(Page 2 of 2)
For a hologram consisting of a single color, only one diffraction pattern is calculated, Bove says, but to create a full-color image, three different patterns need to be created, one for each of the additive primary colors: red, blue, and green. The computation consists of rendering a three-dimensional model, generating the diffraction patterns, and producing a video signal, all of which can be done using off-the-shelf hardware.
Then, Bove says, the holographic video signal is sent into a light modulator, which consists of a waveguide--made of a material called lithium niobate--where light travels, covered by a piezoelectric material that converts the video signal into vibrations. The video signal changes the shape of the piezoelectric material, which changes the properties of the light moving through the waveguide. The emitted light wave is thus composed of various intensities and frequencies that, when projected onto a foggy piece of glass, recreate a three-dimensional scene. Because this novel modulator can emit light in the vertical direction as well as in the horizontal direction, it can also help eliminate some mirrors and lenses that made previous generations of displays bulky.
While the project is in its final stages of completion, it has the potential to help make holographic video more accessible. "I'm entranced by the possibilities that [the researchers] show," says Harold Garner, professor of biochemistry and internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Garner has developed a holographic system for looking specifically at medical images such as MRIs. "I really look forward to a real device demonstration."
While his expertise is in holographic images for medicine, Garner believes that people will start to demand more than just high-definition displays from their televisions and computer monitors, and will eventually want three-dimensional videos as well. "It's only a matter of time," he says. But what makes it challenging, Garner adds, is that consumers demand bigger and brighter images, and researchers are a long way from delivering 60-inch, high-definition holograms. Because of consumer tastes, "you may have to pick and choose" the commercial applications for this technology, Garner says.
Bove and his team currently have a fourth generation of system lined up, which will be able to display an image as large as a desktop PC monitor; in contrast, the current system's displays are only about the size of a Rubik's Cube. Also, the current display is only capable of monochromatic holograms, but the fourth generation will have a full range of colors, Bove says.
A full-color holographic display system refreshes every two seconds, fast enough to send live 3-D images.
A new material allows researchers to write and erase 3-D images for displays.
Was just wondering if the size of the hologram is restricted by the size of the foggy dish? Would be cool to have this in your house and get a fog machine to fill your livingroom.
Guest (Henryfarmer)
I just read a book (Lucian’s Place by Bell Smith) where one of the main characters was a computer with a knock out beautiful body, natural look, hologram as her personification. I can see that happening one day. This computer falls in love with a real human, but alas she is just a self aware computer.
I beleive there is a much better, much simpler, and much cheaper way to provide 3D.
MIT EE.
"The tyranny of two-dimensional computer and TV displays could soon be over." Well, I'm sure the same thing was said for the Mark I and II. I'm like the next tech guy; as soon as a protoype hits the news, I think it is going to revolutionize the world. Half the time this stuff gets caught up in paperwork and funding issues. And if the display is only analog at best, viewing MRIs and such will not be possible as the screens they currently use are extremely high resolution.
For future articles MIT Tech Review, please RESIST opening the story with saying a current technologies days are numbered. There are plenty of articles in your archives that open with this line and the products never turn over.
Yes, we will have holographic monitors some day, but not that soon.
If you are medical doctor, you're probably used to using microscopes and having things on your face.. Why couldn't you just use a flat panel LCD screen with timed LCD shutter glasses?
Difference between 3D and holographic displays
Please note that there is a difference between 3D display and holographic displays. As you move your head around a 3D display the image does not re-adjust to your new position so you can not view what is behind it with out telling the computer to move your point of view. Where as, in a holographic display as you move your head around the display the object in the display seems to move allowing you an extra degree of freedom over the cheaper 3D displays.
Volumetric displays like that of Actuality-Systems have comparable viewing characteristic as holographic display but are larger than the one mentioned in this article, and in some cases lower resolution. 3D displays have advanced rapidly over the years, and are broken up into two categories, ones that require goggles or glasses and those that are goggle-less. The goggle-less displays like Sharp’s 3D monitor are on the market and coming down in price. Goggle 3D display are relatively common and are simple as a pair of goggles with a flickering LCD shutter which alternates in sync with a CRT or LCD screen to create a 3D illusionary effect.
Until now it seems that holographic display were far from being ready for market, but this breakthrough brings us with in a reasonable distance. I am interest to see which company buys this technology for their future displays, Sharp, Sony, or someone else?
Thank you
Brian Glassman
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Commercialization
Innovation Management
Re: Difference between 3D and holographic displays
I'm interested in knowing more about your company. I have developed a deep view 3D display that uses lenticular lenses and a light guide to produce stunning imagery in fine detail - it's left field, patented in the UK and patent pending in the US. Might this be of interest to you?
I was wondering how fast the vibrations actually are because there was another company using a series of mirrors to get this same effect but visually it turned out real grainy. I think it was because the motors could not keep up with such a 3D visual image.
Manufacturing in the United States is in trouble. That's bad news not just for the country's economy but for the future of innovation.
This document is part of the “How-To Guide for Most Common Measurements” centralized resource portal. This tutorial provides a detailed guide for measurement and device considerations to take temperature measurements using thermocouples. Get an introduction to thermocouples, which are inexpensive sensing devices widely used with PC-based data acquisition systems. Also review some specific thermocouple examples and learn how thermocouples work and ways to integrate them into a data acquisition measurement system.
View full PDF >
Listen to story > 
Our list of the 50 most innovative companies, including the following:
On Twitter
Become a Fan on Facebook
Subscribe to the Feed
brunascle
65 Comments
wow
as a PC gamer, i would love to see this in action.
what's great it that it would probably already work with any software designed in DirectX/OpenGL, since the software is just sending the data about the 3d models to the hardware (via the drivers for the graphics library). as long as the hologram hardware implemented DirectX/OpenGL drivers, i imagine it would just be plug & play.
Reply
zippo
24 Comments
Re: wow
Yeah, I don't see any need for them to reinvent the wheel. They will save money and be gaurunteed excellent support if they stick with DirectX/OpenGL.
Reply