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22 Dec 2006
Osram to develop RGB laser technologies, based on Coherent's designs, for consumer devices such as "laser TV" and mini-projectors.
Coherent has signed a licensing agreement with Osram to allow the use of Coherent's optically pumped semiconductor lasers in consumer laser-based projection displays.
The license allows Osram to develop and deploy red, green, and blue lasers using Coherent's intellectual property in consumer applications such as projection television and so called pocket projectors for hand-held devices.
The "intellectual property" Coherent is licensing to Osram involves the use of the Coherent's optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSL) technology. Coherent holds approximately thirteen patents surrounding this technology.
"Coherent has developed and shipped multi-watt RGB lasers and demonstrated laser projection television utilizing our OPS technology," said John Ambroseo, Coherent's President and CEO. "We believe Osram is an excellent technology partner with the resources and business model necessary to develop this technology for the next phase of the consumer display market."
Coherent says that the main hurdle to the adoption of laser technology for the consumer product market is cost. Therefore, licensing the technology to a high volume/low cost manufacturer, such as Osram, is necessary in order to achieve the economies of scale necessary to penetrate the consumer market. However Coherent will continue to be involved in high-value applications, such as flight and ship simulators and digital cinema projectors were cost is not as much of an issue.
• Osram is one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. Sales in the year ending September 30, 2006 totaled &euro4.6 nbsp;billion euros. This global player employs more than 40,000 people worldwide, supplies customers in approximately 150 countries and has 49 production facilities in 18 countries.
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