3D plasma shapes created in thin air

3D plasma shapes created in thin air
... 14:31 27 February 2006
... NewScientist.com news service
... David Hambling


Floating adverts could be created using the instrument (Image: AIST)

The device has already been used to generate a swarm of virtual butterflies
(Image: AIST)
The night sky could soon be lit up with gigantic three-dimensional adverts,
thanks to a Japanese laser display that creates glowing images in thin air.

The system is being developed by the National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tokyo, in collaboration with
Burton Inc and Keio University.
"We believe this technology may eventually be used in applications ranging
from pyrotechnics to outdoor advertising," says a spokesman for AIST.
According to Burton Inc, the technology might also be used for emergency
distress signals or even temporary road signs.

The display utilises an ionisation effect which occurs when a beam of laser
light is focused to a point in air. The laser beam itself is invisible to
the human eye but, if the intensity of the laser pulse exceeds a threshold,
the air breaks down into glowing plasma that emits visible light.

The required intensity can only be achieved by very short, powerful laser
pulses - each plasma dot, or "flashpoint", lasts for only about a
nanosecond. But the resulting image appears to last longer due to
persistence of vision. As with film and television, the impression of a
continuous image is maintained by refreshing the flashpoints.

Zap, crackle and pop
The demonstration system uses an infra-red laser that creates a hundred
flashpoints per second. Currently, these can be projected between two and
three metres from the apparatus, in a space of about a cubic metre. Each
flashpoint generates a popping sound, resulting in a constant crackling when
the display is in operation.

Previous systems used galvanometric mirrors to control the focal point of
the beam in two dimensions, to create only 2D images. But the new system
adds a high-speed linear motor moving a lens to also control the focal point
of the laser in a third dimension, allowing solid shapes to be sketched out.

The researchers behind the demonstration system plan to upgrade it to a
higher pulsing rate, which should produce more dots and so smoother images.
Future versions should also include moving pictures and AIST claims it
should be possible to scale the system up to produce displays of any size.
However, only white flashpoints can be created so a colour display will not
be possible.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/mech-tech/dn8778.html





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