Quicktime (919K)

High Speed Optical Shutter
The optical shutter directs a beam of light by passing it through apertures in the shutter. Here we demonstrate (real-time footage!) a switching time of 35 milliseconds.

Quicktime (758K)
AVI (334K)

2-Bit Binary Encoder
The binary encoder wheel stops in any of four positions, each of which is associated with a particular shutter aperture. A single beam of light would be capable of up to four signals based on the wheel's orientation.

Quicktime (345K)
AVI (334K)

2-Bit Binary Encoder (High Speed Operation)
Same encoder as above, operating at an incredible switching speed of 500 microseconds! Sound waves travel about six inches in that amount of time.