USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

John A Trias

Peter R Hammond

Erhard J Schimitschek

Ronald A Henry

Parviz Soltan

Robert V Belfatto, Sr

Weldon J Dahlke

Frank Sanzone

Neil P Acantilado

William E Richards

John E Celto

John Marez

Christopher J Poulos

Erhard J Schimitischek

A three dimensional display system comprises a display volume selectively partitioned into distinct display regions, a display surface for scattering light beams from the display volume, at least two optical scanners for modulating the light beams and for directing the light beams to the display surface within each distinct display region respectively, and a display controller. The display controller comprises a world coordinate interface for inputting world coordinates, a data processor for transforming the world coordinates into view coordinates and device coordinates, and an optical scanner controller for sensing and controlling the motion of the display surface and for outputting the device coordinates to the optical scanners to generate a three dimensional image within the display volume.

Computer controlled three-dimensional volumetric display

A system for generating three dimensional images includes a data processor which generates a first data stream representing coordinates along a first axis, a second data stream representing coordinates along a second axis, and a third data stream representing intensities of optical beams. A demultiplexer transforms the first, second, and third data streams into multiple control signals each comprised of elements of the first, second and third data streams. The system further includes an optical energy source for generating an optical signal, and an optical beam steering system which divides the optical signal into multiple optical beams which are individually deflected and intensity modulated under the control of one of the control signals. The optical beams then are recombined and steered to reflect off the reflecting surface of a reflective structure, resulting in the presentation of a 3D image.

Laser based 3D volumetric display system

A high definition, video-rate laser-addressed liquid-crystal light-valve projection display provides for real-time applications to large-area projection displays. A laser raster scanner uses acousto-optic components to modulate and deflect the laser beam. An acoustic optical, acoustic traveling wave lens is included to increase the optical resolution of the scanner system. A liquid-crystal light-valve spatially is modulated by a high resolution coherent beam to responsibly modulate a high intensity light coming from an arc lamp source. The modulated high intensity light is reflected from the liquid-crystal light-valve and is projected onto a large screen. The use of acousto-optic Bragg cells to modulate, horizontally track, horizontally chirp and vertically impart a beam of coherent light allows a projection of a 1075-line RS-343A high definition or resolution TV standard image on the screen.

High definition video-rate laser-addressed liquid-crystal light-valve

A number of viewers wearing polarized glasses are presented real-time, hiresolution, three-dimensional projected images on a distant screen at video image signal rates. Two laser raster scanners each activate a separate one of two liquid crystal light valves with information representative of left or right eye images. A high intensity light source is polarized through a prism so that one component is directed to one liquid crystal light valve and an orthogonal component reaches the other liquid crystal light valve. Both components of the high intensity light are modulated by the valves and reflected back through the prism onto the distant screen. Laser diodes and solid-state vertical and horizontal deflection components in the laser raster scanners combined with the liquid crystal light valves and a single bi-polar prism result in a reliable, compact unit capable of providing long term economical displays. Three-dimensional viewing in real-time gives planners a more realistic apprisal of certain features such as terrain and obstacles so that responsive decisions may be reached and decisive action may be taken.

Real-time high-resolution 3-D large-screen display using laser-activated

A wide screen display enables a number of viewers the simultaneous viewing f rapidly updated data in real time at video rates. A beam of coherent radiation from a laser is modulated at video rates in an acousto-optic modulator. The modulated beam is fed to an X-scanner that imparts an acousto-optic displacement of the modulated beam in the X-direction. A Y-scanner is aligned to receive the X-scanned modulated beam and imparts an acousto-optic reciprocal displacement of the beam so that the video modulated beam is displaced in both the X- and Y-directions. A liquid crystal light valve is disposed to receive the X and Y displaced modulated beam so that it scans the surface of the light valve to stimulate the photosensor layers within. This causes the impression of a replica voltage pattern on a bi-refringent liquid crystal in the valve. A high intensity lamp projects a high intensity incoherent light beam onto the liquid crystal light valve via a polarizing biprism. Since the bi-refringent liquid crystal has been modulated by the X- and Y-scanned modulated coherent beam, a corresponding image is reflected from the bi-refringent liquid crystal and onto the screen. The acousto-optic modulation X-scan and Y-scan occur at much higher rates and with greater control than conventional arrangements so that the resolution of two about 2,000 lines at a video rate is possible. The real-time display provides a number of viewers with a more realistic image so that responsive decisions and actions may be taken.

Real-time ultra-high resolution image projection display using

A more clearly defined image is projected onto a distant screen in real-time at video rates to allow for collective analysis of rapidly changing updated data. A laser has its coherent beam modulated in accordance with the images to be viewed. The modulated light beam is scanned across the surface of a liquid crystal light valve to stimulate a photosensor layer that impresses a replica voltage pattern on the bi-refringent liquid crystal. A high intensity projection light beam is reflected from the liquid crystal via a polarizing biprism and, consequently, is modulated by the bi-refringent liquid crystal so that a corresponding image is displayed on the screen. The controllable small spot diameter of the modulated laser beam is capable of greatly improving the resolution as it scans across the liquid crystal light valve. The hybrid field effect nematic liquid crystal layer, plus a direct creation of replica voltages by the impinging modulated coherent light, gives the system an instantaneous, truly real-time capability.

Fibers, particularly optical fibers, are tested for determining their tene strength in expected environments. A pair of sheaves, on journaled and the other fixed receive a looped length of fiber and are placed within a cylindrical shell which is filled with an expected environmental medium, such as seawater. The sheaves are pulled apart subjecting the fiber to tensile loading and a strain gauge provides responsive read-outs so that the fiber's fatigue strength can be determined. The size of the sheaves and adhesively securing the loose ends of the fiber prevents the generation of any spurious pinching torsional stresses. Placing the fiber in the environmental fluid allows a monitoring of the effects of the fluid on the fiber's cladding and core so that the strength limits of the fiber are accurately determined under simulated operational conditions.

Optical fiber test apparatus

A pulsed laser produces emitted laser energy by photodissociation of metal dihalide and cyclic recombination. A metal dihalide selected from sub-group II-B of the periodic table of elements is contained within an elongated sealed enclosure. Ultraviolet photons supplied from another laser employed as an excitation pump causes dissociation of the metal dihalide for achieving the ultimate laser action. An inert buffer gas is included within the enclosure for aiding photon energy transfer uniformity and to provide vibrational relaxation of the lasing medium in its electronic states. Two reflective surfaces, one of which is only partially reflective, are aligned with the principal axis of the laser assembly for producing an optical resonator for the emitted laser energy.

Metal dihalide photodissociation cyclic laser

Compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of NH and O, R is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and phenyl, R' is selected from the group consisting of OCH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.3 and H and R' is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5. The compounds are stable, efficient laser dyes.

Substituted -6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-pyrido- and 2H-pyrano

2-Keto-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-2H-pyrano(3,2-g)-quinoline and 2-keto-9-methyl-,8,9-tetrahydro-2H-pyrano(3,2-g)-quinoline, compounds useful as laser dyes, are prepared from 7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline.

[3,2-g] Pyranoquinoline derivatives

A wide angle narrowband optical filter is provided by an assembly in which a body member supports multiple absorption materials in a common optical path. Each of the multiple absorption materials contributes toward narrowing the spectral bandwidth region permitting transmittance of light energy. A bandpass glass color filter restricts light transmission to a relatively broad spectral range of approximately 250 nanometers and a selected coumarin dye material in solution used with a second solution of a selected rare earth material narrows the spectral range of transmittance. In a preferred embodiment an interference filter further narrows the transmitting bandwidth to approximately 12.5 nanometers at FWHM (measured at Full Width Half Maximum) in the spectral region which is desirably coincident with the wavelengths of light energy best transmitted in ocean waters.

Narrowband wide field of view optical filter

7-Amino coumarin dyes with hydrocarbon substituents on the amino group, but otherwise unsubstituted are stable, efficient dyes which lase in the blue-green region in a flashlamp-pumped dye laser.

7-Amino coumarin dyes for flashlamp-pumped dye lasers

7-Oxo-1,2,3,3,8-pentamethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-1-H-pyrrol 3,2-g] quinoline, a new compound, useful as a blue-green laser dye, is prepared from a substituted indole. It has the expanded formula ##STR1##

Growing community of inventors

La Mesa, CA, United States of America

John A Trias