A Practical Electronic Holographic System for Data Capture, Storage, and Display

Current techniques for video image data storage and display rely on the use of purely electronic systems. These data, however, are in a 2-D format and cannot be used to construct real 3-D images. NASA has stated a need for electronic methods and equipment to capture and store digital 3-D data in a holographic format. This equipment should then be able to reconstruct the hologram and project it as a 3-D image. In response to this need, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop an innovative electronic holographic data capture, storage, and display system. There are two major innovations involved in this system: 1) A real-time fast switching optical sensor medium with an efficient high resolution holographic electronic data transfer panel for both holographic recording and reconstruction, and 2) a time sequential approach with optical interconnect routing to convert high resolution (optical) data to a digital form. The system will consist of a single high resolution CCD camera, a standard personal computer, and a data storage system. The Phase I program will provide a preliminary system design, and a proof-of-concept prototype.