Currently the only laser projection systems available are high-priced ones intended for the visualization and simulation markets. In many ways, lasers and projection displays are a natural combination, as was recognized shortly after the invention of the laser. The very low étendue of lasers allows the use of very small microdisplays, or no microdisplay at all. This allows for very small and compact optical systems. Yet at CES, of the 12 pico-projectors I saw, only one used an all-laser light source (Microvision) and one used a hybrid Laser/LED source (Explay). The other 10 used LED solutions, including both RGB combinations and white LEDs. Mitsubishi also introduced its Laser RPTV at CES at a Las Vegas-style blow-out including dancing girls. This is the first formally announced mass-market projector containing lasers, although Mitsubishi gave neither a specific availability date nor a MSRP for the system.

Matt Brennesholtz
Insight Media Analyst

One of the main barriers to the more widespread adoption of lasers in projection systems is the cost issue. Most high-power visible light lasers currently available commercially are intended for markets that are relatively insensitive to cost, such as medical, military or industrial applications. A RPTV based on these lasers would need to be priced at $90,000 or more and sales could be expected to be poor.

Multiple companies are currently developing low-cost lasers specifically for display applications. One of these, Novalux, was recently acquired by the Australian company Arasor. Arasor had previously supplied components to Novalux and Novalux’s licensees. According to Greg Niven at Novalux, this means the Novalux division of Arasor will be able to produce complete lasers, rather than just selling components to its licensees. This process will be helped along by Arasor’s access to manufacturing facilities in China. According to Niven, Novalux will continue to support its existing licensees but the focus will be on developing and selling complete lasers. Arasor also recently inked a USD$300M joint venture with ZTE International, not ZTE Corporation, as originally reported by Arasor. Seems strange to me that you don’t know who you are dealing with in a $300M deal financed by the China Development Bank. Anyway, according to the press release, "Arasor and ZTE International have established the joint venture to commercialize a wide range of laser based display applications including televisions, projectors and cellular phone applications." Presumably, these lasers all will be based on Novalux technology.

QPC is another company targeting lasers at the display market. They recently received a $1.15M development contract from an unnamed CE company. This becomes a firm $11M production order once QPC demonstrates it can meet the specifications.

Another contender in the lasers for projection race is EpiCrystals Inc. of Finland. Their initial products are expected to have up to 60mW per color, just right for the pico-projector market. Their roadmap has samples going to strategic customers in 2008 and mass production in Q1 2009. Lasers up to 500mW are on the roadmap for Q3 ‘09 and they are also planning lasers up to 3W per color. All their lasers are based on frequency doubling of IR wavelengths generated in GaAs materials but details of the technology are not available.

Other laser companies known to be developing lasers specifically for display applications include Bookham Technology, Corning, Principia Lightworks, Laser Light Engines, LightRush and others. No doubt I will get feedback from one of the "Others" about omitting them from the list.

While LEDs are currently leading in the race for solid-state light sources for projection, this could change as these lasers come on the market. One reason LEDs are ahead of lasers is the huge investments in LED R&D for non-display applications (See DD October 2, 2007 Here). There are many mass-market applications for visible light LEDs and synergy between LEDs for illumination and LEDs for displays is very strong. On the other hand, there are relatively few mass-market applications for visible light lasers so the developments have been going more slowly. As companies like Arasor will testify, there is money available for laser development and these lasers will arrive on the market sooner rather than later.

For more information on Lasers and LEDs for projection applications see the in-depth Insight Media reports on the subjects. For up-to-the minute information on laser and LED developments, see our monthly newsletters. For example, the January MDR will have complete details on the Arasor/Novalux deal, and Novalux plans for higher powered, lower cost lasers.

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