CSTG Proposes to develop a high power red laser diode for digital cinema projector, Laser TV and conference room projector manufacturers, as part of the projector’s RGB light source. This Proof of Concept project will be carried out as a follow on from a Proof of Market project which assessed the commercial viability for CSTG to develop such laser diodes. Laser based cinema projectors offer significant advantages over current largely Xenon bulb based equipment. Xenon bulbs are power inefficient and have short bulb lifetime. Laser based cinema projectors offer high efficiency, long lifetime and a much wider colour space, which delivers significantly deeper colours and higher brightness. A laser based cinema projector requires red, green and blue lasers, each producing from 50 to 200 Watts. For the red laser this could be satisfied by combining the output of a number of red laser diode bars. The red laser in such a projector system (which is the subject of this project) ideally emits light at a wavelength between 630 nm and 640 nm. This is where the responsivity of the human eye to red light is maximised. This particular wavelength requirement leads to additional challenges for diode laser technology in the areas of: thermal performance, facet coating and passivation, process yield, submount configuration and speckle reduction, all of which present significant challenges. The total worldwide market for red laser diodes in entertainment display was $32M in 2010, is forecasted to grow at 20% per year and reach $50M to $100M in the next 5 to 7 years. Thus there is a significant commercial opportunity if the required laser diode can be developed. As prices reduce, lower cost and higher volume projectors will start to use laser diodes for their light sources and it is anticipated that other applications for high power red laser diodes will also emerge.

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

Awaiting Public Project Summary

"Every electronic product needs a clock to keep it working and synchronised within the system and nowadays, across the world. Atomic clocks allow the highest possible precision in defining time, which is critical in determining position in navigation and defence systems, and in next generation telecommunications systems that power the internet age. Atomic clocks are presently bulky and expensive, and the world is demanding ever more timing accuracy. A main cost and size factor comes from the laser and optical systems used inside these next generation of clocks based on a lattice of strontium atoms. The miniaturisation of these systems and their cost reduction is now required to enable entry to a wider commercial market. This project develops special semiconductor laser light sources optimised to enable this miniaturisation and cost reduction. State of the art materials growth at CST Global and chip fabrication at the University of Glasgow is brought together alongside the UKs national measurement institute, NPL to solve these challenges."