Japanese Device Uses Laser Plasma to Display 3D Images in the Air

[Auggie2k]

Lostcoders.net - A collaboration of the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Keio University and Burton Inc. has produced a device to display “real 3D images” consisting of dot arrays in empty space. Many previous displays in 3D have been virtual images on 2D planes which, due to human binocular disparity, appear as 3D. However, the limitation of our visual field and the physical discomfort caused by wrongly identifying virtual images makes these displays less than perfect.

A 3D-object displayed using a 3D-image spatial drawing device.

The new device uses the plasma emission phenomenon near the focal point of focused laser light. By controlling the position of the focal point in the direction of the x-, y-, and z-axes, real 3D-images in air (3D-space) can be displayed.

Our living space and the objects within it are three-dimensional but while 3D imaging is well documented on the Internet, we don’t see “real 3D-images” on our computer screens. This is because our monitors are unable to display them.

Keio University and Burton Inc. noticed that, when laser beams are strongly focused, air plasma emission can only be induced near the focal point. So, they experimented by fabricating a device to display 2D-images in the air. The images are constructed from dot arrays produced by a technique combining a laser light source and galvanometric mirrors. To form 3D-images in the air, the scanning of the focal point in the depth direction along the laser optical axis is essential. However, to do this, the quality of the laser and the technique for varying the position of the focal point must be improved. This explains why we do not yet have the technology to display 3D images.

Overview of the 3D-image spatial drawing device.

By modifying the 2D image device with a linear motor system and a high-quality and high-brightness infrared pulse, the AIST, Keio University and Burton Inc. created a spatial display of “real 3D images” consisting of dot arrays.

The linear motor system can vary the position of the laser focal point by high-speed scanning of a lens set on the motor orbit. Incorporation of this system makes the image scanning in the direction of the z-axis possible. For scanning in the x and y axis directions, conventional galvanometric mirrors are used.

The high-quality and high–brightness infrared pulsed laser (repetition frequency of pulse: approximately 100 Hz), enables plasma production to be more precisely controlled, resulting in brighter and higher contrast image drawing. Furthermore, the distance between the device and drawing points can be extended by several meters.

The emission time of the laser pulse light is approximately a nanosecond (10^-9 sec). The device uses one pulse for each dot. The human eye will recognize the after-image effect of plasma emission from displays up to 100 dot/sec. By synchronizing these pulses and controlling them with software, the device can draw any 3D objects in air.

Various 2D and 3D objects drawn by the display device.

[mfgbypooter]

cool. it's the birth of the holodeck.

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[Krell]

cool. it's the birth of the holodeck.

*

No it's not, LASERS will put our your eyes


Great post, and very befitting the S&T forum!




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[Share Poo]

That is some very cool shit.

[Signa]

this is more of the birth of the displays you see in the hospital in firefly

[CrashPeer44]

whoa it is the kind of stuff you see in games like Half Life

[mountain_rage]

I was wondering about 3d image projection today. I was thinking of methods that could possibly work. Then it dawned on me that we can make atoms put off light with quantum leaping. Im not sure how much light this puts off but it would be interesting if we could get oxygen atoms to put off light.

[brock01]

that is very cool, awesome :P

[black_magiic]

I'd hit it...... :o)

[Nogoodpunk42]

the big question is how much?

[shawners]

Puts a new meaning to virtual girlfriend or virtual sex.

[Krell]

The only advantage I see is an OFF button, what are you gonna do, fuck a mirage?


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[mountain_rage]

The only advantage I see is an OFF button, what are you gonna do, fuck a mirage?


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3d image of jessica alba, not even you could turn that down krell

[Krell]

3d image of jessica alba, not even you could turn that down krell

Nice mantle piece, but im not gonna dry hump a clusterfuck of photons





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[Mels_Smileys45]

Next christmas my display is gonna be boomin'!