Tyndall spin-out shines new light on AR
Vivid Photonics, a spin-out company from Tyndall National Institute and IPIC, the Research Ireland Centre for Photonics, has developed a new GaN-based technology for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).
The company's horizontal cavity surface emitting super luminescent diode (SLD) technology — is described as 'the first of its kind'— and promises to deliver superior image quality in compact, ultra-low-power, lightweight AR devices such as smart glasses
“Years of advanced research at Tyndall have produced breakthrough manufacturing processes that will revolutionise how we generate projected light for small, lightweight AR glasses,” said Chris Gorman (pictured above), CEO of Vivid Photonics. “The image quality we expect to achieve will be on par with real life.”
SLDs with horizontal cavities in the visible spectrum combine the benefits of LEDs and laser diodes. Characterised by broad emission spectrum, directionality, and high output power, SLDs suit applications requiring high-brightness, high spatial coherence, and low temporal coherence, such as imaging and projection systems due to their speckle-free emission.
The innovation has the potential to make a significant impact in fields ranging from education and medicine to environmental science and entertainment. Paul Townsend, director of IPIC and head of photonics at Tyndall, expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to see the commercialisation of this latest innovation from Brian Corbett’s world-leading photonics research group. This is a fantastic example of how investment in cutting-edge photonics research, through programmes like IPIC, can generate real-world impact.”
The team behind this spin-out, including Brian Corbett, has extensive industry experience. Corbett, a prolific inventor, has been instrumental in the success of several spin-out companies, including InfiniLED, which was acquired by Meta in 2016.
William Scanlon, CEO of Tyndall, highlighted the potential of the technology, stating, “Vivid Photonics’ technology is set to redefine how the digital and physical worlds interact. This spin-out is a testament to Tyndall’s excellence in photonics research, and we look forward to the profound impact this technology will have across a range of applications.”
Sally Cudmore, director of University College Cork (UCC) Innovation, added, “It is exciting to see many years of Tyndall and UCC research come to fruition with the creation of this photonics spin-out. The UCC Innovation team has supported the project from inception to spin-out, and I congratulate the research team on their entrepreneurial journey.”
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