Early proposal for an acousto-optic gramophone

Robert C. Chivers

doi:10.1117/12.330481

11 November 1998 Early proposal for an acousto-optic gramophone

Robert C. Chivers

Proceedings Volume 3581, Acousto-Optics and Applications III; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.330481
Event: Acousto-Optics and Applications III, 1998, Gdansk-Jurata, Poland

Abstract

Some of the work of Professor AO Rankine, first presented to the Physical Society of London in 1919 is reviewed. Prior to discussing his work, elements of acousto-optics, and developments to that time are sketched in order to provide a content for Rankine's innovations. His initial proposal was for a system to transmit speech sounds over distances of several kilometers using light waves. Various possibilities were discussed, the most successful of which was based on the interference of a vertical grid with a superimposed image of itself. This proposal was shortly followed by a successful demonstration of the possibility of using this 'photophone' in conjunction with a rapidly moving photographic film to record any type of sounds. They could then be replayed using a relatively simple optical system and a selenium detector. Some comments are made on the ration between Rankine's system and more recent developments in optical sound recording.

Citation Download Citation

Robert C. Chivers "Early proposal for an acousto-optic gramophone", Proc. SPIE 3581, Acousto-Optics and Applications III, (11 November 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.330481

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available