Applications of Laser Technology to Photographic Optical Sound Recording
Photographic optical sound recording has been used for composite sound tracks on cinema prints since the introduction of sound on motion-picture film. It has evolved through variable-area to variable-density modulation, using various forms of modulators, and back to variable-area, in worldwide use today. The majority of modulators currently in use are light valves and galvanometers, both types capable of stereophonic variable-area recording. Various other modulator schemes have been tried, but few were ever commercially put into service. Today a successful new optical recorder has been developed, using a laser beam that is capable of exposing a sharper image with a more even field and an extended frequency response. This article describes this new technology, which can be used for recording standard stereo variable-area sound tracks, making optical test films, and future recording of digital audio sound negatives.
- Print ISSN
- 0036-1682
- Published
- 1992-01
- Content type
- Original Research
- DOI
- 10.5594/J02357