High-Performance, High-Efficiency Laser Bars From OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.BRILASI Research Project Produces New Generation of Laser Bars for Pumping of Solid-State Lasers A solid-state laser is a laser that uses a gain medium that is a solid, rather than a liquid such as in dye lasers or a gas as in gas lasers. Semiconductor-based lasers are also in the solid state, but are generally considered as a separate class from solid-state lasers (see and Direct Material Processing SANTA CLARA Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. , Calif. -- As part of its "BRILASI" research project, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has improved the performance parameters of laser bars (laser chips) - their efficiency, output power, lifetime and beam quality - optimizing the overall product for premium performance. The results include laser chips with a wavelength of 910 to 980 nm that achieve an optical output of 120 W under real-world conditions and a typical efficiency of 70%. "With this latest generation of laser bars we will be able to offer much more powerful components," said Ellen Sizemore, Director, LED/IR Marketing OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc. All manufacturers of diode lasers See laser diode. can benefit because OSRAM has been long established as an independent supplier of laser chips and laser bars. The semiconductor specialist will launch this high-performance initiative with laser bars that have a 50% fill factor. (The fill factor of a bar defines the ratio of active width to overall width.) The main applications for these laser bars include pumping of solid-state lasers and direct material processing. In addition to laser bars with a wavelength of 910 to 980 nm that achieve an efficiency of 70% at 120 W, OSRAM will produce laser bars with wavelengths of 808 nm and 880 nm which will deliver an efficiency of 62% at 120 W. Structures with a fill factor of 20% that are ideal for optical fiber coupling applications complete the range of new more powerful components. OSRAM initially expects to produce 20% fill factor laser bars in the 910 to 980 nm wavelength range with a recommended output of 80 W. A platform for new applications With the new, more powerful laser bars, system output can be increased and still deliver the same lifetime. Additionally, systems can be made smaller and more reliable, without compromising output. Samples of the new unmounted laser bars are currently available. The product launch for standard industrial laser bars with a 50% fill factor is planned for summer 2008; structures for optical fiber coupling applications will be launched in fall 2008. About the BRILASI Research Project The "BRILASI" research project (Brilliant High-Power Laser Diodes A semiconductor-based laser used to generate analog signals or digital pulses for transmission through optical fibers. Both laser diodes and LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are used for this purpose, but the laser diode generates a smaller beam that is easier to couple with the smaller core for Industrial Applications, FKZ 13N8601) was initiated by the Germany Ministry for Education and Research and executed by the VDI (1) (Video Device Interface) An Intel standard for speeding up full-motion video performance. See DCI. (2) (Virtual Device Interface) An ANSI standard format for creating device drivers. VDI has been incorporated into CGI. (Association of German Engineers); OSRAM served as the project coordinator. The project team was comprised of various partners from the laser system and end user sectors, as well as representatives from research institutes. The aim of the project was to develop highly efficient and reliable diode lasers for industrial applications. OSRAM has achieved the objective of this research project with laser bars that can be used at 100 to 170 W in a 20,000 hour continuous wave (CW) or long-pulse mode - depending on the emission wavelength and mounting technology. The key to this success was the optimization optimization Field of applied mathematics whose principles and methods are used to solve quantitative problems in disciplines including physics, biology, engineering, and economics. of the epitaxial structures Epitaxial structures Epitaxial interfaces in solids are a special class of crystalline interfaces where the molecular arrangement of one crystal on top of another is defined by the crystallographic and chemical features of the underlying crystal. , particularly with regard to reducing electrical losses to a minimum. Researchers found that it was possible to reduce the electrical series resistances without increasing the optical absorption losses, while at the same time improving the laser resonator resonator /res·o·na·tor/ (rez´o-na?ter) 1. an instrument used to intensify sounds. 2. an electric circuit in which oscillations of a certain frequency are set up by oscillations of the same frequency in another . For more information, please contact OSRAM Opto Semiconductors at www.osram-os.com or call 888-446-7726. About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors OSRAM is part of the Industry sector of Siemens and one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. The subsidiary OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH (Regensburg, Germany) offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor A device that measures or detects a real-world condition, such as motion, heat or light and converts the condition into an analog or digital representation. An optical sensor detects the intensity or brightness of light, or the intensity of red, green and blue for color systems. and visualization Using the computer to convert data into picture form. The most basic visualization is that of turning transaction data and summary information into charts and graphs. Visualization is used in computer-aided design (CAD) to render screen images into 3D models that can be viewed from all applications. The company employs more than 4,000 people worldwide and operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), Santa Clara (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). Sales for the fiscal year ending September 2007 totaled more than EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 520 million. For more information, visit www.OSRAM-os.com. |
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