Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes though the prism, wherein the color splitting-converging prism includes a dichroic coating having multiple layers of high and low index of refraction and ¼ wavelength thickness at each desired angle of incidence for reducing dichroic shift and thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes though the prism, wherein a dust-sealed airspace is provided between an imaging surface of each light valve and the prism for providing air channels to cool respective ones of the light valves.

Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes though the prism, wherein the color splitting-converging prism includes a dichroic coating having multiple layers of high and low index of refraction and ¼ wavelength thickness at each desired angle of incidence for reducing dichroic shift and thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes through the prism, wherein a dust-sealed airspace is provided between an imaging surface of each light valve and the prism for providing air channels to cool respective ones of the light valves.

Abstract: A high performance compound reflector and cooling system for use with a projection system having a lamp for emitting light, an ellipsoid reflector for capturing said light from a first focal point of the ellipsoid reflector and focusing said light at a second focal point co-incident with an integrator rod, and a spherical reflector for retro-reflecting light through the first focal point for reflection by said ellipsoid retractor to said second focal point. The shape of the ellipsoid reflector according to the present invention allows the spherical element to have a larger diameter at the interface between the ellipsoid and sphere. This provides a location for an air deflector in a shape similar to the back of the ellipsoid for channeling air over and outside of the ellipsoid and than along tho inside of the sphere. The design of the reflector and air deflector allow cooling requirements to be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for using a laser to weld a plastic substrate material to an adjacent material, such as a synthetic carpet panel. The materials are placed in contact with oppositely directed major surfaces, so as to provide an interface therebetween. The material closest to the laser is transparent to a wavelength of the laser beam, so that the impinging laser beam can be focused at a focal region on the interface. The other material adjacent to the interface is absorbent to the wavelength, so that heating of the other material by the laser beam causes a pattern of a plurality of melt zones to be formed, each melt zone consisting of portions of each of the materials. Subsequent cooling of the melt zones causes the adjacent materials to become welded together. Additives are combined with the materials to modify their transmission and absorption characteristics with respect to visible light and laser wavelengths.