Scanning LED Array Based Volumetric Display

This paper reports a novel volumetric display system using 1D LED arrays mounted on rotating platforms to create a quasi-holographic display. The system employs a 2D array of such modules and a special diffuser screen in front of them. A virtual 3D image pixel (voxel) appears behind the screen at the intersection of 2 rays emitted from 2 LEDs at different rotation angles. The basic concept is reported for the first time here. A subsystem demonstrator is developed using a single LED mounted on a polymer scanner platform rotating at 60 Hz, which corresponds to the refresh rate of the display system. Large rotation angle and high modulation speeds are achievable with LEDs mounted on polymer scanners. An array of LEDs can be driven by a LED driving IC, integrated with the polymer scanner.