Signal controlled system color modulates a beam of light while also providing high intensity and a stationary beam, either collimated or focused. The color modulation acquired by the presented system can be compatible with any color film by employing color filters formed to provide a color wedge having a color distribution compatible with the films color sensitivity

Gantz, W. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Light Source , 
Focus 
Rocking Mirror 
Moved Magnetic 
Otherwise
Stationary 
W
31 
December 1966	 Brief 66-10476 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Device To Color Modulate a Stationary Light Beam Gives High Intensity 
The problem: 
To color modulate a beam of light while also pro-
viding high intensity and a stationary beam, either 
collimated or focused. It is desirable in systems where 
color modulation of light is employed to transmit 
signal information to provide a stationary color mod-
ulated output beam in order that the signal informa-
tion may be utilized without compensating for out-
put beam movement. One method of providing such a 
stationary output beam employs slitted apertures 
which compensate for the dispersion of light inherent 
in prismatic or grating light refraction. However, the 
small slitted apertures required in such systems limit 
the intensity of the output beam of light too greatly 
for many applications.
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000474 2020-03-11T17:36:53+00:00Z
The solution: 
An improved signal controlled system for the color 
modulation of a beam of light in which the color 
shift for given signal variations is predetermined 
and may be varied as desired. A beam of light is 
directed through litters of the desired color according 
to the position of an oscillating mirror from which 
the beam is reflected. 
How it's done; 
A beam from a concentrated white-light source is 
focused onto a mirror that can be oscillated at any 
desired modulation frequency. The light reflects from 
this mirror to a set of colored filters so arranged that 
as the beam oscillates, it passes through the different 
colors according to a predetermined modulation pat-
tern. A concave mirror behind the filters returns the 
light to the oscillating mirror, back to a beam divider 
and then to the output point.
Notes: 
I. The feasibility of recording a beam of light which 
has been color modulated by prismatic or grating 
type refraction in conventional three color film is 
complicated by the color response of the film 
being incompatible with the color blending and 
the color dispersion inherent in prismatic color 
modulation. The color modulation acquired by the 
presented system can be compatible with any color 
film by employing color filters formed to provide 
a color wedge having a color distribution compati-
ble with the film's color sensitivity. 
2. This color modulator system may also be applica-
ble for color separation work in the graphic arts. 
Patent status: 
Title to this invention has been waived under the 
provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Act (42 U.S.C. 2457 (f)) to the Regents of the Univers-
ity of California, 2200 University Avenue, Berkeley, 
California 94720.
Source: William A. Gantz

of University of California

under contract to NASA

(Hq-44)
. 
. 
Brief 66-10476	 Category 01


Device to color modulate a stationary light beam gives high intensity

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