Abstract: A dual mode laser projection system having a film mode and an electronic mode that can be used to project an image onto a screen. In the film mode an image is projected by illuminating film with lasers, and in the electronic mode an image is created by modulation of with lasers with data to project an electronic image. The laser source may comprise a plurality of lasers each providing a different color, such as red, green, and blue. Laser-CRTs may be used. In some embodiments the laser source is synchronized with the film aperture so that the laser source is modulated to illuminate the film aperture only while a frame of the film is stopped. In some embodiments the color temperature of the light illuminating the film can be selected by increasing and/or decreasing the relative light intensity contribution of each of the lasers.

Abstract: A telecommunications switch system utilizes a laser cathode ray tube (Laser-CRT) including a faceplate having a plurality of laser pixels. A driver and control system control an electron beam to energize a selected laser pixel and thereby provide laser emission from the selected laser pixel. The laser emission from each pixel (an optical signal) is provided to an optical distribution system such as a plurality of optical fibers that directs the laser emission to one of a plurality of destinations. The faceplate can have multiple groups of laser pixels, each group providing a different wavelength. In some embodiments the Laser-CRT includes a plurality of electron guns. Some embodiments include an optical multiplexer that multiplexes a number of optical signals into a single optical fiber (N:1). Alternative switch configurations are disclosed, such as an optical-to-optical switch.

Abstract: A dual mode laser projection system having a film mode and an electronic mode that can be used to project an image onto a screen. In the film mode an image is projected by illuminating film with lasers, and in the electronic mode an image is created by modulation of with lasers with data to project an electronic image. The laser source may comprise a plurality of lasers each providing a different color, such as red, green, and blue. Laser-CRTs may be used. In some embodiments the laser source is synchronized with the film aperture so that the laser source is modulated to illuminate the film aperture only while a frame of the film is stopped. In some embodiments the color temperature of the light illuminating the film can be selected by increasing and/or decreasing the relative light intensity contribution of each of the lasers.

Abstract: A thorium-free low absorption coating for infrared CO.sub.2 laser optics comprises an interior BaF.sub.2 layer formed on a substrate and an exterior layer formed over the interior layer to a predetermined thickness sufficient to substantially prevent water adsorption by the interior layer. Generally, the predetermined thickness is greater than about 11000 .ANG., and in one embodiment of a two-layer low absorption coating designed for antireflection at 10.6 microns, the exterior layer has a physical thickness in a range between about 24600 .ANG. and 22800 .ANG., and preferably about 24000 .ANG.. In the preferred two-layer AR coating embodiment, the exterior layer defines a cover layer and an absentee layer, and the interior layer is relatively thin. The preferred exterior layer and the preferred substrate consist essentially of ZnSe. Multilayer stacked coatings of more than two layer can also be formed to provide low absorption partially reflective or totally reflective coatings as well as AR coatings.