Optimised display technology enables ‘stunningly life like’ pictures

Katrin Paschke and her team at FBH have developed red laser light sources within InnoProfile in an initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. LDT Laser Display Technology has collaborated with the institute to integrate the modules, which have been miniaturised to a unit the size of a matchbox, into their next generation laser projectors. "With laser projection, 90% of the colour space of the human eye can be covered," said Paschke. "Thus, the image quality is fascinating. Today's flat screens manage only about 50% of that." According to Paschke, the red emitting micro modules were combined with several elements, such as laser chip and micro optics. The red light was then generated directly using semiconductor lasers "as small as a grain of rice". Custom built micro optics (approx. 1 x 1 x 1 mm^³) were used to ensure the module didn't exceed the size of a matchbox and had to be positioned and fixed with highest precision of under one micrometre. Specifically manufactured industrial diamonds were used to dissipate excessive heat. The researchers say the technology will extend past its use in planetaria and flight simulators. "Some day holograms will leap through our homes," said Paschke.