Corporate Overview
Founded in 1996, eMagin Corporation has focused on making visual data accessible in virtually any circumstance through near-eye virtual imaging systems. Initially, the company focused on field-emitter displays (FEDs) to take advantage of their thinness and wide viewing angle. As organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology began to show promise for active matrix displays in the mid 90s, eMagin began exploring its potential for near-eye displays. Among the first to embrace the new OLED technology, eMagin’s scientists and engineers have developed the technology and know-how to apply emissive materials to silicon-based chips to make very high performance, high-resolution microdisplays.
Making these displays into near-eye systems also requires sophisticated lightweight optics and efficient drive circuitry. eMagin’s system engineering provides these designs and guides their fabrication. The systems combine lightness, power-efficiency, durability, wide viewing angle, and comfortable viewing. The designs include monocular and stereo viewing systems. From the jet pilot’s command headset to the fireman’s smoke-penetrating vision system to a portable DVD viewing screen with the impact of the big screen, eMagin’s virtual imaging systems bring the clarity of an HDTV screen or computer monitor to near-eye systems.
The company began selling small quantities of its SVGA+ microdisplays to developers in May 2001. By February it began sampling its SVGA-3D microdisplay. Other equipment manufacturers are using or considering these devices for near-eye and headset applications in products such as entertainment and gaming headsets, handheld Internet and telecommunication appliances, viewfinders, and wearable computers.
In 2005, eMagin began selling its first end-user product, the Z800 3DVisor. The Z800 3DVisor delivers an unrivaled gaming experience, combining 3D viewing with responsive head tracking and power efficiency. Based on eMagin’s OLED microdisplays and patented optics, the 3DVisor delivers high-color, high-contrast imagery equivalent to a 105-inch screen viewed at twelve feet, in full-color stereovision. The high-speed head tracking enables 360-degree viewing. Completing this experience is an integrated, audio system with high-fidelity ear buds and a built-in, noise-canceling microphone.
Beginning its second decade, the company continues to advance as a supplier of components, modules, and near-eye displays. At the same time, to compnay continues to hold a leadership in OLED microdisplay technology and virtual imaging systems.