Project

Guided-wave light modulator for holographic video

Copyright

Tyler Schoeppner, request for permission to use

Tyler Schoeppner

The electro-holographic video display (Holovideo) project has spanned over decades, beginning back in 1989, and continues to be a main research topic within the Object-Based Media research group. As new technologies and manufacturing processes have become available, Holovideo has been continuously improved to create a better, more efficient holographic display. In our team’s most recent iteration, we are now utilizing femtosecond laser fabrication to develop flat-panel, transparent holographic video displays suitable for both wearable see-through lenses and monitor sized displays.

As with previous versions of Holovideo, the system uses acoustic waves to modulate laser light in order to create a holographic image. In the past, this required specialized, and sometimes bulky, optical components in order to guide the laser light to the viewer in order to give the 3D image effect. Now, using a combination of femtosecond laser fabrication and surface acoustic waves (SAWs), many of the required optics can be “printed” directly within the lithium niobate substrate. These full-color modulators support hundreds of thousands of pixels per scan line, making them suitable for fixed or wearable holographic displays.

By using femtosecond laser fabrication, we are now able to perform rapid prototyping of optical components, greatly cutting down fabrication time and costs while also allowing full customization of optical components.

Follow the links below to see previous versions of Holovideo.

Copyright

Tyler Schoeppner, request permission to reuse

Copyright

Tyler Schoeppner, request permission to reuse