Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for intracavity pixelated lasing projection

US6088380A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 1998
Grant dateJul 11, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/2358
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A high efficiency, narrow spectral linewidth lasing pixel device that implements a low-voltage spatially patterned variable loss element placed inside an optically pumped high-gain laser cavity is disclosed. The output properties of this system make it useful for digital projection displays. A method for producing a projection image is also disclosed, the method comprises the steps of: providing pump energy for exciting a gain medium disposed within a laser cavity; in response to the excitation, emitting optical energy from the gain medium, wherein the optical energy oscillates within the laser cavity; during an image mode, selectively activating regions of a pixelated loss element disposed in the laser cavity within an oscillation path of the optical energy; wherein when in an on-state, first regions of the pixelated loss element are made substantially transparent to allow the oscillating optical energy to travel through the first regions of the loss element, and wherein when in an off-state, second regions of the pixelated loss element are made reflective to scatter the oscillating optical energy encountering the second regions of the loss element; and outputting the oscillating …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.