at least one guided-wave acousto-optic modulator for diffracting light received from the light source according to at least one video signal received from the video signal generator;
a vertical scanning subsystem for rendering a holographic image; and
an optical path for passing the diffracted light from the acousto-optic modulator to the vertical scanning subsystem, the optical path comprising:
a Bravais lens system;
a first Fourier transform lens system;
at least one holographic optical element or at least one stationary mirror of continuous helical shape; and
a second Fourier transform lens system.
2. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator is a two-dimensional device.
3. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the vertical scanning subsystem further comprises a galvanometric scanner.
4. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the vertical scanning subsystem further comprises a motor.
5. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the vertical scanning subsystem further comprises a micro-electromechanical scanner.
6. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , further comprising a polarizer that blocks undiffracted light from exiting the guided-wave mosulator.
7. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the first Fourier transform lens system is a telephoto lens system.
8. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the second Fourier transform lens system performs demagnification.
9. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator further comprises video signal inputs for multiple frequency bands.
10. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein the color of the monochromatic light source changes with time in order to create a time-sequential full-color display.
11. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein there are three monochromatic light sources, one light source each being red, blue, and green, and three guided-wave modulators, each guided-wave modulator receiving light from one of the three monochromatic light sources.
12. The holographic video display system of claim 1 , wherein there are three monochromatic light sources, one light source each being red, blue, and green, and the guided-wave modulator sequentially cycles through receiving light from each of the three monochromatic light sources.
13. A holographic video image produced using the display of claim 1 .
14. A method for generating a holographic image, comprising:
providing monochromatic light to at least one guided-wave acousto-optic modulator;
diffracting the received light according to at least one video signal;
scanning the aperture of the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator to produce a holo-line;
undoing the motion of the diffraction pattern to render the holo-line stationary;
demagnifying the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator aperture to create a wide field of view; and
tiling the holo-lines vertically to create the holographic image.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator is a two-dimensional device.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of tiling the holo-lines vertically is performed via a galvanometric scanner, motor, or micro-electromechanical scanner.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of using a polarizer to block undiffracted light exiting the guided-wave modulator.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of demagnifying is performed via a Fourier transform lens system.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the guided-wave acousto-optic modulator receives video signal inputs for multiple frequency bands.
20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of changing the color of the monochromatic light source with time in order to create a time-sequential full-color display.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein there are three monochromatic light sources, one light source each being red, blue, and green, and three guided-wave modulators, each guided-wave modulator receiving light from one of the three monochromatic light sources.
22. The method of claim 14 , wherein there are three monochromatic light sources, one light source each being red, blue, and green, and further comprising the step of sequentially cycling the guided-wave modulator through receiving light from each of the three monochromatic light sources.
23. A holographic video display that employs the method of claim 14 .