Interferometric Motion:
Making Sonic Frequencies Tangible
Interferometry is the experimental measurement of displacement caused by the construction and deconstruction of waveforms. Indicies of refraction can be gathered from light, such as in holography, as well as from sound. For this project, we aimed to develop a system to visualize the interfering trajectories of a grid of points assigned and "emitting" specific frequencies. As each point affects every other point in the grid, their new vertices are plotted. Created with Max Lauter of Sonic Platforms.
Index description: frequency 100 Hz, amplitude 0.39
Part 1
For the first iteration, a grid of points was fed an increasing frequency (from 25 Hz to 2 Khz) with a fixed amplitude. Additionally, a scaling factor/multiplier was introduced to increase the distance between the interference step of each frequency.
This was performed for six different intensities: the resulting geometry captured across this spectrum began to demonstrate consistent patterns, but in the upper ends of the spectrum would dissipate into chaotic and non-resemblant arrangements.
Rhino / Grasshopper / Firefly (Python-based plug in for Grasshopper) were used to deform the initial grid of points according to a specified amplitude and frequency. Connecting the points as they deform creates the illusion of a single form.
Index description: sine sweep 25 Hz to 2 Khz, fixed frequency.
Part 2
The next iteration of the visualization system evolved to include a z-factor for the displacement of the waveforms (see animation above). Using a fixed frequency and amplitude, the steps of intensity for interference were then mapped in 3-dimensional space. Each generation affects the grid through subtle interactions until the resulting complexity creates a sort of 'explosion.'
We see this as a first step in the development of a visualization system that can map interacting sonic forces within a pre-defined volume (hopefully more on this later...)
Piping the emerging lines lends form to the interference pattern.
SLS (laser sintering) 3d print of interference pattern.