A Television Display Using Acoustic Deflection and Modulation of Coherent Light

Abstract

Bragg reflection of laser light by ultrasonic waves in water produces the horizontal deflection in a television display. The ultrasonic waves are frequency-modulated with a sawtooth function. Deflection angles are small but there are 200 resolvable positions; the constant rate of angular change which characterizes a television scan permits the use of a wide optical aperture, leading to a small spot size. Conventional optical magnification follows the horizontal deflection, rendering a 3 MHz video signal visible on the screen.