Three-dimensional displays

Three-dimensional display techniques can be classified as binocular and autostereoscopic types, still and animated types, nontransmitted and transmitted types, and nonholographic and holographic types. This paper deals mainly with autostereoscopic still nontransmitted techniques. Holographic and nonholographic tecniques are described on about equal footing. For the sake of brevity, emphasis is placed upon those techniques that appeared in the past several years. However, some old techniques of historical and/or practical importance are also mentioned because rather few textbooks are available in this field. In the final part, state of the art of three-dimensional display for animated and transmitted images (three-dimensional television) is described. Speculations on the direction of the development are presented.