Pocket sized projector shines in sunlight
1 min read
The days of suitcase sized projectors may be numbered if a new prototype from the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is anything to go by. Researchers have successfully developed microscopically small nanostructured arrays of lenses that can record or project extremely sharp images in brilliant colours. This new technique means images appear clearly even in a sun filled room.
The prototype of the new projector consists of an optical system measuring 11 x 3mm, through which a powerful led lamp shines.
"The special thing about the new projection technology is that the image is already integrated in the microoptics," said Marcel Sieler, physicist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena. "The pixels, measuring just 100nm, are stored in a chromium layer under the lens array. Such a microarray has around 250 microlenses and under each lens there is a microimage. When all of them are projected onto the wall together, a high quality, complete image is produced from an extremely small projector."
Michael Popall from the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research, believes the pocket sized technology has the potential to replace not only overhead and digital projectors, but also cameras. "The commercial prospects for ultra flat microoptical systems are excellent because they open up numerous new applications – like minicameras or miniprojectors," he said.
Popall asserts that it was only through close cooperation between chemists and physicists at Fraunhofer that they succeeded in producing the arrays, substrates and components needed for the extremely flat, high quality optics. "The resolution attainable is now almost as high as that of high quality glass optics – but using significantly less material and space," he said. "What's more, the new material can be mass produced, which keeps the costs much lower."
The scientists will be presenting their research at the Nanotech 2011 trade show in Tokyo this February.
