QPC Wins $12M Laser Contract

QPC Lasers Inc. announced today it has won a contract to develop its BrightLase semiconductor lasers for use in rear-projection televisions. The contract has an initial value of $12 million over the next three years, but could potentially be worth as much as $230 million over its 10-year term.

Under the new contract with an unnamed consumer electronics manufacturer, the company will develop its BrightLase lasers, which are used in the consumer, industrial, defense and medical markets, for use in rear-projection TVs based on DLP (digital light processing) and LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) technology.

"This contract marks the successful expansion of QPC's technology into the large and growing market for visible wavelength technology," said QPC cofounder and CEO Jeffrey Ungar, PhD. "Utilizing our high powered, compact, and cost-effective semiconductor laser technology, these rear-projection laser televisions will offer a dramatically improved viewing experience compared to other older and/or more expensive technologies available today such as those based on lamps, plasma, LCDs, and conventional cathode ray tubes. Consumers should enjoy substantially more vibrant, lifelike colors with the high resolution and wide viewing angles from a lightweight, less expensive, slimmer profile unit."

"Major consumer electronics manufacturers such as Sony Corp. and Mitsubishi have exhibited laser TV prototypes in the recent past, however, we are not aware of any laser TVs that are currently available for consumer purchase. We believe that QPC's laser technology should enable a more rapid ramp to production and availability to consumers," said Paul Rudy, PhD, QPC's senior vice president of marketing and sales.

Ungar said the development deal could lead to the laser's use in other display applications, such as tiny mobile projectors for cell phones, PDAs and laptops, along with displays for cars and cockpits. "QPC's compact and efficient laser design offers a replacement to the expensive, short lived, and inefficient UHP lamps that are common engines in conventional display technology. While LEDs have also been used for this application, we believe lasers offer higher brightness and improved energy efficiency. Alternative laser approaches based on conventional multistage lasers and lower power multiple beam diode lasers are also costly, inefficient, and difficult to manufacture in high volume," he said.

Under terms of the contract, QPC said it expects to receive initial development funds of up to $1.15 million over the next 90 days.

"We anticipate recognizing initial milestone revenues from this contract in the fourth quarter of this year, and expect deliveries under the $11 million purchase order to be spread out over the next three years," said George Lintz, QPC cofounder and CFO.

For more information, visit: www.qpclasers.com