Three-Dimensional Volumetric Display

The objective of this effort is to demonstrate a novel method of generating a volumetric three-dimensional display. This method uses intersecting lasers in a gaseous medium to cause fluorescence from desired points. By scanning a series of intersection points in either a rastor or vector scan in a timeless than the eye's 15 Hz refresh rate, a true three-dimensional image can be generated. The idea has recently become much more practical with the advent of visible diode lasers. The concept will be demonstrated using rubidium vapor and diode lasers at 780 nm (writing an invisible excited line or plane) and 630 nm (causing red fluorescence at the intersection point with the 780 nm laser). The method can be extended to other colors such as yellow, green, and blue as appropriate diode laser sources become available. Mechanical scanners will be used for the Phase I demonstration. A scaled up device would be likely to use acousto-optic scanners to achieve large numbers of voxels (3-D pixels). In addition to being able to write fluorescent images into the display, there is the potential for writing absorbing opaque regions, through which hidden objects cannot be seen. Anticipated benefits include better displays of three-dimensional medical information, battlefield and missile information, and air traffic control data. Commercial applications include movie special effects, advertising displays, and eventually three-dimensional television for the home.