Electronically generated holography

Apparatus for converting a holographic light interference pattern to electrical signals, comprising:

• first and second supports spaced a predetermined distance apart, said first support having a transparent surface positionable to receive said interference pattern;
• a first array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a first predetermined orientation by said first support;
• a second array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a second predetermined orientation by said second support to define with said first array of electrodes a matrix of spaced electrode crossing locations;
• a normally opaque medium, light transmissive in the presence of an applied electrical field, positioned intermediate said first and second supports;
• control means electrically coupled with said first and second electrode arrays for sampling said matrix of locations by generating an electrical field of predetermined value between sequentially selected pairs of electrodes within said first and second arrays thereof;
• and
• light responsive detecting means oepratively associated with said second support for deriving an electrical output signal corresponding with the light intensity of said interference pattern at a said sampled matrix location.

Apparatus for generating a hologram in response to a holographic data derived as a sequence of electrical synchronizing and data signals, said data signals corresponding with the intensities of a light interference pattern generated by a source of coherent light of predetermined wavelength characteristic sampled in the scan of a matrix of uniform discrete apertures adjacent said pattern, comprising:

• first and second planar transparent supports spaced a predetermined distance apart, a surface of said first support being positionable for receiving light from a coherent source of said predetermined wavelength characteristic;
• a first array of parallel, transparent, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a first predetermined orientation by said first transparent support;
• a second array of parallel, transparent, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a second predetermined orientation by said second transparent support to define with said first array of electrodes a matrix of spaced electrode crossing locations geometrically corresponding with said matrix of uniform discrete apertures;
• a normally opaque medium, light transmissive in the presence of an applied electrical field, positioned intermediate said first and second transparent supports;
• and
• control means electrically coupled with said first and second electrode arrays, responsive to said synchronizing and data signals for generating an electrical field of value corresponding with said data signals between electrodes of said first and second arrays at said crossing locations in a sequence regulated by said synchronizing signals.

A system for constructing, transmitting and reconstructing holographs of an object comprising:

• means for providing a coherent source of light of predetermined wavelength characteristic;
• means for illuminating said object with said coherent source of light;
• means for providing a reference beam from said coherent source of light;
• first and second substantially planar supports spaced a predetermined distance apart, said first support having a transparent receiving surface for receiving light reflecting from said illuminated object and, simultaneously, from said reference beam to form an interference pattern;
• a first array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a first predetermined orientation by said first support;
• a second array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a second predetermined orientation by said second support to define with said first array of electrodes a first matrix of spaced electrode crossing locations;
• a first normally opaque medium, light transmissive in the presence of an applied electric field, positioned intermediate said first and second supports;
• first control means electrically coupled with said first and second electrode arrays for sequentially sampling said matrix of locations by generating an electrical field of predetermined value between sequentially selected pairs of electrodes of said first and second arrays and for providing a scanning synchronization signal;
• light responsive detecting means operatively associated with said second support for deriving an electrical data signal corresponding with the light intensity of said interference pattern at a said sampled matrix location;
• means for conveying said scanning synchronization signals and said data signals;
• third and fourth transparent supports spaced a predetermined distance apart, said third surface being positionable for receiving light from a coherent source of said predetermined wavelength characteristic;
• a third array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes supported in a third predetermined orientation by said third support;
• a fourth array of parallel, electrically conductive electrodes suported in a fourth predetermined orientation by said fourth transparent support to define with said third array of electrodes a second matrix of spaced electrode crossing locations geometrically corresponding with said first matrix;
• a second normally opaque medium, light transmissive in the presence of an applied electrical field, positioned intermediate said third and fourth transparent supports;
• and
• second control means electrically coupled with said third and fourth electrode arrays, responsive to said conveyed scanning synchronization signals and said data signals for generating an electrical field of value corresponding with said data signals between electrodes of said third and fourth arrays at said crossing location in a sequence regulated by said synchronizing signals.