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 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A three-dimensional display, comprising:a plurality of voxels in an optically transparent medium, the optically transparent medium including a host material wherein the host material includes a low phonon optically transparent material doped with a first dopant and a second dopant;v

[ I claim:] [1.] A three-dimensional display, comprising:a plurality of voxels in an optically transparent medium, the optically transparent medium including a host material wherein the host material includes a low phonon optically transparent material doped with a first dopant and a second dopant;voxels in the plurality of voxels emit visible radiation in response to absorption of photons of a first pump wavelength and photons of a second pump wavelength wherein photons of the first pump wavelength excite electrons in the first dopant from a ground state to a first intermediate state, and photons of the second pump wavelength excite electrons in the second dopant from a second intermediate state to a higher energy state, wherein energy is transferred from the first intermediate state of the first dopant to the second intermediate state of the second dopant.