A Three-Color, Solid-State, Three-Dimensional Display

TLDR

The paper presents a three‑color solid‑state volumetric display using two‑step, two‑frequency upconversion in rare‑earth‑doped heavy metal fluoride glass. The display operates by intersecting infrared laser beams inside a transparent glass, sequentially absorbing two‑step resonant photons to address red, green, and blue voxels, while scanning the intersection point with laser diodes, conventional optics, and mechanical scanners to render 3‑D images visible in ambient light. A QuickTime movie of the display is provided.

Abstract

A three-color, solid-state, volumetric display based on two-step, two-frequency upconversion in rare earth-doped heavy metal fluoride glass is described. The device uses infrared laser beams that intersect inside a transparent volume of active optical material to address red, green, and blue voxels by sequential two-step resonant absorption. Three-dimensional wire-frame images, surface areas, and solids are drawn by scanning the point of intersection of the lasers around inside of the material. The prototype device is driven with laser diodes, uses conventional focusing optics and mechanical scanners, and is bright enough to be seen in ambient room lighting conditions. QuickTime movie of the three-dimensional display.