Acousto-optic snapshot recorder

• US 4,107,701 A
• Filed: 09/16/1976
• Issued: 08/15/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITEQ Corporation
• Original Assignee: ITEQ Corporation
• Inventors: MacGovern, Alan J., Sprague, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartary, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/723,878
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 346/108, 346/76 L, 354/5, 358/201
• US Class Current: 347/260
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 15/14 Optical recording elements; Recording elements using X-or nuclear radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/28 with deflection of beams of light, e.g. for direct optical indication G01D5/40 takes precedence; mechanical adjustment G01D5/264
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/40 using modulation of a light beam otherwise than by mechanical displacement, e.g. by Kerr effect visual indication of correct tuning H03J3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/128 Modulators G11B7/1245 takes precedence

Abstract

Apparatus for recording a serial line of electrical data as a spatial array of optical data. The apparatus employs an acousto-optic device through which the electrical signal to be recorded is passed as a continuous acoustic wave. The device is illuminated by a laser and imaged onto a recording medium to form an image of the acoustic wave passing through the device. By pulsing the laser just as the acoustic wave fills the device, a line of optical data can be recorded which will correspond to the acoustic wave in the device. By indexing the recording medium and reimaging every time a new acoustic wave just fills the device, an entire raster may be recorded.

Claims

1. Acousto-optic recording apparatus for reading out a serial electrical signal as spatial optical data comprising:

A. acousto-optic means;

B. means for passing a continuous travelling acoustic wave through said acousto-optic means, said acoustic wave being proportional to said serial electrical signal;

C. a recording medium;

D. imaging means for imaging said acoustic wave on said recording medium, said imaging means including;

a. light source means for illuminating said acousto-optic means;

b. optical means for imaging the light from said acousto-optic means onto said recording medium; and

,

c. means for "stopping" the motion of said travelling acoustic wave passing through said acousto-optic means for recording a stationary line of optical data on said recording medium proportional to the acoustic wave within said acousto-optic means; and

,

E. means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium, including;

a. a plurality of optical deflector means in the path of the light from said acousto-optic means to direct images to different locations on said recording medium; and

b. an acousto-optic deflector for directing light from said acousto-optic means to consecutive ones of said plurality of optical deflector means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of optical deflector means comprises a plurality of mirrors.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for "stopping" the motion of said travelling acoustic wave comprises a second acousto-optic deflector in the path of the light from said acousto-optic means for compensating for the motion of said acoustic wave passing through said acousto-optic means such that the output of said second deflector will be a stationary image for imaging on said recording medium.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a laser.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said laser comprises a cavity-dumped, mode-locked argon laser.