Laser-based displays: a review

Abstract

After the invention of lasers, in the past 50 years progress made in laser-based display technology has been very promising, with commercial products awaiting release to the mass market. Compact laser systems, such as edge-emitting diodes, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and optically pumped semiconductor lasers, are suitable candidates for laser-based displays. Laser speckle is an important concern, as it degrades image quality. Typically, one or multiple speckle reduction techniques are employed in laser displays to reduce speckle contrast. Likewise, laser safety issues need to be carefully evaluated in designing laser displays under different usage scenarios. Laser beam shaping using refractive and diffractive components is an integral part of laser displays, and the requirements depend on the source specifications, modulation technique, and the scanning method being employed in the display. A variety of laser-based displays have been reported, and many products such as pico projectors and laser televisions are commercially available already.

Modulation of frequency doubled DFB-tapered diode lasers for medical treatment

“…Some of these applications, such as laser displays 1 and ophthalmology 2 require pulse on demand operation of the green light. Ophthalmologists use green lasers to create controlled burns on the retina of the eye.…”

Numerical investigation of an impact of a top gold metallization on output power of a p-up III-N-based blue-violet edge-emitting laser diode

“…Higher output power un− der continuous−wave (CW) room−temperature (RT) opera− tion of these devices is a key component for higher rate writ− ing, multi−layer discs, larger screens, as well as for opening new market opportunities in projections, printings, medical diagnostics and industrial applications [2][3][4][5]. In order to achieve high−power laser diodes, low thermal resistance and high wall−plug efficiency are required.…”

The influence of a light pipe on the coherence properties in laser projectors

“…[1][2][3] Inherently connected to the use of lasers is the appearance of speckle. A speckle pattern is created by interference of (at least partially) coherent radiation that is scattered from a random surface that is rough on the scale of the optical wavelength.…”