The major benefits to the gallery, the world's most advanced holographic imaging studio, are three-fold: power consumption has been reduced from 750W to 30W, so reducing costs; the light output is confined to a narrow band, giving improved contrast and superior visual quality; and the long-life element means there'll be no need to replace them for about 20 years. Olson sees the launch of CHIP lamps as an exciting development, suggesting that they "will have a major impact on display holography" and hopes that the industry will embrace the new technology, using the LEDs both as direct replacements for MR-16 lamps as well as a springboard to develop new products and to bring about new display venues.
Laser Reflections has such confidence in OptiLED's CHIP lamps that it has even uploaded an information page on its website, presenting the case of LEDs over halogens. Available in red, green, amber, blue and white, OptiLED's CHIP lamps fit into most MR-16 sockets, as well as many other fittings, accept either DC or AC power from 6V to 24V and can be specified with divergence cones ranging from 2 to 80 degrees. What's more, they are almost cool to the touch. Olson concludes: "You really have to see them first-hand to fully appreciate their impact, but trust me in saying that LEDs remove many of the negatives associated with the super critical element of lighting holographic images."
(Lee Baldock)
