News

14 January 2009

 

Alfalight launches 808nm, 0.65W pump diode for green micro-lasers

Alfalight Inc of Madison, WI, USA, which manufactures high-power diode lasers for industrial, defense and telecoms markets, has made available samples of a wavelength-stabilized 0.65W, 808nm single-emitter pump diode laser, packaged on a small form factor 3mm x 4mm x 1mm Q-mount. Custom wavelengths and power outputs (0.5-5W) are also available.

The XMQ-808BW-48-061 extends Alfalight’s Wavelength Stabilization Technology (WST) to high-efficiency, temperature-stable diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) micro-laser applications such as pico-projector and laser display systems.

The proprietary WST technology uses an integrated grating on the laser chip, providing a pump wavelength locked on the narrow absorption band of the micro-laser gain medium without the need for power-hungry temperature control circuitry. Since the WST pump laser has an efficiency that matches standard pump technology, it can boost power efficiency and stability for both existing and new micro-laser designs, claims Alfalight. Moreover, operation and packaging are identical to a standard laser diode, simplifying design transitions.

By scaling down the emitter size of its high-power WST diodes, Alfalight can now provide a pumping solution that impacts the expansive opportunity for micro-laser suppliers to the consumer projection and display market, says VP sales & marketing Ron Bechtold. “Customers can now utilize Alfalight 808nm wavelength-stabilized technology to improve performance, while extending both the operating temperature range and the battery life of micro-green lasers,” he adds.

Due to improved absorption in the solid-state laser material, WST diodes can provide a significant increase in performance for existing micro-laser designs, the firm claims. Additional gains can be made in new designs, as one can maintain performance over a broad temperature range without temperature control circuitry. Specifically, WST provides much higher absorption in Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO4 micro-lasers - the peak absorption coefficient is more than 80% higher than for standard BAL - as the pump laser wavelength stays locked on the absorption peak of the gain material from 25°C to 45°C.

By adding a frequency-doubling technology, these micro-lasers are converted to efficient green laser light sources. For DPSS laser applications, this also means lower modal noise, since the grating stabilizes the modal content of the pump diode. For green laser applications, the output power stability is enhanced because the absorption of the pump beam is less dependent on temperature than for standard BAL.

See related items:

Alfalight launches 6W uncooled 940nm pump laser for CaTV and FTTx amplifiers

Alfalight launches AM6-976E series of 976 nm, 10 W uncooled pump laser diodes

Alfalight receives $1.36m Army contract to develop 1kW laser pump

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Visit: www.alfalight.com