Electro or Computational Holography (Holo-Video)
Investigator(s): Dr Andrew Lambert (a-lambert@ee.adfa.edu.au) Phone: 02-62688351
Three dimensional display techniques are abound within the computer industry. Such techniques include the use of stereo glasses relying on colour separation, or synchronisation of polarisers to send different images of a stereo pair to either eye. The use of two displays, one for each eye, is also a viable technology, as is the use of the auto stereogram or ``magic-eye". However, none of the above provide all the depth cues that we normally associate with three dimensional scenes. Only holography provides for all the expected cues, most importantly, parallax. Holography, has been until recently associated with still or motion photographic techniques, and while computers have been used to generate the holographic fringe pattern to photographic film, a chemical process has been involved. This removes the ability for a viewer to interact with the computer generated display. Recently, researchers have overcome this limitation through the use of extensive computer resources and spatial light modulators, to render a large colour hologram at rates suitable for user interaction with the scene. This study is known as ``Holo-video" or computational holography. We have begun a research effort in this area, extrapolating on our SLM expertise, to investigate ways to reduce the cost and computing requirements of the holo-video system. To this aim we employ common and low cost computing equipment; a fast personal computer is used to provide for user interaction with a three-dimensional model or scene that would normally be rendered to a two-dimensional display. We use common rendering software, Quickdraw3D, to produce a holographic fringe pattern to be displayed on a spatial light modulator. The SLM is illuminated by laser light to produce a three-dimensional image with all the depth information expected of holography, with the exception of vertical parallax, which is removed to reduce computation. The fringe computation is divided between the host computer and signal processing hardware associated with the SLM (see above). Because of the complexity of what appears a very simple optical system, there is much room for research in this area. The rendering algorithms require investigation for speed and quality. Improvements in the SLM technology will provide steady improvements in display capability. The same can be said for the improvements in the computational hardware associated with the SLM. All these areas are being actively investigated.
More details related to this topic are available at www.ee.adfa.edu.au/widearea/hologram.html and to see related movie please click here.
Research Activities of the School
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