Ernst Fischer

Bio: Ernst Fischer is an academic researcher from Philips. The author has contributed to research in topics: Gas-discharge lamp & Projection (set theory). The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 18 publications receiving 235 citations.

UHP lamp systems for projection applications

Abstract: Projection systems have found widespread use in conference rooms and other professional applications during the last decade and are now entering the home TV market at a considerable pace. Projectors as small as about one litre are able to deliver several thousand screen lumens and are, with a system efficacy of over 10 lm W −1 , the most efficient display systems realized today. Short arc lamps are a key component for projection systems of the highest efficiency for small-size projection displays. The introduction of the ultra high performance (UHP) lamp system by Philips in 1995 can be identified as one of the key enablers of the commercial success of projection systems. The UHP lamp concept features outstanding arc luminance, a well suited spectrum, long life and excellent lumen maintenance. For the first time it combines a very high pressure mercury discharge lamp with extremely short and stable arc gap with a regenerative chemical cycle keeping the discharge walls free from blackening, leading to lifetimes of over 10 000 h. Since the introduction of the UHP lamp system, many important new technology improvements have been realized: burner designs for higher lamp power, advanced ignition systems, miniaturized electronic drivers and innovative reflector concepts. These achievements enabled the impressive increase of projector light output, a remarkable reduction in projector size and even higher optical efficiency in projection systems during the last years. In this paper the concept of the UHP lamp system is described, followed by a discussion of the technological evolution the UHP lamp has undergone so far. Last, but not least, the important improvements of the UHP lamp system including the electronic driver and the reflector are discussed. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

Method of and device for operating a gas discharge lamp

Abstract: A method of and a device for operating a gas discharge lamp which is fed with an alternating voltage or an alternating current and wherein the instantaneous power of the lamp is increased at given time intervals are used to form the electrodes. The value of an operational datum of the lamp which varies in time is continuously or discontinuously measured and the frequency of the alternating voltage or the alternating current (operating frequency) is selected in dependence on the measured values.

Optimised Light Sources for Projection Displays

Abstract: The fast developments in projection display technology require a corresponding development of short arc lamps. Arc length and high luminance determine light collection rather than lamp power. The new UHP lamps combine highest brightness, extremely long life and system compactness.

52.1: Invited Paper: New Developments in Projection Light Sources—Shorter Arcs and Miniaturisation

Abstract: New developments of UHP lamps with higher power and shorter arcs (even below 1mm) fulfill the optical demands of future projectors and novel displays. In addition a new technology is presented which leads to a reduction of the lamp ignition voltage from 20kV to 5kV. This enables a further step in system size reduction.

9.1: Arc Stabilisation for Short Arc Projection Lamps

Abstract: UHP-lamps are standard for high efficient projection systems. All short arc lamps show arc instabilities. Optical integrators can successfully suppress visual effects but they are of limited use for small displays. A new technology is presented here which stabilises the lamp arc directly and keeps the good maintenance of the lamp.

Status and Future of High-Power Light-Emitting Diodes for Solid-State Lighting

Abstract: Status and future outlook of III-V compound semiconductor visible-spectrum light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are presented. Light extraction techniques are reviewed and extraction efficiencies are quantified in the 60%+ (AlGaInP) and ~80% (InGaN) regimes for state-of-the-art devices. The phosphor-based white LED concept is reviewed and recent performance discussed, showing that high-power white LEDs now approach the 100-lm/W regime. Devices employing multiple phosphors for "warm" white color temperatures (~3000-4000 K) and high color rendering (CRI>80), which provide properties critical for many illumination applications, are discussed. Recent developments in chip design, packaging, and high current performance lead to very high luminance devices (~50 Mcd/m2 white at 1 A forward current in 1times1 mm2 chip) that are suitable for application to automotive forward lighting. A prognosis for future LED performance levels is considered given further improvements in internal quantum efficiency, which to date lag achievements in light extraction efficiency for InGaN LEDs

Optical method and apparatus for inspecting large area planar objects

Abstract: An optical inspection module is provided for detecting defects on a substrate having first and second opposite planar surfaces. The module includes a substrate holding position and first and second measurement instruments. The first instrument includes a first illumination path extending to the substrate holding position and having a grazing angle of incidence with the first surface, which illuminates substantially the entire first surface. A first optical element is oriented to collect non-specularly reflected light scattered by the first surface. A first photodetector has a plurality of pixels positioned within a focal plane of the first lens, which together form a field of view that covers substantially the entire first surface. The second instrument includes a sensor oriented for sensing a physical characteristic of the second surface when the substrate is held in the substrate holding position and the first surface is being illuminated.

Color Imaging: Fundamentals and Applications

Abstract: This book provides the reader with an understanding of what color is, where color comes from, and how color can be used correctly in many different applications. The authors first treat the physics of light and its interaction with matter at the atomic level, so that the origins of color can be appreciated. The intimate relationship between energy levels, orbital states, and electromagnetic waves helps to explain why diamonds shimmer, rubies are red, and the feathers of the Blue Jay are blue. Then, color theory is explained from its origin to the current state of the art, including image capture and display as well as the practical use of color in disciplines such as computer graphics, computer vision, photography, and film.

Visual Function in Mice with Photoreceptor Degeneration and Transgenic Expression of Channelrhodopsin 2 in Ganglion Cells

Abstract: The progression of rod and cone degeneration in retinally degenerate (rd) mice ultimately results in a complete loss of photoreceptors and blindness. The inner retinal neurons survive and several recent studies using genetically targeted, light activated channels have made these neurons intrinsically light sensitive. We crossbred a transgenic mouse line expressing channelrhodopsin2 (ChR2) under the control of the Thy1 promoter with the Pde6b(rd1) mouse, a model for retinal degeneration (rd1/rd1). Approximately 30-40% of the ganglion cells of the offspring expressed ChR2. Extracellular recordings from ChR2-expressing ganglion cells in degenerated retinas revealed their intrinsic light sensitivity which was approximately 7 log U less sensitive than the scotopic threshold and approximately 2 log U less sensitive than photopic responses of normal mice. All ChR2-expressing ganglion cells were excited at light ON. The visual performance of rd1/rd1 mice and ChR2 rd1/rd1 mice was compared. Behavioral tests showed that both mouse strains had a pupil light reflex and they were able to discriminate light fields from dark fields in the visual water task. Cortical activity maps were recorded with optical imaging. The ChR2rd1/rd1 mice did not show a better visual performance than rd1/rd1 mice. In both strains the residual vision was correlated with the density of cones surviving in the peripheral retina. The expression of ChR2 under the control of the Thy1 promoter in retinal ganglion cells does not rescue vision.

The cosmic X-ray background

Abstract: As the sky in the microwave band is dominated by a cosmic background, so too is the X-ray sky. In this report, the experimental approach used for measuring the X-ray background is explained and evaluated. The Compton-Getting interpretation of the dipole anisotropy in the microwave background is presented as a diagnostic of the weak asymmetry exhibited by the cosmic X-ray background. Spectral characteristics and spatial fluctuations of this X-ray background are described and then discussed within the context of what is known about individual extragalactic sources. It is concluded that the bulk of the cosmic X-ray background is yet to be understood. The critical apparatus of modern cosmology is reviewed and applied to this problem, providing constraints and indicating possible avenues for achieving a solution. The outlook for obtaining the new data called for is examined in terms of experiments now in preparation.