Dec 16 2009
Prismatic Magic, LLC, today introduced Laser-3D, the world's first 3-D laser projection system on the eve of the 50th anniversary (in 2010) of the invention of the laser. Laser-3D combines the vibrant, scintillating colors of traditional laser-light shows with full-color, stereoscopic 3-D technology. Laser-3D marks the latest technical milestone in Prismatic Magic's effort to enhance laser projection technology for novel applications in entertainment and academic settings.
"Laser-3D is unique in that it fuses two of the most popular concepts in the public consciousness, 'lasers' and '3-D', into a single, dazzling visualization medium," said Christopher Volpe, Ph.D., Prismatic Magic's president. "And we believe that Laser-3D is an important step towards the holy grail of projection technology - free-floating, holographic objects."
Prismatic Magic's Laser-3D is an extension of 3-D technology developed by Infitec GmbH, the same high-quality 3-D system used by Dolby 3-D Digital Cinema(TM). "We designed Laser-3D around Infitec's 3-D format because, in comparison to other stereoscopic formats, it clearly results in the most realistic 3-D effect." said Dr. Volpe. "It also is the most versatile."
Laser-3D works by generating left and right duplicate images that are slightly offset from one another. Each image is projected by its own dedicated red, green, and blue (RGB) laser subsystem. The laser wavelengths of each subsystem are tuned 10-30 nanometers from one another in order to match the optical transmission of Infitec's reusable 3-D glasses. By allowing each eye to see only one RGB image, the 3-D glasses create a stereoscopic parallax, which is interpreted by the wearer as a full-color, 3-D laser image.
"Prismatic Magic's experience with laser projection and our experience in 3-D complement one another in an ideal way to form a new and unique product," said Helmut Jorke, the founder and CEO of Infitec.
Laser-3D is projected onto any lightly-colored, smooth surface. No special screen is required. The system is compact and portable allowing transport and projection indoors and outdoors.
Eight complete 40-minute 3-D programs are expected to be initially available, with additional content created on an ongoing basis. Laser-3D systems are expected to be commercially available early 2010.