US3594060A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-speed holographic camera
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1969-09-02
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-09-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides apparatus for producing successive three-dimensional images of high-speed events, e.g. stages of an explosion. A pulsed beam of laser light is divided into a reference and an object beam. The reference beam is reflected by a high-speed rotating mirror to a succession of fixed mirrors from which it is reflected on to a fixed photograph plate. The object beam, after reflection from or transmission through the high-speed event, is also reflected on to the plate. The pulsed laser beam is synchronized with the position of the rotating mirror by means of a continuous light beam which is reflected from the rotating mirror to a photodetector associated with each of the fixed mirrors, the laser being triggered by outputs from the successive photodetectors. The result is a number of multiplexed holograms of the event on the plate. Threedimensional images of its successive stages can be viewed by substituting a continuous laser for the pulsed laser and viewing the developed plate while rotating the mirror slowly.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Anthony Lowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
High-speed hologram forming apparatus comprising a light source for producing a pulsed beam of coherent light, means for dividing said beam into a reference and an object beam, mirror means moveable about an axis for reflecting said reference beam successively on to a plurality of spaced fixed mirrors, means for locating a photosensitive surface at a position to receive said reference beam as said reference beam is successively reflected from said fixed mirrors, means for directing said object beam on to said surface after modulation by an object, and means for synchronizing the occurrence of said light pulses with the position of the moveable mirror means so that successive light pulses produce reference beams which are reflected from successive fixed mirrors on to the photosensitive surface, said synchronizing means comprising a second light source for producing a continuous light beam directed on to the mirror means, a light-sensitive detector associated with each fixed mirror, and means operable by successive output signal from said detectors as said continuous beam is reflected on the successive detectors by said moveable mirror means for causing said pulsed light source to produce a pulse of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
High-speed hologram forming apparatus comprising a light source for producing a pulsed beam of coherent light, means for dividing said beam into a reference and an object beam, mirror means moveable about an axis for reflecting said reference beam successively on to a plurality of spaced fixed mirrors, means for locating a photosensitive surface at a position to receive said reference beam as said reference beam is successively reflected from said fixed mirrors, means for directing said object beam on to said surface after modulation by an object, and means for synchronizing the occurrence of said light pulses with the position of the moveable mirror means so that successive light pulses produce reference beams which are reflected from successive fixed mirrors on to the photosensitive surface, said synchronizing means comprising a second light source for producing a continuous light beam directed on to the mirror means, a light-sensitive detector associated with each fixed mirror, and means operable by successive output signal from said detectors as said continuous beam is reflected on the successive detectors by said moveable mirror means for causing said pulsed light source to produce a pulse of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixed mirrors are arranged to produce substantial coincidence of said beams at said photosensitive surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the path lengths of the reference beam from the source to said photosensitive surface via each fixed mirror are made approximately equal to one another and to the path length of the object beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angular displacements between successive beams reflected from the fixed mirrors on to the photosensitive surface are made equal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pulsed light source is a laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the laser is a Q-switched, solid-state laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a light source for producing a continuous beam of coherent light, and means for substituting said continuous beam for said pulsed beam before division into reference and object beams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fixed mirrors are located on an arc having the axis of the moveable mirror at its center.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said detector is located substantially in a common radial plane with its associated fixed mirror and the axis of the moveable mirror means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |