PORTSMOUTH, N.H. March 25 -- The Corporation for Laser Optics Research (COLOR) says that it has set a world record by projecting seven watts of blue light from a lamp-pumped laser. This is a very significant breakthrough, said Dr. Stephen Benton, a professor at the MIT Media Lab and a member of COLOR's Board of Directors.
COLOR increased the power by improving the conversion process used within the ColorVision projector to convert infrared laser light into blue light (446 nm). The conversion process is derived from COLOR's patented use of RGB pulsed lasers in video projection, which is more efficient in increasing the brightness level of transmitted video images than light bulb-based technologies. Its success will produce vivid images and speed the deployment of lasers in applications ranging from home theaters to electronic cinemas.