A novel holographic light-diffusing technology promises to improve lighting in flat-panel display and specialized flashlight applications. Developed by Physical Optics Corp. of Torrance, Calif., the technique helps shape diffuse light beams by bending them in useful directions. Light transmission through the clear diffusers is 90 percent, compared to 30 to 50 percent with conventional frosted-glass light diffusers used in standard displays. According to the company, a notebook computer screen using the diffusers would glow up to 15 times brighter.