Speaker: Richard A. Flasck and Eric G. Rawson, Ph.D., RAF Electronics Corp
Title: 3M A New Look at X-Cube LCOS Projection Systems
Abstract: LCOS Projection optics for HDTV appears poised to become the next big thing in consumer electronics. However, the projection optics “engine” that has been widely assumed will be used for the initial market entry has recently been seen to be too expensive and complex to meet the required market price point for wide market acceptance. An earlier, low-cost optical engine concept, based on the X-Cube, has re-emerged, enabled by a new generation of ultra high performance thin-film stacks. In this presentation the authors will examine the new X-Cube approach and describe the technology advances that have been implemented to enable the use of an X-Cube-based LCOS projection engine.
Speaker Background: Dr. Rawson graduated in physics from the University of Toronto. He worked at Bell Labs where he developed 3-D displays, fiber optics, and designed photolithography optics. He was the first to publish GRIN rod fabrication by ion diffusion, and he coined the term “GRIN”. At Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) he invented methods for speckle control in rear projection systems and developed fiber optic LANs. He developed fiber star couplers with record numbers of ports and low power loss, and was awarded the Optical Society of America’s 1990 Engineering Excellence Award for this work. In 1995 Dr. Rawson founded Rawson Optics Inc. where he designs and prototypes optical systems. Dr. Rawson is the author of over 80 scientific journal reports and holds more than 30 US patents. He has served as Topical Editor for Fiber Optics for the Journal of the Optical Society of America (JOSA), and as a member of the OSA Engineering Committee. He edited the SPIE Milestone Series volume, Collected Reprints on Fiber Optic Local Area Networks, (SPIE, February 1994). Dr. Rawson is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA), a Fellow of the Society of Photo-Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
Location: Kaiser Electronics, 2701 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134 (Map)
Directions: Kaiser is very near the corner of North First and Trimble, in north San Jose. From 101, exit onto Trimble Ave., heading east. Turn left on Orchard Parkway. Note that there are four turns into Kaiser, and you want the northern-most one, into the North Side parking lot. The entrance to the Genesis Conference Room, which is next to the main north side entrance, will be open.
Post-Seminar Dinner: The seminar is free. Please join our speaker for dinner ($10-20) afterwards. Directions to the restaurant will be handed out at the seminar.