Semiconductor laser diode trends
Since the invention of the world's first semiconductor laser in 1962, semiconductor lasers have changed dramatically, greatly contributing to the development of other science and technology.In recent years the development of low-power semiconductor lasers used in the field of information technology has been extremely rapid. Such as DFB and dynamic single-mode laser diodes for fiber optic communications, as well as laser diodes of visible wavelengths, and even laser diodes with ultrashort pulses, which are used in a large number of applications in optical disc processing, have all made substantial and innovative progress.
Low-power laser diodes are also characterized by high integration, high speed and tunability. The development of large, high-power semiconductor lasers has also accelerated.
In the 1980s, stand-alone laser diodes with output powers of more than 100 mW achieved conversion efficiencies of 39%. By the time the 1990s came around, the Americans had once again raised the index to a new level, reaching a conversion efficiency of 45%, and in terms of output power, there was also a shift from the W to the KW class.
At present, countries in the development project support, semiconductor laser chip structure, epitaxial growth and device packaging and other laser technology have made great progress, the performance of a single component has also achieved a major breakthrough: electro-optical conversion efficiency of more than 70%, very low beam divergence angle, a single bar continuous output power of more than kilowatts, the use of carbon nanometer (CN) heat sinks to make the laser's cooling efficiency than the traditional semiconductor bar Installation technology can be increased by 30%. 100μm width of a single tube output power of 24.6W, high-power continuous operation life up to tens of thousands of hours.
High-performance, high-power semiconductor lasers are also rapidly developing into fully curable lasers, which makes the LDP solid-state lasers have gained a new development opportunities and prospects.
Semiconductor lasers have the advantages of small size, light weight, long life, high operational reliability, low energy consumption, high efficiency of electro-optical conversion, easy to mass production and lower prices, etc., and have been widely used in CD laser disc players, fiber optic communications, optical memory, laser printers, etc., covering the entire field of optoelectronics.
With the continuous development and breakthroughs in technology, semiconductor lasers are developing in the direction of shorter emission wavelengths, higher emission power, ultra-compact and long life to meet the needs of various applications, and the product range is becoming more and more abundant. They are also used in a large number of applications in laser processing, 3D printing, LIDAR, laser ranging, military, medical and life sciences. In addition, by coupling into the fiber for transmission, high-power direct semiconductor lasers have been widely used in the cutting and welding field.