Method and apparatus for enhancing image resolution by means of a multiplicity of phase objects and an optional external radiant flux

Apparatus for enhancing resolution of an image displayed on an image display device and viewed by a viewer comprising:

• a plurality of phase affecting objects disposed in a light path travelled by light from the image from the display device, the image being externally produced and independent of said phase affecting objects, each phase affecting object retarding the phase of light from the image, each phase affecting object having a thickness and being spaced a distance apart from others of said objects;
• and
• a source of radiant energy separate from radiant energy of the image and not supplied by ambient light from the viewer's environment, for irradiating said phase affecting objects and for creating standing waves in said phase affecting objects that interfere with light energy from said image.

Apparatus for enhancing resolution of an image to be stored on a storage device and to be viewed by a viewer comprising:

• a plurality of phase affecting objects disposed in a light path travelled by light comprising the image to be stored on the storage device, the image being externally produced and independent of said light transmitting objects, each phase affecting object retarding the phase of light comprising the image, each phase affecting object having a thickness and being spaced a distance apart from others of said objects;
• and
• a source of radiant energy separate from radiant energy of the image and not supplied by ambient light from the viewer's environment, for irradiating said phase affecting object and for creating standing waves in said phase affecting objects that interfere with light energy comprising the image to be stored.

Apparatus for enhancing resolution of an image viewed by a viewer comprising:

• at least one phase affecting light transmitting object disposed in a light path of light energy defining the image, the image being externally produced and independent of said light-transmitting object, the object having a thickness, and further comprising a source of radiant energy separate from radiant energy of the image and not supplied by ambient light from the viewer's environment, for irradiating said object, thereby creating standing waves in said object which interfere with the light energy in the light path.

Apparatus for enhancing resolution of an image viewed by a viewer comprising:

• a plurality of phase affecting light transmitting objects disposed in a stack in a light path of light energy defining the image, the light energy having a frequency range, the image being externally produced and independent of said light-transmitting objects, each object having a thickness and being spaced a distance apart from others of said objects, each object being non-frequency selective in the frequency range of the light energy, and further comprising a source of radiant energy separate from radiant energy of the image and not supplied by ambient light from the viewer's environment, for irradiating said objects, thereby creating standing waves in said objects which interfere with the light energy in the light path.

Apparatus for enhancing resolution of an image viewed by a viewer and generated by an image generating surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of phase affecting light transmitting objects disposed in a stack in a light path of light energy defining the image, the light energy having a frequency range, the image being externally produced and independent of said light-transmitting objects, there being no fixed relationship between any feature of the image on the image generating surface and a point on any of the objects, each object having a thickness and being spaced a distance apart from others of said objects, each object being non-frequency selective in the frequency range of the light energy, and further comprising a source of radiant energy separate from radiant energy of the image and not supplied by ambient light from the viewer's environment, for irradiating said objects, thereby creating standing waves in said objects which interfere with the light energy in the light path.