Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for producing holograms by creating arrangement of laser-induced damages inside transparent materials. A method for transformation of an interference pattern into arrangement of points so that laser-induced damages created at these points are able to reconstruct high quality holographic images is disclosed. A method and apparatus for creation of small laser-induced damages needed for reproduction of holograms by transforming wavelength of laser radiation generating breakdowns at the predetermined points of transparent materials are described.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for production of laser-induced images with internal structure, so as its internal structure is visible. The method provides the creation of the arrangement of laser-induced damages so that: the outer laser-induced damages do not shade the internal laser-induced damages; all laser-induced damages are located inside 3D image space and reproduced both internal shapes of separate fragments and their shades of gray; all laser-induced damages can be produced by laser-induced breakdown without internal crash of a transparent material. The method can be used for producing both art and tomographic images.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for producing holograms by creating arrangement of laser-induced damages inside transparent materials. A method for transformation of an interference pattern into arrangement of points so that laser-induced damages created at these points are able to reconstruct high quality holographic images is disclosed. A method and apparatus for creation of small laser-induced damages needed for reproduction of holograms by transforming wavelength of laser radiation generating breakdowns at the predetermined points of transparent materials are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and laser-computer graphics systems for producing images such as portraits and 3-D sculptures formed from laser light created etch points inside an optically transparent material are disclosed. The produced image has a high resolution like a computer graphic image from which it is derived, little fluctuation in gray shades, and has no discernable point structure. In an embodiment, the image is comprised of auxiliary images of multiple layers of etch points, the points of each auxiliary layer and the respective layers spaced to prevent failure of the material. In a method and system, images are produced in multiple articles simultaneously using separate beams. An embodiment of the invention comprises a method and system for using two beams for generating etch points with improved optical characteristics, such etch points useful in generating a one layer image with high resolution. Another embodiment of the method comprises a method for creating iridescent etch points in material.

Abstract: A method for production of laser-induced damage images, which are able to change their optical characteristics depending on bopresight allocation and which are looked like iridescent images laying out white light incident upon them. These images are created by laser-induced damages of special space form. These damages are produced by creation of two areas (the first and the second) surrounding the pre-set points: the first area is essentially large than the second area, having form like desirable damage. The pulse laser radiation creates under critical electron density in the first area and initiates the breakdown in the second area.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and an apparatus for creating high quality laser-induced damage images are disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method for producing laser-induced images inside the special transparent material containing special kinds of impurities, which decrease the damage threshold of the material. Laser radiation is focused inside the transparent material in such a way that focal area contains at least one said impurity. Other embodiments of the invention comprise a method and a system for producing laser-induced images by using two lasers. The first laser generates radiation, which heats the predetermined material area about a point, where breakdown should be produced, to the vitrify temperature. The second laser generates radiation, which creates breakdown in a point of the heated area after the area is heated to the vitrify temperature.

Abstract: A method for creating 3D laser-induced head image inside transparent material is disclosed. Initial information for this creation is several 2D portraits. Creation of 3D laser-induced head image has three stages. The first stage is the construction of 3D head model from corresponding principal parts detailed from given 2D portraits and creation of the bearing point arrangement by covering the model by equidistance points. This bearing point arrangement gives information only about spatial configuration of points. The second stage is transformation of the bearing point arrangement into point arrangement, which has more complete information about portraits. The third stage is production of a plurality of the etch points inside a transparent material by a laser beam, which is periodically focused at the points belonging to the transformed point arrangement.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and an apparatus for creating points or areas of laser-induced damage inside a transparent material are disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method and system for producing etch points by control of breakdown process development. In one embodiment, at the beginning an applied laser radiation level just exceeds an energy threshold for creating a plasma condition in the material, and thereafter the energy level of the applied laser radiation is just maintain the plasma condition and is applied before the plasma condition extinguishes, but after a shock wave associated therewith has passed. Other embodiments of the invention comprise a method and a system for producing etch points by controlling a space structure of laser beam. According to the invention a laser generates a TEMmnm radiation. The values of the integers m and n are controlled and determined so as to reproduce particular gray shades for a particular point of an image.

Abstract: The system for high-speed production of high quality laser-induced damage images inside transparent materials is disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention disclose a system, which produces the said images by the combination of an electro-optical deflector and means for moving the article or focusing optical system. The combination of the said devices together with using of two laser beams allows increase the image production speed substantially, without the image deterioration. One or more embodiments of the invention disclose a system for creation of a laser-induced damage by generation of breakdowns at several separate centers by using the computing phase hologram, the phase structure of which is calculated so that the laser beam, passing through the hologram, is focused at several spots. One or more embodiments of the invention disclose a system for creation of a laser-induced damage by generation of breakdowns at area where two laser beams intersect.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and an apparatus for creating points or areas of laser-induced damage inside a transparent material are disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method and system for producing etch points by control of breakdown process development. In one embodiment, at the beginning an applied laser radiation level just exceeds an energy threshold for creating a plasma condition in the material, and thereafter the energy level of the applied laser radiation is just maintain the plasma condition and is applied before the plasma condition extinguishes, but after a shock wave associated therewith has passed. Other embodiments of the invention comprise a method and a system for producing etch points by controlling a space structure of laser beam. According to the invention a laser generates a TEMmn radiation. The values of the integers m and n are controlled and determined so as to reproduce particular gray shades for a particular point of an image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the production of laser-induced images inside transparent material, when complete image information is lacking before production and is supplemented only during production. The method enables to transform both the displayed image represented by incomplete data, and the new image parts added during production into aggregate of laser-induced damages (etch points) so as the high quality laser-induced image can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the production of laser-induced images inside transparent material, when complete image information is lacking before production and is supplemented only during production. The method enables to transform both the displayed image represented by incomplete data, and the new image parts added during production into aggregate of laser-induced damages (etch points) so as the high quality laser-induced image can be produced.

Abstract: The method for producing images inside transparent materials by combination of laser-induced color centers and laser-induced damages is disclosed. The method is based on two physical phenomenon: photoionization and laser-induced breakdown. The method includes transformation of the computer image into arrangements of pixels, which should be produced as either areas of laser-induced color centers or laser-induced damages inside transparent materials. The same laser produces both color centers and laser-induced damages by controlling the energy of generated pulses. The method enables to produce several different laser-induced images inside the same transparent material so that each of them is visible inside its small space angle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the production of laser-induced color images within three-dimensional transparent media, particularly inside the photosensitive glass. The latent image is created by focusing of IK ultra short (from femtosecond to picosecond) laser pulsed radiation into separate areas of the photosensitive glass, so that focal spot sizes are approximately equal to the resolution element of the created image. The latent image develops to the visible image by focusing of laser pulses at points of the latent image, so that focal spots are essentially smaller than the resolution element. During the latent image creation, the laser power is smaller than the breakdown threshold, but has enough value to create the radiation with broad spectrum. During the visible image development, the laser power increases the breakdown threshold, but the breakdown is generated in such a way that the laser-induced damage is practically invisible.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the production of laser-induced color images within three-dimensional transparent media, particularly inside the photosensitive glass. The latent image is created by focusing of IK ultra short (from femtosecond to picosecond) laser pulsed radiation into separate areas of the photosensitive glass, so that focal spot sizes are approximately equal to the resolution element of the created image. The latent image develops to the visible image by focusing of laser pulses at points of the latent image, so that focal spots are essentially smaller than the resolution element. During the latent image creation, the laser power is smaller than the breakdown threshold, but has enough value to create the radiation with broad spectrum. During the visible image development, the laser power increases the breakdown threshold, but the breakdown is generated in such a way that the laser-induced damage is practically invisible.

Abstract: The method for producing images inside transparent materials by combination of laser-induced color centers and laser-induced damages is disclosed. The method is based on two physical phenomenon: photoionization and laser-induced breakdown. The method includes transformation of the computer image into arrangements of pixels, which should be produced as either areas of laser-induced color centers or laser-induced damages inside transparent materials. The same laser produces both color centers and laser-induced damages by controlling the energy of generated pulses. The method enables to produce several different laser-induced images inside the same transparent material so that each of them is visible inside its small space angle.

Abstract: A method for creating arrangement of damages for production of 3D laser-induced damage portraits with the space resolution, which is equal to the appropriate computer 3D model, is disclosed. 3D laser-induced damage portraits produced by the method, have sufficiently tight faces and profiles so that the clearance surface dose not interfere the face surface, and the right (left) profile does not interfere with the left (right) profile. These effects are created by production of the sophisticated arrangement of damages, placed both on 3D portrait surface and inside area of the 3D portrait. Due to the method it is possible to make laser-induced damages, corresponding to all pixels of the 3D computer model and reproduced the right brightness of the material point without the internal split.