The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1998
Nabil M Lawandy, North Kingston, RI (US);
Spectra Science Corporation, Providence, RI (US);
Abstract
A high efficiency, narrow spectral linewidth lasing pixel device that implements a low-voltage spatially patterned variable loss element placed inside an optically pumped high-gain laser cavity is disclosed. The output properties of this system make it useful for digital projection displays. A method for producing a projection image is also disclosed, the method comprises the steps of: providing pump energy for exciting a gain medium disposed within a laser cavity; in response to the excitation, emitting optical energy from the gain medium, wherein the optical energy oscillates within the laser cavity; during an image mode, selectively activating regions of a pixelated loss element disposed in the laser cavity within an oscillation path of the optical energy; wherein when in an on-state, first regions of the pixelated loss element are made substantially transparent to allow the oscillating optical energy to travel through the first regions of the loss element, and wherein when in an off-state, second regions of the pixelated loss element are made reflective to scatter the oscillating optical energy encountering the second regions of the loss element; and outputting the oscillating optical energy that travelled through the first regions of the pixelated loss element to create the projection image.