IMAX will use laser in 2014 for some projector

[Doctorbass]

I guess that they will use them as a source as well to replace the xenon lamp.

They use like 15 000Watts Xenon lamp that produce about 1/2 million lumens, i just wonder what total laser power they will use and wich laser they will use!!

http://www.stuff.tv/insane-next-gen-...t-colours/news

Doc

[-bart-]

Not only will the resolution be pushing the boundaries of 8k, at least, but it’ll also double the contrast of the world’s current brightest 4000:1 screen to 8000:1. That means a wider colour gamut – so "it will let us come closer to creating a true fluorescent colour", says Bonnick.

Using this camera we can record neon colour – and then using our laser projectors we can display it.

WTF is neon colour ?

Maybe they plan to do some hybrid projection.

[Galvonaut]

WTF is neon colour ?

Maybe they plan to do some hybrid projection.

Maybe they plan to use UV or use a fluorescent screen? Sounds like a proper version of what I want to do - laser highlighting of graphics/video.

Keith

[JD3]

I ran across the IMAX variance on reg.gov the other day. Interesting stuff

[krazer]

It sounds like they are going for a winder gamut, probably including some 'uv-ish' wavelengths in the 400-450nm range (hopefully also complimented with deeper reds in the 650-700nm range, maybe a nice yellow in the middle...). It also sounds like they have a camera with a sensor taylored to the colors they are using in the projector (which would also fit with the theory of adding a uv wavelength).

Did the variance mention wavelengths/powers by chance? My guess is that it is a huge array of 405 or 445nm diodes with a phosphor, Junktronix mentioned he has got a bunch of 1w 445nm diodes out of a prototype projector of some sort http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...W-laser-diodes

[mixedgas]

No, not at all diode. OPO based systems. The theatre guys have banded together for a solid state, standardized system

here is one such beast:

http://www.laserlightengines.com/

Steve

[krazer]

Do you mean OPS (optically pumped semiconductor)?
Looking around on the site you gave the DSG265-LPW1 (~545nm, 20w into a 400um fiber) runs from 72A, 4v 'nominal' which sounds a lot like a NIR (800-900nm) diode pumping a frequency doubled OPSL, or possibly 445nm pumping of a direct OPSL (although I have not heard of anyone creating such a beast as of yet, it could in theory give amazing efficiency for a green light source, the voltage would also be closer to 5v than 4v in that case).

The specs for their red (~638nm, 40w) and blue (~462nm, 24w) are much more vague other than that the red is also a 400um fiber and the blue is a bundle of 30x 150um fibers (which would strongly imply that the blue at least is just an array of ~1w 440-470nm diodes).

There is something fishy going on I would say though, they only have ~1000 lumens of blue light (I mean, even a casio projector has a significant fraction of that hidden within!)

The good news is that if it actually is a gigantic OPSL in 50 years when this technology finally goes out of date we can start working in our 100+w whitelight systems

[mixedgas]

[QUOTE=krazer;275114]Do you mean OPS (optically pumped semiconductor)?
Looking around on the site you gave the DSG265-LPW1 (~545nm, 20w into a 400um fiber) runs from 72A, 4v 'nominal' which sounds a lot like a NIR (800-900nm) diode pumping a frequency doubled OPSL, or possibly 445nm pumping of a direct OPSL (although I have not heard of anyone creating such a beast as of yet, it could in theory give amazing efficiency for a green light source, the voltage would also be closer to 5v than 4v in that case).

The specs for their red (~638nm, 40w) and blue (~462nm, 24w) are much more vague other than that the red is also a 400um fiber and the blue is a bundle of 30x 150um fibers (which would strongly imply that the blue at least is just an array of ~1w 440-470nm diodes).


End quote
A lot of their papers/patents show mixing of red from OPO by Simulated Raman Scattering shifting of pulses in a specialized fiber to reduce speckle by increasing bandwidth.. They actually WANT broadband red, blue and green. So nanosecond DPSS for Red / Green. Using Nd:YLF as the host crystal for green drops the wavelength down nicely, 523.5 nm instead of 532. YLF is expensive, but not that expensive, and works better in pulsed systems. They speak of 14 nm spectral shifts in their patent as well. So 532 + 14 = 546.

Never rule out a OPO for red/yellow, the nanosecond ones I service have awesome conversion rates in the red and yellow, and are wicked sources of 450 nm.

Some light reading:

https://www.google.com/patents/US201...ed=0CE0Q6AEwAw

Note to PLers, high rep rate pulsed laser sources are expensive, don't expect to see these techniques coming to a home based, galvo scanned projector any time soon.
A typical broadband OPO uses two BiBO crystals at about 3500$ each and is pumped by 355 nm.

There are lots of efficient pulsed laser mediums out there that can be diode pumped:
If CR:LiSaf were cheaper... We would have had awesome DPSS reds. But alas, there is little commercial use for it.

Steve

[JD3]

March 25, 2013
Food and Drug Administration
Division ofDockets Management (HFA-305)
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20857
ZDIJ MAR 21 P I: I b
Subject: Application for variance from the emissions limits defined under 21
CFR 1040.11(c) for demonstration products used for commercial purposes
in digital cinema.
To whom it may concern:
The information contained herein is in part or in whole proprietary to IMAX
Corporation to the extent that IMAX Corporation has products in
development to which this variance will be applicable if approved. The
information shall not be made public until such time that IMAX Corporation
has made a public announcement about these products. IMAX Corporation
pledges that it will inform the Food and Drug Administration when it makes
such announcement.
IMAX Corporation located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada hereby applies
for a variance from 1040.11(c) for the IMAX Corporation model family of
Commercial Class 4 Cinema Projection Systems. Because of the design
similarities with existing, non-laser illuminated projectors, IMAX
Corporation further requests that users not be required to obtain a variance to
operate these projectors in a commercial cinema environment. This
application provides the information specified in 21 CFR 101 0.4(b) and
follows the format of that regulation.
(i) A description of the product and its intended use.
IMAX Corporation intends to manufacture Class 3B and Class 4
Models of a Full Frame Laser Video Projection Systems designed
to be used in commercial cinemas. These projections systems
make use of a full frame optical engine that is similar in design
and operation to existing conventional full frame projections
systems. The projection system is used in a front screen
projection configuration and makes use of a projection lens to
produce a "full frame" object on the screen. The projection
systems will be marketed as new or replacement units in existing
theatres or for use at other commercial entertainment venues and
events where theatre video projection is required. The Imax
Video projector is designed to compete with existing projection
technologies substantially equivalent to Xenon arc lamps. With
the exception of using lasers as the projector light source the
design of the projection system is equivalent to existing
commercial projection systems that make use of image projection
optics to produce and image on the careen.
- Category: Laser Light Show/Display Device
- Product: Cinema Resolution Laser Video Projector
- Sub-product: Full Frame Image Projection Engine(not scanner
based)
- Applicable performance Standards 1010, 1040.10. and 1040.11
(ii) An explanation of how compliance with the applicable standard
would restrict or be inappropriate for this intended use.
The classification limits specified in part 1040.11(c) of the
standard for demonstration laser products would restrict the
specified product from performing its intended function. The
level of laser light needed to produce a large screen video image
consistent with current industry illumination levels (as produced
by xenon arc lamp systems) requires projection equipment to emit
Class 3B and Class 4 levels of laser light.
(iii) A description of the manner in which it is proposed to deviate
from the requirements of the applicable standard.
The models of products specified will have outputs that exceed the
limit specified in 21 CFR 1040.11(c). IEC Class 3B and Class 4
projectors exceed the classification limit specified for
demonstration laser products in 21 CFR 1040.11(c).
(iv) A description of the advantages to be derived from such
deviation.
The product specified would be able to perform as intended as a
video projection system. The manufacturer will be able to
compete in the cinema projector market place with existing
projection technologies. The result will provide an improved
experience for the consumer in terms of video color spectrum and
brilliance.
Laser illuminated projectors also offer many advantages over
lamp based systems. Some of these advantages include:
1) Lasers used as the illumination source in cinema projectors
can have lifetimes that can exceed the life of the projector.
Xenon arc lamps, which are currently used in cinema
projectors have a rated life time of approximately 500 hours
and cost approximately $1,000 per bulb. Lasers are also much
more energy efficient. Costs of operating and maintaining a
laser-illuminated projector are much lower than those
associated with a lamp based system.
2) During their lifetime the lasers will deliver a constant
brightness, color balance, and uniform illumination. Xenon
arc lamps, which are currently used, have shorter lifetimes and
lose color and brightness with age. This results in a consistent
experience for the audience.
3) Hazards associated with xenon arc lamps can include
explosion, ultraviolet emissions, and hazardous waste are not
present with lasers.
4) Optical radiation hazards associated with the light emissions
out of a projection lens generated by a laser illuminated
projector are for all practical purposes equivalent to any
hazards that might be present from a lamp illuminated system.
The theater industry has not recorded any incidences that have
demonstrated a health risk to the public.
(v) An explanation of how alternate or suitable means of radiation
protection will be provided.
1) The projection system will only make use of a full frame
optical engine. By function and design the optical hazards
associated with the operation of Laser Full Frame Image
Cinema Projectors are very much equivalent to the optical
hazards produced by other commercial non-laser cinema
projection systems. Due to the nature of video projection, full
frame image projection systems rely on similar projection
optics and light levels in order to produce images at similar
throw distances and screen sized. This is necessary regardless
of the light source used to project the image onto the screen.
Based on a long history of operation of commercial arc lamp
projection systems in the entertainment market, these light
levels have not been identified as a concern for public health.
These limits will only be exceeded in areas of the theatre not
accessible to the audience (an area above the audience to the
rear of the theatre where the image is projected from the
projection booth).
2) The high brightness levels in terms of radiance that are
normally associated with lasers do not emerge from the Full
Frame Cinema Projector's optical system. By the nature of the
product it uses optical components such as diffusers and
integrator bars. These components will alter the radiance and
projection angle of the laser source in such a manner that the
output radiance is similar to the radiance produced by
commercial projectors using other types of light sources.
Rather than being a small point source in the case of laser light
show projectors that utilize raster scanning of the beam, the
source is projected onto the screen as an extended source. This
will greatly reduce the hazard distance equivalent to that of
projectors that use non-laser light sources.
3) The projector in question does not incorporate a scanner to
produce the image so it does not rely on a scanning safeguard
to maintain safety. There are no failure modes that have been
identified that could result in a single beam of laser light being
directed out of the projection lens.
4) The cautions and instructions for safe set up, installation and
operation will be clearly detailed in the user information given
to the user by the projector manufacturer (IMAX
Corporation).
5) The inherent design requirements of the Projection System
produce a Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD) that is
substantially shorter that the NOHD of conventional laser light
show projection systems.
6) Adhering to the General Duty Clause of the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local state
requirements for IEC Class 3B and Class 4 laser products will
still be required by the laser user.
7) Existing cinema theater designs are currently set up in a
manner that users are not expected to obstruct the path of the
projected light within the NOHD. For all intents and purposes
the light within the NOHD is out or reach of the audience.
(vi) The period of time it is desired that the variance be in effect, and,
if appropriate, the number of units the applicant wishes to
manufacture.
IMAX Corporation requests that this variance be in effect for 5
years. The number of units produced will be based on demand
requirements over this period.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this request or the subject
product, please contact the undersigned to address those concerns.
Regards,
\}r-1~
John Kokoska, Senior Electrical Engineer
IMAX Corporation
2525 Speakman Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
L5K lBl
Canada
jkokoska@imax.com
905-403-6281

[JD3]

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documen...13-V-0381-0001

Link to PDF above