Scanned display systems using color laser light sources

• US 6,879,306 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Kahen, Keith B., Lebens, John A., Spoonhower, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prizio, Jr., Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/137,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 372/40, 372 43- 50, 372 70- 72, 372/99, 438 22- 47, 345/87, 345/44, 345/84, 348/744
• US Class Current: 345/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

A display system for providing a user viewable visible color image includes a display for receiving color laser light so that the display, in response to color laser light, produces a viewable visible colored image; a plurality of different color laser light sources arranged in an array with each such laser light source including: a first dielectric stack for receiving and transmitting pump-beam light and being reflective to laser light over a predetermined range of wavelengths; an organic active region for receiving transmitted pump-beam light from the first dielectric stack; and a second dielectric stack for reflecting transmitted pump-beam light and laser light from the organic active region back into the organic active region. The display system projects color laser light from the array onto the display in a pattern to cause a visual image to be produced by the display.

Claims

1. A display system for providing a user viewable visible color image, comprising:

a) a display for receiving color laser light and having a diffusing element so that the display, in response to color laser light, produces a viewable visible colored image;

b) a plurality of different color laser light sources arranged in an array with each such laser light source including a vertical cavity design having;

i) a first dielectric stack for receiving and transmitting pump-beam light and being reflective to laser light over a predetermined range of wavelengths;

ii) an organic active region for receiving transmitted pump-beam light from the first dielectric stack; and

iii) a second dielectric stack for reflecting transmitted pump-beam light and laser light from the organic active region back into the organic active region, wherein a combination of the first and second dielectric stacks and the organic active region produces the laser light;

c) an incoherent light source for directing light into the organic active region which in response to such incoherent light produces colored laser light; and

d) means for projecting color laser light from the array onto the display in a pattern to cause a visual image to be produced by the display;

wherein each vertical cavity laser array further includes an etched region in the first dielectric stack to provide an array of spaced laser pixels which have higher reflectance than the interpixel regions.

2. The display system of claim 1 wherein the projecting means includes a moveable mirror which illuminates the display a line at a time with colored light pixels produced by the different light sources.

3. The display system of claim 2 wherein the moveable mirror is mounted on a polygon.

4. The display system of claim 1 wherein the array of different color laser light sources includes a plurality of pixels wherein each pixel is defined by three laser light sources respectively producing red, green, and blue light.

5. The display system of claim 1 wherein the array includes three separate linear arrays, each producing a different color with each array having a plurality of laser light sources producing the same color.

6. The display system of claim 1 further including a waveguide structure for receiving projected color light and directing it onto the display.

7. The display system of claim 1 wherein the display includes a view screen which permits a user to view the image.

8. The display system of claim 1 wherein the organic active region includes one or more periodic gain regions and organic spacer layers disposed on either side of the periodic gain regions and arranged so that the periodic gain regions are aligned with the antinodes of the light source'"'"'s standing wave electromagnetic field.