What is a digital Laser ?

[BruceLavender]

Hi All,
there is a guy here in South Africa claiming he has invented the worlds first digital laser. Can anybody elaborate ?

[The_Doctor]

Not without a tad bit more context. Not that I can explain anyway, probably. I could try but I'm hours overdue for sleep, you'll have got a better answer than I know before I wake.

[Humphry]

It's all over the newspapers here in South Africa.
I could be totally wrong but kind of gather it's using a DLP-type mirror (or similar device) instead of a conventional mirror to affect the beam size and shape. Doesn't sound very exciting so I'm sure there must me much more to it.

[dsli_jon]

...there is a guy here in South Africa claiming he has invented... Can anybody elaborate ?

Umm... color-me wrong, but.. isn't this a question for the South African-inventor?

..jus' sayin'...
j

[Humphry]

Just as I suspected:

Laser devices traditionally consist of mirrors, light and a casing containing a material such as crystal or glass. The material changes the frequency of the light to create a laser beam.

In conventional lasers, the shape of the beam is either left uncontrolled or is forced into a specific shape using costly optics. For example, surgical lasers are used for precision cutting.

The digital laser uses a “spatial light modulator” — it has a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can be “digitally addressed” with grayscale images that alter the beam.

[Galvonaut]

Just as I suspected:
The digital laser uses a “spatial light modulator” — it has a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can be “digitally addressed” with grayscale images that alter the beam.

I wonder why these are different to standard projectors which die when a laser hits them? It would be handy to have the same technology in all projectors at events.

[The_Doctor]

I wonder why these are different to standard projectors which die when a laser hits them? It would be handy to have the same technology in all projectors at events.

My guess is this is a low power device for small handheld devices to point safely at nearby walls for a big screen. MEMS types will be similar in intent, more expensive, and stand high power. And might be seriously interesting...

[Galvonaut]

Thanks Doc. Yes, I imagine you could do some crazy stuff with them.

[KalleP]

It is intended for beam profile changing, not for projection per-se.

The holographic image on the LCD is between the laser mirrors and changes the beam modes or shape.

Restricted to low power IR applications but there is future for growth.

MEMS units will no doubt be attempted for higher powers.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/art...ica-2013-09-17

Kalle
--
Johannesburg, South Africa

[The_Doctor]

Ok, wasn't expecting that.. The LCD is the output coupler! That IS different...