Hand-held holograms
Words Gabriela Lee

Researchers from the University of Cambridge in England and Light Blue Optics Ltd. are figuring out a way to transform bulky video projection equipment into sleek, laser-driven projectors using holographic technology. This may lead to pocket-sized, battery-powered video projectors that produce images whose quality matches that of today's full-sized projectors. According to Adrian Cable, a researcher at the University of Cambridge in England and director of Light Blue Optics Ltd., this type of projector could be easily attached to a laptop or other similar devices.

Contributing to the lack of bulk is the removal of lenses and high-power light bulbs that are integral to your conventional projector. In the design, a two-dimensional hologram is shown instead of an image, and then it is projected onto a screen by shining a laser beam through the micro-display, which then scatters the light into a particular pattern. Everything is done through diffusion - hence the lack of lamps. As of the moment, prototypes are only in black and white, but the researchers are attempting to configure the design in order to generate full-color quality images.