The tiny micromirrors are placed on a semiconductor chip, known as a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). This technology can be found in several industries ranging from Head-up displays and Smart headlights in the automotive market, Smartphones and other display and projection applications to advanced light control in 3D printing.

Due to the extreme temperature environment these devices can be exposed to, engineers encounter a variety of thermal challenges when integrating digital light processing technology, including thermal noise, SWaP (size, weight, and power) constraints, lack of airflow, and outgassing. Digital light processors need to be kept below their maximum operating temperature to avoid image quality degradation and ensure maximum system uptime.

Laird Thermal Systems Solutions

Laird Thermal Systems offers thermoelectric coolers designed specifically for digital light processors applications, that absorb heat from the sensors during operation. 

The OptoTEC™ OTX/HTX Series is a miniature thermoelectric cooler offering high temperature stability for applications with tight geometric space constraints such as digital light processors.

The HiTemp ETX Series of thermoelectric coolers, provide precise temperature control in these environments where temperatures can range from 80°C to 150°C.

See Application Note on Cooling for Digital Light Processors.

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