Coherent and Osram collaborate on laser TV
Coherent has signed a licensing agreement with Osram that allows the use of Coherent s optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSL) in laser-based projection displays.
The license allows Osram to develop and deploy red, green, and blue lasers using Coherent s intellectual property in consumer applications such as projection television and so-called pocket projectors for hand-held devices.
"Coherent has developed and shipped multi-watt RGB lasers and demonstrated laser projection television utilizing our OPS technology," said John Ambroseo, Coherent s President and CEO. "We believe Osram is an excellent technology partner with the resources and business model necessary to develop this technology for the next phase of the consumer display market."
Coherent says that the main hurdle to the adoption of laser technology for the consumer product market is cost. Therefore, licensing the technology to a high volume/low cost manufacturer, such as Osram, is necessary in order to achieve the economies of scale necessary to penetrate the consumer market. However Coherent will continue to be involved in high-value applications, such as flight and ship simulators and digital cinema projectors where cost is not as much of an issue.
Author
Matthew Peach is a freelance technology journalist based in Bath, UK.
