Real Imaging Via a Virtual Reality Lens System

A lens system even if very complicated, when computer simulated (i.e., in a "virtual reality") will function, under appropriate circumstances, as if it were real. This system requires coherent illumination of the target, so a laser or microwave source is needed, but a microchip would do the focusing. The reflected wave from the target is used as input and a picture of the reflecting object is produced. Output would be to anything accepting an electronic signal (broadcast, video monitor, etc.). It will work with any radiation for which a source and detector can be built: microwaves, visible light, sonar, etc. The "virtual" lens systems can be as exotic and perfect as mathematical description will allow. It is always aligned and can have elements overlapping in space or made of materials which do not exist in nature. As long as elements and materials can be described mathematically, they can be used. The detector does no focusing itself and therefore should be resistant to input overload. Other systems now in use (like radar) do not image except at a crude level. Only reflectiveity and size are measured, and then ambiguously. Very large objects, like weather systems, can be displayed, but in detail no smaller than a beama width. The Phase I project will be a computer simulation to establish feasibility. Particular emphasis will be placed on examination of optical element design and system configuartions.