First true green laser

[BadgerKid]

Green diode lasers a big breakthrough for laser-display tech

By Chris Lee | Last updated July 23, 2009 6:44 PM CT

Ever wonder why projector systems and televisions doesn't use laser illumination? It isn't for safety reasons, and it isn't for efficiency reasons—laser diodes have efficiencies ranging from 30 to 50 percent. No, the problem is green light. We have red laser diodes, and blue laser diodes turned up nearly 15 years ago. But green—where the heck is the green laser diode?

A group of Japanese researchers have answered that question: in our lab. Yes, they have the first "true green" laser diode. It doesn't work that well yet but, based on past history, expect rapid progress from here and commercial laser diodes before the end of next year.


More at http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/07/green-diode-lasers-a-big-breakthrough-for-laser-display-tech.ars

[ieoeja]

1. So in a few short years, LCD, LED, Plasma will all be obsolete? n/t

[maxsolomon]

2. glad i waited!

ah, who am i kidding? i don't care about TV technology - if its paid for and it still works why would i get another?

i look forward to the mounting of all 3 color lasers on the heads of sharks.

[Warpy]

5. Probably, but until I see the power requirements for laser sets

I'll keep my relatively efficient LCD screen, thanks.

[Tesha]

6. No, not necessarily.

If you want a "flat panel" TV, lasers won't do it. OLEDs (Organic Light
Emitting Diode) sets are where that market is going, at least once they
can make a blue OLED with a reasonable lifetime (>10K hours rather
than ~1K hours).

Lasers are find for front- or rear-projection TVs and will probably
dominate there.

Tesha

[Ian David]

3. I want to project porn on the moon! n/t

[tridim]

4. Cheap video projection = A marketer's dream

Ads will be projected EVERYWHERE. Laws need to be passed now, before this becomes a reality.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. First true green laser DIODE -- green lasers have been around a long time.

Quibble, quibble.

[Tesha]

8. I realize the story said this, but just for clarification of the headline...

This may be the first green *DIODE* (solid-state) laser but it
certainly isn't the first green laser; argon gas lasers have been
delivering green light for decades now.

Tesha

[scubadude]

9. Laser TV's exist now, but are on the expensive side.

Mitsubishi's 65" Laservue. I have never seen one but it is said to have among the best for picture quality, the best for color, and use half the electrical power. Lasers are very efficient.

http://www.laservuetv.com/

scuba

[Silent3]

10. But can you mount them on sharks? n/t

[Tesha]

11. 'Only if the sharks are "frickin'"! (NT)

[qazplm]

12. well the mounting isnt the problem

finding the sharks is difficult.

I hear sea bass are a handy substitute.

[sakabatou]

14. But all we have is sea bass.

[Johonny]

13. ? A green diode pumped YAG can give you like 120 mW

in a laser pointer sized device. So I imagine you could make a device if you really wanted to with existing technology.