Open Competition 3 - Electronics and Photonics

Rapid Full-Color Digital Hologram Recorder

Sponsor: Zebra Imaging, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 5/1/2004 - 7/31/2006
• Total project (est.): $3,174,384.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,947,475.00

Three-dimensional (3D) design and visualization is increasingly important in U.S. automotive and other industries, but such images are usually presented in laboriously sculpted physical models or two-dimensional projections that lack depth. A practical 3D medium is needed. A promising possibility is digital holography, in which computer-synthesized or digitized data are recorded on photosensitive thin films and then illuminated. However, new lasers and processes are needed to enable rapid recording of full-color holograms. Zebra Imaging plans a two-year project to develop and test a novel system, including new pulsed lasers, for recording full-color digital holograms, with output up to 60 times faster than existing systems. Today's technology uses continuous wave lasers, which are highly sensitive to vibration. Zebra plans to develop pulsed laser systems, which simultaneously emit short bursts of red, green, and blue light that reduce the impact of vibration. Technical challenges include the design of lasers that are stable and consistent in producing all three colors in terms of wavelength, pulse width, energy per pulse, and other parameters. The lasers will be integrated with novel recording materials in a system that achieves adequate color performance and speed. Various materials and processing methods will be tested. Two different pulsed laser systems will be designed with the assistance of subcontractors. ATP support is needed because the research entails too much risk and is too ambitious for private or other government funding sources. If successfully developed, the desktop holography technology could reduce product design cycle times from 11 days to 4 hours for a 1-by-3 meter hologram. The resulting ability to make 3D images of entire cars, for example, would reduce design time and costs, offering savings that could exceed tens of millions of dollars annually per company. In addition, the new technology could have applications in homeland security; seismic mapping and petroleum exploration; and surgical, military, and urban planning.

For project information:

Robin Curle, (512) 251-5100
rcurle@zebraimaging.com

ATP Project Manager

Thomas Lettieri, (301) 975-3496
thomas.lettieri@nist.gov