|
First
introduced in Star Trek: The Next
Generation, the holodeck (technically called the Holographic
Environment Simulator) is a virtual reality system that can recreate
almost any simulated environment stored in the ship's computer in the
form of holo-programs. The Holodeck consists of two main
sub-systems - the holographic imagery sub-system and the matter
conversion system. The holographic imagery sub-system creates images of
incredibly realistic environments. Computer-driven holographic
projectors control a series of shaped-field forcebeam projectors which
are capable of giving physical substance to these holographic images,
or holograms. The matter-conversion sub-system uses transporter
and replicator-based technology to create physical objects for use in
the simulation from raw material. The Holodeck also generates life-like
simulations of humans and other life forms.
|
The Enterprise-D holodeck
|
Holograms are actually apparent images
with three-dimensional structure and are well-developed technology
today. Large-scale holograms, illuminated with lasers or displayed in a
darkened room with carefully directed lighting, can produce absolutely
precise, three-dimensional images of real objects. Basic conventional
holographic systems consist of a laser (usually red helium-neon);
lenses; a beam splitter; mirrors; and holographic film. However,
researchers at MIT's famous Media Lab have developed electro-holography
systems that uses powerful computers to direct lasers to generate
complex full colour, full-motion, interactive 3D-images. The system can
generate dynamic images that exhibit all of the visual sensations of
depth and realism found in physical objects and scenes at nearly the
same speed as video. A robotic device will let viewers actually
interact with the hologram where, for example, a car designer would
create a 3-D shape for a car and manipulate it so that the viewer
can reach into the hologram, touch it, and change its shape.
|
|