Camera and method for holographic interferometry using an erasable photosensitive photopolymer film
OwnerColleen M. Fitzpatrickinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A camera apparatus and method of use employing a photosensitive photopolymer film as a recording medium for generating an interferogram through the use of a write laser beam and a read laser beam. The interferogram is sensed by a video camera and converted into a digital signal for mass storage or real time display on a video monitor. Because the thin film used is of high resolution and is able to handle a sequence of intefferograms at various video signal processing rates, the camera is able to be employed in real time as a motion picture camera for observing real processes and objects undergoing stress.
Claims20
A holographic camera comprising:
- a camera body providing a wall having an exposure aperture for accepting incident light, into an operating space enclosed by the body;
- a light sensitive, high-speed, self-erasing element in fixed operant relationship with the light incident on the aperture which receives and is affected by said incident light;
- the light sensitive element forming multiple-sequential holographic images at a rate of at least one image per hour;
- means for directing a read light beam onto the light sensitive element to produce a diffracted read light beam within the operating space,
- image sensing means oriented within the operating space for receiving the diffracted read light beam produced by the read light beam, incident on the light sensitive element, for recording the diffracted light beam intensity pattern, the image sensing means, producing a time dependent electrical analog signal of the diffracted read light beam intensity pattern.
A method for generating a dynamic display of time dependent physical changes in a subject, the method comprising the steps:
- a) providing a camera body including an exposure aperture providing light beam access to an operating space enclosed by the body, and a light sensitive, self-erasing element in fixed operant relationship with the aperture, and a high resolution, planar, image sensing means including an image forming means and an image-to-electrical signal transforming means, positioned within the operating space;
- b) projecting coherent write light beams onto a bacteriorhodpsin film plate to form a holographic diffraction grating on the film plate;
- c) projecting a read light beam onto the film plate in superposition with the diffraction grating to form a diffracted holographic image;
- d) sensing the diffracted read beam at the image sensing means;
- e) producing a time dependent electrical analog of the diffracted beam.
A high resolution real time camera for producing a record from a plurality of incident light beams, the camera including,
- a camera body for accepting incident light into an operating space enclosed by the body,
- a photosensitive photopolymer film in a fixed operative relationship to the camera body,
- first means for directing a plurality of incident light beams onto the film to produce in the film a diffraction grating,
- second means for generating a read beam and directing the read beam through the diffraction grating of the film and into the operating space to produce a diffracted light beam within the operating space, and
- third means within the operating space to record the diffracted light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.