Mar 18 2008
Agilent Technologies Inc., a leader in precision optics, today announced availability of the Agilent RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit. Created for projection system designers, the RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit is based on Agilent complex monolithic optics (CMOs) designs. These allow the introduction of projection systems with reduced maintenance requirements, lowered overall cost of operation and a better viewing experience.
“The Agilent RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit is the first implementation of CMOs for projection systems,” said Bill Volk, Agilent general manager, Nano Positioning Metrology Division. “CMO architectures provide a highly flexible platform. They are customizable to meet specific system requirements for white light or discrete illumination sources, and for one to three image panels. Agilent sees the potential for a wide variety of applications in consumer, military and commercial markets ranging from pico-projection with cell phones to large-screen projection systems for movie theaters.”
Today, optical designs for next-generation projection systems are complex and require costly field service calls for alignment, cleaning and parts replacement that often cause downtime. Agilent’s RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit gives projection system engineers the ability to cost-effectively test new designs in the laboratory using CMO technology. Drop-in CMOs replace multiple optics, surfaces and mechanical structures.
CMO technology offers superior alignment throughout a product’s lifetime because the optics are bonded together into a single pre-aligned optical structure. As a result, they do not drift out of alignment due to vibration or fluctuations in ambient room temperature. This is a key factor in maintaining a clear, in-focus image. In addition, fewer open optical surfaces decrease environmental contamination that can cause on-screen interference, reducing cleaning and maintenance costs. Finally, the compact design of CMO-based architectures such as the RGB Laser Combiner reduces the size and weight of the overall system.
Agilent’s RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit may be used with DLP, LCOS or LCD image panels and features:
- compact (less than 170 in.3), lightweight design;
- robust monolithic assembly that ensures permanent factory alignment and eliminates environmental coating contamination;
- color coordinates that can be “white balanced” for image panel and screen optimization; and
- an output lens able to illuminate image panels up to 2.0 in. diagonal.
Agilent will showcase its new RGB Laser Combiner Developer’s Kit in Booth 329 at the SPIE Defense and Security Conference, March 18-20, 2008, at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.