초록 ▼

Three-dimensional objects are displayed in real time within a solid volume of optically transparent material by utilizing two infrared laser beams of different wavelengths to create visible light inside the display material via a two-photon upconversion process. Objects comprising points, lines, sur

Three-dimensional objects are displayed in real time within a solid volume of optically transparent material by utilizing two infrared laser beams of different wavelengths to create visible light inside the display material via a two-photon upconversion process. Objects comprising points, lines, surfaces, and volumes are drawn by decomposing them into a set of small three-dimensional cells or “voxels”located at specific coordinates inside the display medium. Individual voxels are addressed and activated by intersecting the two invisible infrared laser beams at the appropriate coordinate locations. The display material is tailored to provide efficient upconversion in the region of intersection, with minimal visible light generated outside this region by either one of the infrared beams alone. Typical media are rare-earth-doped glasses or crystals having low phonon energies. The general methods for selecting and producing the display material, along with a plurality of system configurations for addressing the display, are disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A three-dimensional display comprising: a plurality of voxels in an optically transparent medium comprising a host material, wherein said host material is a low phonon optically transparent host material doped with rare earth ions; a plurality of photons of a first wavelength; a plurality of photons

A three-dimensional display comprising: a plurality of voxels in an optically transparent medium comprising a host material, wherein said host material is a low phonon optically transparent host material doped with rare earth ions; a plurality of photons of a first wavelength; a plurality of photons of a second wavelength not equal to the first wavelength; means for intersecting said first and second wavelength photons on a voxel; said voxel absorbing photons of said first wavelength, which excite electrons in said voxel from a ground state to a real intermediate state; said voxel absorbing photons of said second wavelength, which excite electrons in said voxel from said real intermediate state to a higher energy state; wherein said voxel only radiates visible radiation in response to said absorbing of photons of both said first and second wavelengths in a consecutive, two-step, two-photon upconversion process.