South African Research Team Creates World's First Digital Laser

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South African Research Team Creates World's First Digital Laser

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday September 18, 2013 @11:11AM from the better-focus dept.

smi.james.th writes in with news about new laser technology developed in South Africa. "The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced in Pretoria on Tuesday that it had developed the world's first digital laser. 'I am always very cautious about using the term "breakthrough",' noted Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom. 'We scrutinized this very carefully before we said that this is really new! South African scientists are once again making noteworthy contributions to the world.'... A normal laser contains two mirrors, opposed to each other and at opposite ends of the instrument. One is highly reflective and the other is a curved, partially reflective mirror. In the digital laser, the curved mirror is replaced by a liquid crystal display (LCD) system. The LCD is connected to a computer and monitor."

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Important part the summary neglected by mcgrew · 2013-09-18 11:12 · Score: 5, Informative

Researchers use the computer to specify the laser beam shape they require and to programme it into the LCD. By this means, one laser can swiftly produce many different beam shapes. Previously, changing the shape of a laser beam required physically replacing the curved mirror in the laser. As the mirror has to be carefully aligned, this is a time consuming process.

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Free Martian Whores!
1. Re:Important part the summary neglected by mcgrew · 2013-09-18 11:14 · Score: 2
  
  Oops, I forgot the blockquotes. That was from TFA (not a good FA IMO)
  
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  Free Martian Whores!
2. Re:Important part the summary neglected by hedwards · 2013-09-18 11:19 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I fail to see how that's digital, but it's a cool advancement none the less. The beam itself is still just a laser beam.
3. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:23 · Score: 0, Funny
  
  Nonsense, /.summaries are the epitome of good journalism. Another glorious day on slashdot! A day on slashdot is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Man, I love slashdot!
4. Re:Important part the summary neglected by girlintraining · 2013-09-18 11:25 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  As the mirror has to be carefully aligned, this is a time consuming process.
  This has already been partially solved using nano mirrors -- basically the rear reflector is a pile of mirrors that each have independent servos. It's nano tech. Like I said... early stages.
  
  --
  #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
5. Re:Important part the summary neglected by ackthpt · 2013-09-18 11:43 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Researchers use the computer to specify the laser beam shape they require and to programme it into the LCD. By this means, one laser can swiftly produce many different beam shapes. Previously, changing the shape of a laser beam required physically replacing the curved mirror in the laser. As the mirror has to be carefully aligned, this is a time consuming process.
  This will be of immense benefit to mankind.
  Once I fit one of these in the back of my car it will spell out messages for drivers following me to read; e.g. Your Turn Signal Has Been On For The Past 3 Miles.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
6. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Osgeld · 2013-09-18 12:09 · Score: 1
  
  Thank you, note to slashdot, you could replace the 2nd and 3rd sentence in your pretty much worthless summary with the ones provided above and turned it into something that had a fucking point.
7. Re:Important part the summary neglected by TechyImmigrant · 2013-09-18 12:18 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Maybe it has fingers.
  
  --
  I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
8. Re:Important part the summary neglected by The+Grim+Reefer · 2013-09-18 12:25 · Score: 0
  
  Maybe it has fingers.
  I believe that would be "a finger". It's digital after all. It's either flipping you the bird, or it's not. If it had fingers, it would be analog. ;-)
9. Re:Important part the summary neglected by citizenr · 2013-09-18 12:28 · Score: 1
  
  Previously, changing the shape of a laser beam required physically replacing the curved mirror in the laser. As the mirror has to be carefully aligned, this is a time consuming process.
  But picking crystal for your lightsabe^^^laser is a rite of passage!
  
  --
  Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
10. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Lumpy · 2013-09-18 12:33 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Exactly, I believe the TI DLP system has been in use for this for quite a while. Last time I went looking they had DLP chip in the lab that was able to handle almost 15 watts of laser power without a problem. http://focus.ti.com/pdfs/dlpdmd/Using_Lasers_with_DLP(r)_Technology.pdf for one of their earlier papers on this.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
11. Re:Important part the summary neglected by msauve · 2013-09-18 12:36 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks for that. This seems to be a "digital LASER" only in relation to a very specific quality. It is certainly not the "world's first digital LASER." There are millions of LASERs which operate digitally already in common use - many (most?) Ethernet fiber optic transceivers use LASERs which are digitally modulated.
  
  (much 1000base is LASER, AFAIK all 10Gbase is LASER)
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
12. Re:Important part the summary neglected by PopeRatzo · 2013-09-18 13:05 · Score: 2
  
  Once I fit one of these in the back of my car it will spell out messages for drivers following me to read; e.g. Your Turn Signal Has Been On For The Past 3 Miles.
  "Spell out messages"? Hell, I want one that will vaporize the guy that's been tailgating me since the St Louis turnoff.
  
  --
  You are welcome on my lawn.
13. Re:Important part the summary neglected by ajlitt · 2013-09-18 14:16 · Score: 1
  
  Can it write "CHA"?
14. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 14:22 · Score: 0, Troll
  
  Wow, hate to be lame-joke-explainer:
  Digit is latin for finger.
  And you're an idiot.
  No, it's not latin for "you're an idiot", you are just an idiot.
15. Re: Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 14:55 · Score: 0
  
  They probably wouldn't be tailgating you if you would get out of the left lane...since that's the passing lane...
16. Re: Important part the summary neglected by PopeRatzo · 2013-09-18 15:02 · Score: 1
  
  get out of the left lane...since that's the passing lane...
  Since when? I thought I'm supposed to drive over there when I've had more than 3 drinks.
  And less than 5, of course. I'm not a drunk or anything.
  
  --
  You are welcome on my lawn.
17. Re:Important part the summary neglected by mcgrew · 2013-09-18 15:15 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I fail to see how that's digital
  An English major wrote it. It uses a computer-controlled LCD instead of a curved mirror. There are benefits, TFA isn't very good at explaining them because the guy who wrote the article either didn't understand the concepts or really sucks at communicating them. You really have to look hard through the overabundance of redundant marketspeak verbiage to grok it.
  
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  Free Martian Whores!
18. Re:Important part the summary neglected by mcgrew · 2013-09-18 15:18 · Score: 1
  
  Their lasers aren't that powerful yet and anyway, they only do infrared so far so good luck reading the messages.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
19. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Em+Adespoton · 2013-09-18 17:10 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I fail to see how that's digital
  An English major wrote it. It uses a computer-controlled LCD instead of a curved mirror. There are benefits, TFA isn't very good at explaining them because the guy who wrote the article either didn't understand the concepts or really sucks at communicating them. You really have to look hard through the overabundance of redundant marketspeak verbiage to grok it.
  I doubt an English major wrote it -- it looks an awful lot like a Communications major wrote it; an English major wouldn't use an overabundance of redundant marketspeak, but would instead make all sorts of obscure references in fairly terse but accurate English.
20. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Em+Adespoton · 2013-09-18 17:11 · Score: 1
  
  Researchers use the computer to specify the laser beam shape they require and to programme it into the LCD. By this means, one laser can swiftly produce many different beam shapes. Previously, changing the shape of a laser beam required physically replacing the curved mirror in the laser. As the mirror has to be carefully aligned, this is a time consuming process.
  This will be of immense benefit to mankind.
  Once I fit one of these in the back of my car it will spell out messages for drivers following me to read; e.g. Your Turn Signal Has Been On For The Past 3 Miles.
  And here I thought you were going to say "Once I fit one of these on the back of my shark...."
21. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 18:34 · Score: 0
  
  No need to start calling others idiots, just because they don't get a latin joke. He wasn't hostile, why are you?
22. Re:Important part the summary neglected by lxs · 2013-09-18 18:37 · Score: 1
  
  Illegitimi non carborundum!
23. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 19:05 · Score: 0
  
  "May be it's made of chocolate?" - Nick, (C)L4D2
24. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 20:08 · Score: 0
  
  I doubt an English major wrote it
  Mebbe a journo wrote it, and not any rank of soldier?
25. Re: Important part the summary neglected by mattpalmer1086 · 2013-09-18 20:13 · Score: 1
  
  You rat!
26. Re:Important part the summary neglected by jones_supa · 2013-09-18 20:41 · Score: 1
  
  I fail to see how that's digital, but it's a cool advancement none the less. The beam itself is still just a laser beam.
  There's a lot of misuse of the word "digital". It ultimately just means something which comes in quantified pieces. Not necessarily even electronic or computerized. It is a cool word for marketing though...
27. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 20:49 · Score: 1
  
  If it had all the fingers, it would be manual, not digital.
28. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 23:20 · Score: 0
  
  It's a huge advancement in Cat Toy Technology! lmao
29. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · 2013-09-19 00:10 · Score: 1
  
  Ooooh I gotta patent inverting the image so people can read it in their mirrors.
  
  --
  (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
30. Re:Important part the summary neglected by khundeck · 2013-09-19 00:29 · Score: 1
  
  I fail to see how that's digital ...
  Well you said it not me. :-) ["fail"] It's pretty obvious FTA. Maybe you're subtly suggesting that lasers have always been digital??? I don't know enough about it.
  FTA: A 'laser beam' apparently has a few components. The "analogue" way - two mirrors on each end of the device. The "digital" way - replace the one curved mirror with an LCD THAT HOOKS UP TO A COMPUTER. The computer controls the LCD (orientation of the liquid crystals) and ultimately affects the laser shape. I'm amazed that they can use an LCD instead of the mirror..
  KPH
  PS: FRIGGIN' DIGITAL LAZZZZZERS!?!?!!
31. Re: Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 00:51 · Score: 0
  
  The left lane IS the slow lane you insensitive clod! =P
  [I live in a Left-hand drive country]
32. Re:Important part the summary neglected by hedwards · 2013-09-19 02:30 · Score: 1
  
  My parents can hook their record player up to a computer, does that mean that the record player is digital?
  The fact is that the laser is just a laser, they've added some cool technology to it, but it's still the same laser that it always was. Using digital controls doesn't make for a digital laser, there've been digital controls for years.
33. Re:Important part the summary neglected by LoRdTAW · 2013-09-19 03:29 · Score: 2
  
  I would assume YMMV but the rear mirrors in industrial lasers are quite easy to tune. I work at a laser welding shop where we use lamp pumped pulsed Nd:YAG lasers. Rear mirror alignment is done manually using two screws and takes about 20-30 minutes thanks to the built in tuning meter. You set a pulse rate and width (eg 20Hz, each pulse 2ms long) and watch the power meter. You start with a number that gives you 10 watts and then tune until you can't get the power any higher(you now might have 15W. Then you do 50W, 100W ,150W etc. until you hit the lasers power limit (500W for our machines) and your done. I did this twice when we configure a workstation and added a new laser. This is for our three Lumonics JK lasers. The ancient Raytheon is a bit different and is tuned by a service tech and the Trumpf we have is rock solid and never touched though has the worlds most shitty configuration software.
34. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 03:57 · Score: 0
  
  My parents can hook their record player up to a computer, does that mean that the record player is digital? The fact is that the laser is just a laser, they've added some cool technology to it, but it's still the same laser that it always was. Using digital controls doesn't make for a digital laser, there've been digital controls for years.
  When I listen to music the sound comes out of an analog speaker. Does that mean a CD is analog? Same thing here. Of course the laser isn't digital, digital is an abstraction and doesn't exist in the real world. It only exists in Plato's immaterial universe of forms.
35. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 04:35 · Score: 0
  
  SPOON!
36. Re:Important part the summary neglected by TechyImmigrant · 2013-09-19 04:49 · Score: 1
  
  KitKat's can lase?
  
  --
  I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
37. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 05:05 · Score: 0
  
  Depends on what you are using the laser for and what wavelength it is. A solidly built, industrial Nd:YAG laser would be on the easier end. If you are using a Nd:YAG in a research situation where you are pushing the power to the limits of your equipment, several issues pop up (e.g. ASE) that can be dealt with by careful tuning. Something like mode locking lasers can be a lot messier, although I only have second hand experience for that via the cursing of coworkers. Something like discussed in the article could be useful for when trying to pick out or switch between different modes in a single oscillator, which would probably take a lot more tuning that just keeping a system tuned up.
38. Re:Important part the summary neglected by hedwards · 2013-09-19 07:04 · Score: 1
  
  The point I was making is that this is still the same laser as ever, the fact that they've added nifty controls to it, doesn't change the fact that it's still the same laser as before. They've just added more options and increased the flexibility.
39. Re:Important part the summary neglected by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 07:23 · Score: 0
  
  Or you could just screw on one of those little brass things to the end of the laser pointer... I have one that makes stars and circles.
Half as effective by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:16 · Score: 4, Funny

Unfortunately it's half as effective.
See, the 1s have sharp edges and really abrade the material, but the 0s just roll right off.
1. Re:Half as effective by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:34 · Score: 0
  
  Unfortunately it's half as effective.
  See, the 1s have sharp edges and really abrade the material, but the 0s just roll right off.
  Once you strap it on the back of a shark, none of that matters.
2. Re:Half as effective by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 15:22 · Score: 0
  
  Good point! "Criminal activities." What are your *criminal activities*? Because that's why you're here! You've got your own criminal activities that you want to hide. That's all you're here for, to HIDE your OWN crimes.
3. Re:Half as effective by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 03:16 · Score: 0
  
  Yes but in the right circumstances the increased mass of the 0s helps to smash things down. More general purpose but less useful. Perhaps they'll come out with one that has a 0/1 switch?
All we need now by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:18 · Score: 3, Funny

Is digital sharks
Patent troll by tepples · 2013-09-18 11:36 · Score: 1

I was under the impression that nonpracticing entities specializing in asserting broad patents of questionable quality had the "sharks" part covered.
Mounted on a Shark yet? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:47 · Score: 0

When do we see the shark mounted version?
Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Ungrounded+Lightning · 2013-09-18 11:50 · Score: 4, Informative

My impression is that, because the mirror is "replaced" with the LCD, the LCD is inside the cavity, with each pixel modulating either the Q or the polarization of a particular chunk of the cross-section of the cavity. This amounts to adjusting the gain of the various modes of the cavity and thus switching which one(s) oscillate and consume the energy from the amplifier in the cavity.
Though the modes that are selected would not be mapped one-to-one onto the pixels, , you can control a lot of modes with the ciquid crystal display - probably all of them available, or up to the number of pixels in the liquid crystal device.
You can also switch them as fast as the liquid crystal switches. With modern drivers (which remember the previous state of the liquid crystal in each pixel and temporarily overdrive those that must change more in order to switch them rapidly, rather than just letting them settle passively into the new state) you can switch it at 60 Hz or better.
You might use holographic techniques to change the angle of the beam, or emit a number of beams of various intensities in various directions. Result: Scanning and image formation without moving parts (other than the molecules in the display).
I think the computation to turn it into a (one-color) projector would be pretty much a straight 2-D FFT times a nonliinear tweak to deal with energy-stealing among modes.
I'd like to see versions of this with array-of-Kerr-cells in place of the liquid crystal device (for more rapid modulation, at the cost of high voltage drivers), or digital light processors for the mirrors (though the latter are more on/off than continuously adjustable so they might be more limited on what beams they can form).

--
Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
1. Re: Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 12:17 · Score: 0
  
  This is over my head.
  How many football fields that?
2. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Sarten-X · 2013-09-18 12:23 · Score: 1
  
  I think the computation to turn it into a (one-color) projector would be pretty much a straight 2-D FFT times a nonliinear tweak to deal with energy-stealing among modes.
  And that means a full-color high-quality laser projector is just over 3x as expensive, but still feasible. I, for one, am excited.
  
  --
  You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
3. Re: Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Lumpy · 2013-09-18 12:34 · Score: 2
  
  About 6, but only if you dont have quantum entanglement.
  
  --
  Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
4. Re: Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 12:39 · Score: 0
  
  This is over my head.
  How many football fields that?
  Twice as many as will fit in a double decker bus.
5. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by camperdave · 2013-09-18 12:52 · Score: 1
  
  To run "holographic" displays, don't you need to be able to control the liquid crystal shutter down to at least the wavelength of the light being controlled? After all, a hologram is merely an interference pattern, and the interference pattern would be on that scale. I may be out of the loop, but I don't think we have nano-scale liquid crystal tech yet.
  
  --
  When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
6. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by goombah99 · 2013-09-18 13:57 · Score: 1
  
  I'd like to see versions of this with array-of-Kerr-cells in place of the liquid crystal device (for more rapid modulation, at the cost of high voltage drivers), or digital light processors for the mirrors (though the latter are more on/off than continuously adjustable so they might be more limited on what beams they can form).
  your wish is my command:
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18319825
  
  --
  Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
7. Re: Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 14:19 · Score: 0
  
  One -- the size of Rhode Island.
8. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by mcgrew · 2013-09-18 15:25 · Score: 1
  
  Don't get too excited yet, so far it can only do infrared. What surprised me was that pixel density on LCDs was so good. We could have digital holograms right now using good old fashioned 1970s mirrored lasers in the displays.
  I don't know why nobody's done it.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
9. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 18:10 · Score: 0
  
  I was thinking of being able to beam images/video directly into the pupils (low enough energy not to harm your eyes).
10. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by thygate · 2013-09-18 19:28 · Score: 1
  
  60 Hz would be terrible. Let's imagine they can IQ modulate 64 symbols (6 bits per symbol) with a samplerate of 60 Hz, that gets you 6 * 30 (Nyquist) = 180 bits per second.
11. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Ungrounded+Lightning · 2013-09-19 06:39 · Score: 1
  
  60 Hz would be terrible. Let's imagine they can IQ modulate 64 symbols (6 bits per symbol) with a samplerate of 60 Hz, that gets you 6 * 30 (Nyquist) = 180 bits per second.
  That's per pixel in the modulator. Now multiply by the number of (mega) pixels.
  The modulator is essentially the guts of an LCD display so you get the same bandwidth as the video image it could display. What's new is:
  - You're modulating the(many) modes of the cavity itself, rather than shaping the beam after it emerges.
  - You're modulating the modes rapidly, rather than by hand-replacing components (call it one symbol per hour if you're good at it).
  
  --
  Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
12. Re:Summary seems to be somewhat misleading. by Ungrounded+Lightning · 2013-09-19 06:45 · Score: 1
  
  Not at all. The size (spacing) of the pixels relative to the wavelength limits the angle through which you can (first-order) diffract the beam,
  A hologram of a scene where only a small region, very near the spot the reference beam is aimed at, i.e. one that leaves most of the light nearly parallel to the reference beam on reconstruction, is a very low-resolution, big-blobby thing.
  
  --
  Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
Monster Cables by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 11:57 · Score: 0

Cant wait for the Digital Laser Gold Platinum Extreme $500 HDMI cables!
1. Re:Monster Cables by behrooz0az · 2013-09-18 12:26 · Score: 0
  
  no more waiting
  http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AKDL1-Dedicated-Cable-Version/dp/B000I1X6PM
  
  --
  Moderating "-1, Disagree" is simple censorship. Have the guts to post your opinion. -- Spazmania (174582)
2. Re:Monster Cables by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 13:53 · Score: 0
  
  The reviews on that are genuinely hilarious.
3. Re:Monster Cables by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 13:56 · Score: 0
  
  Especially the one from George Takei "The minute I plugged this cable in, I knew something was amiss. The first evidence? The small wormhole that appeared in our living room, right next to our holstein cowhide recliner...."
4. Re:Monster Cables by c0lo · 2013-09-18 16:21 · Score: 1
  
  Baah... who'd want copper when you can have silver.
  
  --
  Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
Yeah, but is it 3D printed? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 12:01 · Score: 0

Maybe in space, privately?
when the robo shark come out by Joe_Dragon · 2013-09-18 12:14 · Score: 1

when the robo shark come out
Rather long in the tooth? by leftover · 2013-09-18 13:36 · Score: 1

Spatial light modulators to shape laser beams were big stuff 25 years ago but I haven't seen mention of them for a very long time. Is there really anything new in this work or is it something (nearly) forgotten being rediscovered?

--
Bent, folded, spindled, and mutilated.
1. Re:Rather long in the tooth? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 00:24 · Score: 0
  
  I built similar for UCSD chem department about 20 years ago.
  Contained 256 LCD elements x 2 stacked to
  control group delay and amplitude.
  nothing new.
  jr
Too bad this idea was patented in 2000 by goombah99 · 2013-09-18 13:47 · Score: 2

here's the patent from 2000
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US6031852.pdf
instead of an LCD, which are slow, the inventors used an accoustoptic modulator as the pattern former. Those are fast. In fact they are so fast they could also use the pattern former to sweep the wavelength in real time or q switch the laser.

--
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
1. Re:Too bad this idea was patented in 2000 by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 13:50 · Score: 0
  
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18319825
No if we can just... by wbr1 · 2013-09-18 14:23 · Score: 0

Solve the analog shark problem, we will be all set! Sounds like a good darpa project.

--
Silence is a state of mime.
Hmm by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 14:34 · Score: 0

You know your country's science program sucks when you have to say:
"South African scientists are once again making noteworthy contributions to the world."
Power by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 17:29 · Score: 0

So, how much power can that LCD handle before it just melts?
Audio technology by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-18 18:52 · Score: 0

Does that mean they'll be able to create digital compact disc players in the future?
E. Peterbus Unum by dywolf · 2013-09-19 00:02 · Score: 0

I completely just read that as Petoria, and was expecting Joehio to be developing the sharks.

--
The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.
1. Re:E. Peterbus Unum by dywolf · 2013-09-20 00:27 · Score: 1
  
  ah, i see my mod stalker has struck again.
  
  --
  The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.
Researchers named it by Sockatume · 2013-09-19 00:05 · Score: 1

"Digital laser" is what the leader of the research group has dubbed it, and he's not the first optics researcher to call his invention a digital laser. "English major". Jesus Christ.
http://ntww1.csir.co.za/plsql/ptl0002/PTL0002_PGE157_MEDIA_REL?MEDIA_RELEASE_NO=7525990

--
No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
In Soviet Russia the ART priors YOU! by Thor+Ablestar · 2013-09-19 00:50 · Score: 1

There already has been something similar in Soviet Russia before 1990 but it was analog, not digital.
Russians have invented the laser TV projector where the lasing crystal was excited with scanning electron beam. Of course, it was purely experimental, monochrome and needed liquid nitrogen cooling but it worked spectacularly. The photo has been published in Russian popular RADIO magazine.
Fixed that for ya... by MrKaos · 2013-09-19 01:11 · Score: 0

South African Research Team Creates World's Frikken Digital Laser

--
My ism, it's full of beliefs.
Vinyl vs. CD's by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-19 03:27 · Score: 0

This is wonderful. I can stop using my vinyl collection to focus lasers. Shiny new CD's are the wave of the future.