Location: Zoom: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99217928473
Speakers: Gregg Favalora and Michael Moebius, Draper
Abstract: 3-D display technologies have been explored for more than 100 years, with applications in time-critical decision making, complex spatial scenarios, and even entertainment: from cardiac catheterization, to cockpit displays, to point-of-sale display. Holograms – visualization tools whose operation as displays rely primarily on diffraction phenomena – are hoped to offer the ultimate in image quality, but require optical modulators with capabilities outpacing off-the-shelf components. We will report on progress in a promising approach: using arrays of leaky-mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) modulators, which map the frequency content of input electronic waveforms into the perspective luminances of output light with horizontal angle. The speakers will give an overview of autostereoscopic 3-D display generally, compare spatially-multiplexed techniques (lenticulars, integral photographs) to SAW modulator-based systems, and describe work performed over a 4 year Draper Internal R&D program, MSLF. This includes: edge- and surface-emitting holographic modulators, PCB packaging, RF drive, rendering, and a preview of our first successful demonstration imagery. A portion of the talk will be on integrated optics and microfabrication. The devices have utility for general-purpose light shaping beyond display, either as “linear analog holograms” or mm-aperture emitters.
Gregg Favalora Bio:
