Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLP650LNIR
Tool/software:
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to select the right DLP chipset for a custom high-speed projector that I’m designing for a research project. The key requirements are:
- I need very high pattern rates — ideally more than or around 1,000 Hz in 8-bit mode (binary rate doesn’t matter as much, but the higher the better).
- The budget is tight. The DLP7000 is right on the edge of what can be afforded, while the DLP650LNIR is significantly more expensive (as the eval boards should be bought).
Now the questions: For brightness/contrast, I’d like to use laser diodes (RGB or single color) instead of LEDs. The beam will be homogenized (diffuser + integrator rod), so the DMD should only see a flat, uniform field (no raw laser spot).
I know that the 650LNIR is officially “laser qualified” while the 7000 is not. In practice, if the light is homogenized, is the 7000 safe to run with visible lasers?
What risks am I taking compared to using the 650LNIR? How much optical power can the DLP7000 realistically take without hurting the DMD or its window?
I’ve seen numbers from a couple of watts per cm2 up to >10 W/cm2 depending on wavelength. What’s the safe continuous limit for visible?
LED vs laser: Other than speckle, is there a real advantage to using high-power LEDs instead of lasers when it comes to DMD safety and lifetime?
And are there any other DLP parts I should be looking at that are cheaper than the DLP7000/650LNIR but can still hit high pattern rates and handle decent optical power?
I’d really appreciate your advice.
Thanks!