A Versatile, Inexpensive Generator of Periodic Visual Stimuli.

Abstract

The report describes a light modulator which consists of two parts: (1) an aperture and rotating disc of varying radius and (2) an optical integrating bar with opal diffusers at each end. With the aperture (typically a slit) uniformly illuminated, the amount of light transmitted is determined by the area of the aperture which is unoccluded by the rotating opaque disc. The radius of the disc varies as the desired modulating function of time or angular position. Light from the aperture then passes through the optical integrating bar with its two opal diffusers. Together, these elements convert the fluctuations in size and location of the incident beam into periodic variations in luminous intensity over the whole area of the output opal diffusing surface. This report also describes the implementation of several waveforms, including sinusoidal modulation of intensity and brightness, square, triangular, 'cogwheel,' and spike waves, as well as a form of dynamic color mixing. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 17, 1972
Accession Number
AD0754562

Entities

People

  • Isaac Behar
  • James N. Cronholm

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brightness
  • Diffusers
  • Energy Systems
  • Generators
  • Intensity
  • Modulation
  • Modulators
  • Optical Modulators
  • Periodic Variations
  • Waveforms

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.