News: Optoelectronics
26 June 2023
BluGlass showcasing enhanced GaN laser products at Laser World of Photonics
In booth 539 (Hall B2) at the Laser World of Photonics 2023 event in Munich, Germany (27–30 June), BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia — which manufactures gallium nitride (GaN) blue laser diodes based on its proprietary low-temperature, low-hydrogen remote-plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology — is showcasing enhanced GaN laser products featuring significant performance improvements in light emission, power conversion efficiencies, and voltage. Specifically, the firm’s blue 450nm single-mode and multi-mode devices feature increases in power conversion efficiency of more than 55% and 42%, respectively, from those launched at Photonics West 2023 in San Francisco at the end of January, enabling their use in more demanding customer applications such as quantum computing, robotics and biotechnology.
Customers can inspect BluGlass’ enhanced performance data at Laser World across the 405nm, 420nm and 450nm wavelengths in single-mode and multi-mode devices. The firm is also using the conference to launch a new 397nm ultraviolet single-mode alpha product on the market. UV lasers are increasingly being sought after for quantum sensing applications, advanced disinfection technologies, water and surface purification applications, and medical devices.
BluGlass’ product suite now includes six commercial and three prototype products, available in a range of form factors including TO cans of various sizes, and chip-on-submounts.
DFB update
Together with its collaboration partner University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), BluGlass has made significant improvements to its GaN distributed feedback laser (DFB) demonstrations using its proprietary RPCVD technology for longer-wavelength devices. The firm has improved DFB side-mode suppression ratio by more than 50% since Photonics West, delivering advanced single-frequency performance at 450nm and demonstrating longer-wavelength DFB lasers up to 478nm.
DFB single-frequency lasers are commonly utilized in non-visible wavelengths to enable devices that require narrow spectral width and high spectral purity, such as quantum applications. GaN-based DFB lasers are currently not commercially available in visible wavelengths. BluGlass is releasing an updated GaN DFB white paper at Laser World.
Vertical integration
BluGlass is nearing the completion of vertical integration, with production moved from four out of five contract manufacturers (CMs) into its Silicon Valley fab. The firm is now in advanced stages of completing the integration of the final back-side contract manufacturer.
Since acquiring its laser diode fabrication facility in Silicon Valley and commencing operations in July 2022, BluGlass has accelerated development and production, mitigated reliability challenges to launch a suite of GaN lasers, advanced long-term roadmaps, and begun shipping products to customers.
“Our enhanced GaN laser products are shifting our market position from an emerging alternative supplier to an agile player that is focused on providing high-quality and competitive GaN lasers,” says CEO Jim Haden. “As a dedicated GaN laser supplier, we are focused on launching innovative products that address gaps in the market whilst also improving the baseline performance of our existing lasers… This strategy broadens our target customer base,” he adds. “Performance improvements are a direct result of greater operational control, and we are nearing completion of vertical integration of our front-end contract manufacturers. Given our aggressive improvement curve, we remain confident in our ability to gain market share in a rapidly growing category with very few players and high barriers to entry.”
BluGlass secures GaN laser purchase orders for testing in quantum sensing and surgical applications
BluGlass secures first customer purchase orders for 405nm and 420nm commercial lasers
BluGlass launches suite of 405nm, 420nm and 450nm single- and multi-mode lasers
GaN lasers from BluGlass’ Silicon Valley fab meeting or exceeding performance benchmarks
