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US 4,905,202 AGranted
Detection panel and method for acoustic holography
AssigneeRichard L. Scully
InventorJean J. A. Robillard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A detection panel for acoustic holography with real time image reconstruction includes, a flat cell containing a mixture of nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals whose composition provides a refractive index which varies as a function of acoustic pressure. The cell has at least one acoustic window and at least one optical window.
Claims10
A system for acoustic holography comprising:
- means for projecting an acoustic wave onto an object;
- a detection panel for receiving the acoustic wave after reflection from the object, said detection panel being in the form of a flat cell containing a liquid crystal layer including a mixture of nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals whose composition provides a refractive index which varies as a function of acoustic pressure;
- at least one optical window and at least one acoustical window provided in connection with the flat cell of said detection panel, the flat cell being oriented to receive the reflected acoustic wave through the acoustic window so that the refractive index is varied over the liquid crystal layer in response to the phase and amplitude of the reflected acoustic wave;
- means for directing coherent light at the optical window of said detection panel, the light reflected from the liquid crystal layer being modulated in phase and amplitude by the refractive index variations of the liquid crystal layer;
- and
- means for producing a visible image from the modulated light reflected from the liquid crystal layer.
3 more elements
A method for acoustic holography, comprising the steps of:
- (a) projecting an acoustic wave onto an object;
- (b) receiving the acoustic wave onto a detection panel after reflection from the object, the detection panel being in the form of a flat cell containing a liquid crystal layer comprising a mixture of nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals whose composition provides a refractive index which varies as a function of acoustic pressure, the cell having at least one optical window and at least one acoustic window and the reflected acoustic wave being received through the window so that a refractive index is varied over the liquid crystal layer in response to the phase and amplitude of the reflected acoustic wave;
- (c) directing coherent light at the optical window of the detection panel;
- (d) modulating the light being reflected from the liquid crystal layer in phase and amplitude according to the refractive index variations of the liquid crystal layer;
- and
- (e) producing a visible image from the modulated light reflected from the liquid crystal layer.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.