Electro-optic frame photography with pulsed ruby illumination

摘要

By combining the attributes of electro-optic shuttering and pulsed laser illumination in a large format camera system, we have developed a multi-frame image converter camera with a laser illuminator that produces sequential photographs of fast phenomena with very high resolution. The combination of the large size image plane (75 mm), short exposure time per frame (minimum 12--15 ns), and monochromatic laser illumination provides clear, sharp, front-lit images of surfaces and shapes with no degradation by luminous air shocks or motion blur. The unique modular design of the camera and the laser allow for a variety of configurations and applications. The current camera system produces eight independent pictures or four stereo pairs. A Q-switched ruby laser with multiple pulse capability provides individual illumination for each frame. This system has photographed a variety of fast phenomena including the first stereo sequential photographs of the initial formation and early time history of high velocity shaped-charge jets.