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Read about the Display Market, AR/VR, a National Quantum Initiative, Advocacy, Special Events, New Reports and Other Noteworthy News, Opinions & Opportunities
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In this Issue:
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The Display Market Continues to Surprise
Just when you thought that the $140 billion display industry would be maturing, something new comes along. OLED displays have been in commercial products for most of two decades, but were introduced into large format TVs about five years ago and are most associated with LG Display. Photoemissive quantum dots were introduced into LCD backlights for TVs about the same time, by Sony. But there's more to come. Samsung introduced new emissive microLED displays this January, at CES 2018. Not only is the technology a break from LCD and OLED displays, the displays have a very fine bezel, allowing Samsung to create a 146-inch diagonal wall display—called "The Wall"—by tiling a seamless mosaic of smaller displays. That's over 12 feet diagonally. Samsung recently announced it is now taking orders for the microLED TV product, aimed first at enterprise customers.
 The life-size Samsung microLED Wall. Source: OIDA, from CES 2018. |
While Samsung is promoting the technology to capture market share in large format displays starting this year, microLED technology also has promise for smaller displays, such as for virtual, augmented, or mixed reality (VR, AR, and MR) headsets. These headset technologies have many challenges, from technical hurdles to identifying and growing market applications from nothing. In any case, it's bringing new investment and attention to display development. For example, Apple opted to invest early and bought microLED developer LuxVue Technology back in 2014.
 Source: OIDA, from company reports. |
Meanwhile, the overall quarterly revenues for major display companies, shown in the figure converted into U.S. dollars, have not been growing. Competitive price pressure perennially restricts growth. Changes in exchange rates from native currencies to U.S. dollars can affect how the revenues appear in the figure, but revenues are also relatively flat in native currencies as well.
There is an interesting seasonal effect visible in the chart: the first quarter of the calendar year tends to drop in revenues, most likely due to a hangover from holiday sales. Suppliers of materials for displays may see the same effect but earlier in the year.
For more on AR/VR technology, see the next item and plan to attend sessions featuring AR/VR at the OSA annual meeting, Frontiers in Optics, on 19-20 September 2018 in Washington DC. For the program, see here.
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OIDA Sensors Forum—AR/VR is More than a Display
Both keynote speakers at the OIDA Executive Forum on the Exploding Role of Optics in Sensing cited AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality) as a leading example of a very broad technology wave that merges human-computer perception and will require advances in optics and other technologies prior to commercialization. These themes were explored further when investors in the AR/VR industry asked the optics community participants for lighter, smaller but also higher resolution and more intelligent optical sensors. The OIDA event was held on 14 May in San Jose, CA collocated with CLEO 2018.
According to the 2017 Gartner Hype Cycle, VR has already exited the "trough of disillusionment" and is well on its way to becoming a significant market. AR is following closely behind and promises to cause an even bigger change to our lives. For optics practitioners, when we hear about AR/VR what usually comes to mind first is display technologies. But optics actually has several other key roles. The failure of 3D TV may come down to the lack of differentiating content. In order to give the user a fully immersive (VR) or seamlessly integrated (AR) experience, the system needs to detect the users surroundings, track the user's eye direction and focus, and understand how the user interprets visual cues to merge the real and digital worlds.
 Praveen Gupta (right) with Alex Fong at the OIDA Executive Forum. |
Praveen Gupta from HTC's investment operations, pointed out the gaps that are preventing the kind of immersive experience that is necessary for widespread consumer adoption. It is not just a matter of having higher resolution displays as in 3D TV. Pixilation arises from computing of high resolution images in real-time while allowing the user to interact in all the ways they are used to doing in real life. That means allowing a full range of head movements, eye movements, and changes of eye focus. Gesture recognition—which uses infrared optics—means the system is also tracking the rest of your body. For a VR system where the real world image is not present, computation may be needed to put your hand correctly (back) into what you see.
Pat O'Connor of Microsoft highlighted that optical sensors generate very large amounts of data—multiple parameters associated with each pixel of high-resolution cameras—which challenge semiconductor IC capabilities. Foveation is a technique that recognizes that users require very high resolution where they are focused but mimics the human eye in reducing resolution in peripheral views. So the use of an eye tracker sensor can trade off some of the data processing and transmission load.
 Microsoft HoloLens image sensors. Source: Microsoft. |
Loup Ventures is a new VC firm that looks broadly at what they call "frontier technologies", really exotic world-changing stuff. It is gratifying but also somewhat daunting that founder Gene Munster calls optical sensing (coupled with computational interpretation) a "foundational" technology for the next big wave. Several speakers alluded to the connections between optics for AR/VR to other rapidly developing areas.
Jacob Mullins from Shasta Ventures vouched for a high level of investment in the AR/VR developer ecosystem. He believes there is a lingering public perception of a "VR winter" that is lagging the reality. In fact, the VR market is doubling year-on-year. He points out that AR/VR hardware is a platform like the PC or internet which enables new software applications. Doug Kreysar from Radiant Vision Systems shared that new gesture-recognition optics requires the invention of new manufacturing metrology optics as well. Michael Janse from Samsung Ventures took the discussion even further to touch on the tricky issue of consumer imaging and privacy. He recommended investment into "local imaging" and local processing which can protect privacy by transmitting the inferences rather than the raw images.
OSA will feature AR/VR on 19-20 September 2018 at the OSA annual meeting, Frontiers in Optics, in Washington DC. For the program, see here. For more on the May event and OIDA's comments on the Hype Cycle, see previous OIDA newsletters here and here and an OSA Optics & Photonics News article here.
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A National Quantum Initiative Moves Forward
The U.S. Congress is getting serious about quantum research. In the House of Representatives, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced legislation to create the National Quantum Initiative. Smith says that the initiative "will promote greater quantum research, standards, federal coordination, and collaboration among the key quantum players — laboratories, industry and universities." If passed in its current form, the House legislation would authorize funding the program at US$ 1.275 billion over five years. Similarly, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation also introduced bipartisan quantum legislation creating a large research program.
The legislation follows extensive consultation with the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) and others. The NPI has been actively working with lawmakers to lay groundwork for legislation since 2017. Last year, at the request of the House Science Committee, the NPI created a white paper entitled A Call for a National Quantum Initiative. In October 2017, Dr. Chris Monroe, chief scientist and founder, IonQ, and professor of physics at the University of Maryland, touted the potential benefits of quantum technology in testimony before the committee given on behalf the NPI. In April 2018, the NPI unveiled the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Action Plan and presented it to lawmakers during the annual NPI Capitol Hill Day that month.
 Dr. Chris Monroe (far left), University of Maryland, sits on the quantum computing panel on Capitol Hill while House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (far right) introduces the National Quantum Initiative Act. |
A 2016 White House report estimated U.S. non-classified government funding of quantum science at US$ 200 million per year. OIDA estimates that worldwide unclassified government funding is in the range of US$ 1 billion per year, and private sector funding is in the range of US$ 0.5 billion per year, for a combined total of US$ 1.5 billion/year (not including classified research). Much of the investment, particularly from the private sector, is for quantum computing development.
OSA is an active co-founding member of the NPI. For more information on the legislation, please contact OSA director of government affairs David Lang at dlang@osa.org. A National Quantum Initiative one pager from the House Science Committee can be viewed here. The NPI statement on the legislation can be viewed here.
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Welcome New OIDA Member
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OSA Fellow Awarded the 10 Millionth US Patent
 Andrei Iancu, Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office; Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce; Donald J. Trump, President; Joseph Marron (OSA Fellow) and Thomas Kennedy, Raytheon Company. |
Congratulations to OSA Fellow Joseph Marron, Raytheon Company, USA for receiving the 10 millionth US patent. The patent for "Coherent Ladar Using Intra-Pixel Quadrature Detection" symbolizes the breadth of American invention, with applications in such varied fields as autonomous vehicles, medical imaging devices, military defense systems, and space and undersea exploration. Learn more.
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Register for the AIM Photonics Summer Academy at MIT 23-27 July 2018
Integrated photonics is driving breakthrough applications in datacom, RF signal processing, sensing, and augmented reality.
AIM Photonics Academy is offering a week of intensive short courses and design software workshops on integrated photonics: materials, devices, design software training and integrated photonic circuit design, chip fabrication, packaging, testing, and system applications at MIT.
Attendees register for a Fundamentals or Applied education track.
- Learn with instructors from MIT, Dartmouth College, University of Delaware, University of Rochester, RIT, Analog Photonics, and AIM Photonics
- Network with a cohort of colleagues from academia and industry
- Meet leading Electronic Photonic Design Automation software vendors from Cadence, Lumerical, Mentor, PhoeniX Software, and Synopsis, to review the latest achievements in circuit simulation, layout, and design rule check
- Collaborate and present a design team project that synthesizes your learning objectives
Learn More
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OSA Frontiers in Optics + APS Laser Science
The OSA Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science APS/DLS conference is organized around four themes that collectively represent leading-edge applications in optics and photonics: from automotive optics to virtual reality. Each theme operates as a workshop within the conference, which gives you the flexibility to do a deep-dive in one or two themes, or sample from all four. This month, we highlight the Nanophotonics and Plasmonics theme.
Over the past 20 years, studies of the interactions and manipulation of light with nanostructures have demonstrated new and unique applications of nanophotonics and plasmonics with a promise for new devices that can filter, trap, confine and enhance light at the nanometer scale.
Through a series of sessions comprised of invited speakers, you'll learn how nanoplasmonics is driving a "second nanophotonic revolution", uncovering new effects and translating nanophotonics to innovative practical functions. Anchoring the theme are two talks from "visionary speakers" — Teri Odom, Northwestern University, and Mark Brongersma, Stanford University.
Learn More
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Take Advantage of Your OIDA Member Discount. Exhibit at FiO to Connect with Customers, Educate Your Team and Grow Your Business!
Science & Industry Showcase, FiO's Enhanced Exhibition: 18-19 September, Washington, D.C., USA
The 2018 OSA Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science APS/DLS conference is offering special exhibit discounts to OIDA Members.
This year's event is expecting over 1,200 attendees, and will be focused on 4 key rapidly evolving and expanding markets: Automotive, Nanophotonics and Plasmonics, Quantum Technologies, and Virtual Reality and Augmented Vision.
The exhibitor prospectus is now available. Download it now to learn more about the event and how your company can benefit from exhibiting. |
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Save the Date for OIDA Executive Forum on 8 November in Boston
Mark your calendar to attend OIDA Executive Forum at the OSA Laser Congress in Boston, MA on 8 November. Join business leaders in a dynamic discussion and share perspectives that are critical to understanding the rapidly expanding laser market. Information will be available in late July.
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Top 5 Reasons to Attend the OSA Laser Applications Conference, 4-8 November in Boston
- New all invited speaker format for industry — hear from thought leaders in industrial applications.
- Network with both scientific and industrial leaders in the laser field.
- Strong program focus on Materials Processing and Applications for High Power Lasers.
- Enhanced exhibition with over 70 companies.
- You'll witness innovative solutions and thought-leadership on and off the show floor that will accelerate your business for the year ahead.
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The Laser Applications Conference (LAC) is an all invited speaker format for industry in Laser Applications at the OSA Lasers Congress. This 3-day meeting focuses on two main topic areas — Materials Processing and Applications for High Power Lasers. One of the themes of this meeting will be to initiate discussions on what engineering and production advances are needed to translate promising technological advances into marketable products. |
Secure Your Place at This Must-Attend Event and Save When You Register by 9 October. Registration opens in late July. Interested in exhibiting? OIDA members get a special discount. Learn more.
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Get Your Industry Expertise Published in Applied Optics
Engineering and Laboratory Notes (E&L Notes), from OSA's journal for applications-centered research, Applied Optics, highlight laboratory techniques and hands-on skills technicians and specialists can utilize for the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, alignment, and measurement of optical components and systems.
E&L Notes offer engineers and specialists a prominent venue to publish observations from their engineering notebook.
Why Should You Publish An E&L Note in Applied Optics?
- To develop new business opportunities for your company
- To promote your company's new innovations by publishing its patent approvals and applications
- To gain recognition for your company and attract new customers
- To accelerate your career by having your article widely distributed through a high-quality journal that is well respected in the field
- To provide tips, best practices, and techniques to colleagues in industry and academia
Want to learn more about E&L Notes? Read the full description of this feature or view the library of published E&L Notes.
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Invitation to Join the Optics and Photonics Industry LinkedIn Group
Join 3,000+ of your colleagues in our Optics & Photonics Industry Network LinkedIn Group. This one-of-a-kind Forum for Industry lets you participate in discussions about cutting-edge issues. Extend your professional network. Exchange information about problems, ideas and solutions. Collaborate with experts in your field. Now is the perfect time to build a relationship with fellow optics and photonics professionals!
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Take advantage of your OIDA (OSA Industry Development Associates) Member Benefits
We are committed to ensuring the value of your OSA Industry Development Associates Membership, so please email OIDA if you have any suggestions for new programs or comments on your membership.
Forward this message to your colleagues.
Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits of membership.
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OIDA (OSA Industry Development Associates) Council
Thank you to the volunteers who oversee the programs and services available to the Industry Community.
• Claudio Mazzali,
Corning, Inc., Chair
• Alex Fong,
TruTag Technologies, Inc.,
Past Chair
• John Dexheimer,
Lightwave Advisors |
• Amy Eskilson,
Inrad Optics
• Christoph Harder,
Harder and Partner
• Fred Leonberger,
EOvation
Technologies, LLC |
• Inge Kabert,
Thorlabs
• Martin Seifert
• Debbie Wilson,
Lumentum |
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