2007 Laser Projection Systems

Abstract

A study of the use of lasers as an illumination source for projection systems

Quick Facts

• Date of Release: November 2007
• Publisher: Insight Media
• Authors: Matthew Brennesholtz
• Number of Pages: 221

The Need:

Virtually all microdisplay-based projection systems built to date have used an HID lamp such as the UHP as a light source. While lasers have been proposed as replacements for the lamp as far back as 1966, cost and performance of these systems has rarely been satisfactory. Today only extreme high-end, high-price projectors use laser illumination. There is a need for an evaluation of lasers in terms of technology, price and performance, and comparison of these parameters to the existing and forecast markets for projection systems across a range of potential applications.

Report Objective:

The objective of this report is to supply technologists, managers, product planners, engineers and researchers with the information needed to evaluate laser technology in proposed projection displays. The required information needed to make these decisions include performance data, cost information and availability, forecasted from 2007-2012. Since the projection market includes segments that range from very low end to very high end, this report evaluates lasers from a few milliwatts to 5 watts and more of optical output per color. Separate Market Segment Analyses of nine different market segments focus on applying the cost and performance data of laser systems developed in the main report.

Highlights:

• Coverage of the use of lasers in displays, including both benefits and problems
• Optimized wavelengths and colorimetry of lasers to be used for projection displays
• A description of current solid-state laser technology for visible-light lasers from 1mW to 5W output and beyond (Expanded to include technologies not discussed in the 2006 Insight Media Laser Report)
• A discussion, including examples, of the opto-mechanical design of solid state lasers
• Evaluation of projection systems that can use laser illumination, including flying spot scanners, 1-D arrays, such as the GLV or GEMS, and conventional microdisplays when used with laser illumination
• A technology forecast for solid-state lasers including changes in the technology that can be expected through 2012
• A forecast of the technology to be used in laser-based projection systems through 2012
• Price forecasts for lasers, as a function of output power, color and quantity per year. All price forecasts go through 2012. These prices are forecast based on the prices of existing lasers (Including a comparison to the prices forecast in the 2006 Insight Media Laser Report)
• "Breakthrough" laser price forecasts through 2012. These prices are for low-cost lasers specifically designed for projection display applications(New in the 2007 Report)
• A discussion of how these breakthrough price forecasts may be achieved by laser manufacturers (Expanded and updated)
• A table containing information on 85 companies involved in lasers or laser projection
• Profiles of 12 laser manufacturers (Compared to 6 in 2006 Report)
• Profiles of 11 additional companies involved in laser projection (Compared to 10 in 2006 report)