A display apparatus for producing colored pixelated light includes a backlight unit for producing pump-beam light and a vertical cavity laser array device including a structure for modulating the properties of the device at spaced locations so as to provide an array of spaced laser pixels which have higher net gain than the interpixel regions, and an active region which includes portions for producing different colored light in response to the pump-beam light. The apparatus also includes a light shutter and a beam expander disposed over the light shutter for increasing the angular cone of view of the selected colored light.