High-power VCSEL systems and applications

Abstract

Easy system design, compactness and a uniform power distribution define the basic advantages of high power VCSEL systems. Full addressability in space and time add new dimensions for optimization and enable "digital photonic production". Many thermal processes benefit from the improved control i.e. heat is applied exactly where and when it is needed. The compact VCSEL systems can be integrated into most manufacturing equipment, replacing batch processes using large furnaces and reducing energy consumption. This paper will present how recent technological development of high power VCSEL systems will extend efficiency and flexibility of thermal processes and replace not only laser systems, lamps and furnaces but enable new ways of production.High power VCSEL systems are made from many VCSEL chips, each comprising thousands of low power VCSELs. Systems scalable in power from watts to multiple ten kilowatts and with various form factors utilize a common modular building block concept. Designs for reliable high power VCSEL arrays and systems can be developed and tested on each building block level and benefit from the low power density and excellent reliability of the VCSELs. Furthermore advanced assembly concepts aim to reduce the number of individual processes and components and make the whole system even more simple and reliable.

A 310 nm Optically Pumped AlGaN Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser

“…In addition, infrared VCSEL arrays delivering power densities over 100 W/cm 2 are used for industrial heating. 2 The VCSEL market will be further expanded when visible-emitting GaN-based VCSELs are commercialized. This will soon be a reality based on the recent immense improvement in performance 3 − 8 enabled by advances in thermal management, 3 , 6 , 9 optical confinement, 5 , 10 , 11 mirror reflectivity, 8 , 10 , 12 and electrical injection.…”

New frontiers in time-domain diffuse optics, a review

“…92 The increased interest in this technology will push the development of VCSELs emitting in a spectral region suitable for diffuse optics. This last issue can be overcome by pulsing an array of VCSELs instead of a single chip.…”

“…As pointed out by key technology players, 92 it is likely that future smartphones will host onboard many VCSELs for increased interactions with the environment and the people. Next-gen TD systems could be easily produced as smart all-integrated microelectronic devices using standard technologies or exploiting low-cost production of standard telecom components (e.g., VCSELs).…”

Surface grating loaded VCSEL with single mode power of over 80 mW

“…With various advantages such as low cost and low power consumptions, VCSEL has been a key light source in short-reach optical communication systems [1,2,3,4,5]. As technology matures, VCSEL applications diversified including laser mice, printers, medical imaging and so on [6,7,8,9,10,11]. In recent years, VCSEL technology for 3D sensing has been attracting more and more interests [12,13,14,15,16].…”