From: cdshaw@cs.ualberta.ca (Chris Shaw)
Subject: Re:  Integrated laser arrays for HMDs
Date: 	Thu, 31 Oct 1991 20:20:19 -0700
Organization: University of Alberta



In article Christopher Fry <70353.3056@CompuServe.COM> writes:
..enthusiastically about lasers on a chip

>Laser diode use a LOT of current ...

It chould be pointed out that the most efficient lasers are on the order
of 25% efficient (Carbon Dioxide lasers, if I remember right). That's a 
guaranteed 75% input current turned into heat. Semiconductor lasers currently 
have efficiencies on the order of 2-5%, which means that 95-98% of your input
power is lost. There's a significant packaging problem to be solved here
before we start talking about HMD applications.

By the way people, please don't use "eyephone" as a general term for 
"head-mounted display". "EyePhone" is a VPL trademark.

--
Chris Shaw               University of Alberta
cdshaw@cs.UAlberta.ca    CatchPhrase: Bogus as HELL !