New high-resolution display device for holographic three-dimensional video: principles and simulations

A new acousto-optical holographic display device, which is expected to solve the display resolution and refresh problems that are common to available holographic displays, is proposed. The device is based on the reproduction of a hologram as a surface pattern using traveling surface acoustic waves (SAWs). There is an array of electrodes attached to the SAW device. An electrical signal applied to any one of these electrodes generates an acoustical wave propagating on the surface of the crystal. If signals are applied to all of the electrodes simultaneously, propagating waves from the electrodes superpose to form a time-varying SAW pattern on the crystal. This pattern forms the hologram at a specific time. The signals that should be applied to the electrodes are found through a mathematical inversion relation that is derived from the underlying physics. The inversion relation is checked by computer simulations. Simulations also show that the image quality of the proposed 3-D TV display is satisfactory.