This is considerable interst in the use of coherent sources for display of images, given the brightness of a coherent source compared to conventional light sources such as incandescent or arc lamps. For example, existing color image-projection systems based on coventional lamps require darkened room for viewing large image sizes. On the other hand, coherent sources of sufficient power can generate large, easily viewable images even in the presence of a high level of ambient light. However, current laser projector systems based on lamp-pumped solid-state or gas lasers are bulky, inefficient and unreliable.
Benefits: This work proposes to realize a compact solid-state laser projector bases on an innovative optical parametric oscillator (OPO)-based approach. This OPO is pumped by a frequency-doubled diode-pumped green laser to produce signal and idler wavelengths around 900 and 1250 nm. These OPO outputs are the frequency-doubled to produce blue light around 450 nm and red light around 635 nm. The proposed source offers the advantage of using only one laser heard to simultaneously produce all three primary colors, reducing system complexity, size and power consumption. The performance goals for the projector are to produce an on-screen luminance of >2000 1m at XGA resolution with a power consumption of less than 1 kW in a compact package measuring 2x3x3 feet. Furthermore the compact laser projector will ofer greater chromatic contrast, higher luminance contrast and shorter throw distance than lamp-based projectors with the ability to project on curved surfaces. This course will be an ideal replacement for high-end light-valve and LCD projection displays in applications such as flight simulators.
