PD-LD INC. Achieves Three-Fold Improvement in Enhancment of Holographic Glass for Projection Displays

FlexTech Alliance contract enabled project results to address critical industry need.

Pennington, NJ (PRWEB) September 11, 2008 -- The FlexTech Alliance (formerly known as the U.S. Display Consortium, or USDC), the only organization headquartered in North America devoted to developing the electronic display and the flexible, printed electronics supply chain, today announced completion of a program for improved laser illuminators for projection displays.

PD-LD Inc., through a $504,000 contract from the FlexTech Alliance, recently delivered sample Volume Bragg Grating® (VBG®) elements, which will allow for efficient and stable conversion of infrared light into visible light. Currently, laser illuminators need a high-efficiency output coupler to control light wavelength and bandwidth. Headquartered in Pennington, N.J., PD-LD is a collection of world-class optical experts, expertly suited to satisfy customer requirements.

PD-LD's approach to achieving higher efficiency was based on developing improved VBGs with higher transparency in the red, green and blue, coupled with higher reflectivity in the near infrared (NIR). This was accomplished by enhancing the quality of the glass used for production of VBG elements. The improved glass led to overall increased power of the laser illuminator.

"Before we could form the Bragg grating, a number of physical changes had to occur, such as a controlled nano-cluster formation of metallic silver growth of sodium fluoride on the clusters," revealed Dr. Boris Volodin, R&D director at PD-LD. The 3X improvement in holographic glasses makes them sufficient for the most demanding display applications. The unique VBG was originally developed by PD-LD in 2000.

"During the course of this project, PD-LD conducted extensive research into methods for improving the performance of holographic glasses," stated the FlexTech Alliance's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Mark Hartney. "The FlexTech Alliance's Technical Council is very pleased to see that improvements in the glass performance are possible, and that the material is ready to be replicated and produced in volume. PD-LD met the highest level set in the beginning of the project as a result of the significant improvements in the glass."

The FlexTech Alliance program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.

About the FlexTech Alliance:
The FlexTech Alliance is the only organization headquartered in North America exclusively devoted to fostering the growth, profitability and success of the electronic display and the flexible, printed electronics supply chain. Leveraging its rich history in promoting the display industry as the U.S. Display Consortium, the FlexTech Alliance offers expanded collaboration between and among industry, academia, and research organizations for advancing displays and flexible, printed electronics from R&D to commercialization. To this end, the FlexTech Alliance, based in San Jose, Calif., will help foster development of the supply chain required to support a world-class, manufacturing capability for displays and flexible, printed electronics. More information about the FlexTech Alliance can be found at the industry portal: www.flextech.org.

About PD-LD:
PD-LD, Inc., a photonic packaging company, headquartered in Pennington, N.J. is a U.S. manufacturer and assembler of pigtailed or receptacle mounted fiber coupled laser diodes, LED's, Detectors, high power pulsed lasers and bi-directional devices for the optical communications, test equipment and medical industries. Named one the fasted growing technology companies in N.J., PD-LD provides custom Volume Bragg Grating® (VBG®) elements and VBG stabilized lasers for a variety of applications including Raman Spectroscopy, High Power Lasers and Displays. For more information on PD-LD, visit www.pdld.com.

Contacts:
Kay Mascoli          
FlexTech Alliance                  
408-993-8111                                   
kay.mascoli @ flextech.org           

Marie Labrie
MCA
650-968-8900
mlabrie @ mcapr.com

Uri Abrams
PD-LD Inc.
609-564-7900
uabrams @ pd-ld.com

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