Fourier Theory

Standing waves are composed of sinusoidal waveforms of different frequencies and phases. According to Fourier theory, virtually any pattern or waveform can be defined by a sum of a series of sinusoids, and therefore standing waves can potentially express any pattern.

For example the image on the left, below, can be broken down into sinusoidal components, three of which are shown to the right. This means that this image, or any other image, can be constructed from the appropriate set of component standing waves. Notice how each of these component waveforms captures a holistic Gestalt aspect of the scene.

The spatial structure of the image is encoded by an array of audio frequencies, playing together as in a musical chord, with higher harmonics on a fundamental resonance. Playing back that musical chord in the presence of the appropriate resonantor will replicate the picture as a compound standing wave across the resonator.

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