Thomas Hoefer

Progress in ultra-compact green frequency doubled optically pumped surface emitting lasers

Compact, stable and efficient green lasers are of great interest for many applications like mobile video projection, sensing, distance measurement and instrumentation. Those applications require medium values of output power in the 50mW range, good wall-plug efficiency above 5 % and stable operation over a wide temperature range. In this paper we present latest results from experimental investigations on ultra-compact green intracavity frequency doubled optically pumped semiconductor InGaAs disk lasers. The green laser setup has been limited to a few micro optical and semiconductor components built on a silicon backplane and fits within an envelope of less than 0.4 cc. An optical frequency looking scheme in order to fix the fundamental wavelength over varying operating conditions like changing output power and ambient temperature has been applied. The cavity has been optimized for fast modulation response and high efficiency using quasi-phase matching non-linear material. Recent data from cw and high-frequency characterization is presented.

High-performance at low cost: the challenge manufacturing frequency doubled green semiconductor lasers for mass markets

Laser projection arising as a new application in the consumer market has been the driving force for OSRAM Opto Semiconductors to develop a frequency doubled semiconductor laser and the production technology necessary to make the complexity of an advanced laser system affordable. Optically pumped frequency doubled semiconductor lasers provide an ideal platform to serve the laser projection application. Based on this scalable technology, we developed a 50 mW green laser comprising all the properties that can be expected from a high performance laser: Excellent beam quality and low noise, high speed modulation, good efficiency and long life time. More than that, the package is very compact (<0.4 cm3) and may be operated passively cooled at up to 60°C. Managing lasing wavelength and controlling phase matching conditions have been major design considerations. We will describe the key characteristics of the green laser, and will also present results from reliability testing and production monitoring.