Tunable High-Power External-Cavity GaN Diode Laser Systems in the Visible Spectral Range

Abstract

In this chapter, both blue and green high-power tunable diode laser systems based on GaN broad-area diode laser (BAL) in Littrow external cavity are demonstrated. For blue diode laser system, for high-power application, an output power around 530 mW over a 1.4 nm tunable range is obtained; for wide tunable range application, an output power around 80 mW over a 6.0 nm tunable range is obtained. For the green diode laser system, for high-power application, an output power around 480 mW with a tunable range of 2.1 nm is achieved; for wide tunable range application, an output power of 50 mW with a tunable range of 9.2 nm is achieved. The tuning range and output power optimization of an external-cavity diode laser system is investigated based on the experimental results obtained in the blue and green external-cavity GaN diode laser systems. The obtained results can be used as a guide for selecting gratings for external-cavity diode lasers for different requirements. The temporal dynamics of the green diode laser system is studied experimentally, and pulse package oscillation is observed, for the first time to our knowledge, in a BAL with an external-cavity grating feedback.

Single-frequency violet and blue laser emission from AlGaInN photonic integrated circuit chips

“…In addition, compact, narrow-linewidth blue sources would enable underwater laser range-finding (i.e., LiDAR) and communications [8], and PIC chips designed for beam steering via optical phased arrays have been proposed for emerging applications such as augmented and virtual reality displays. Today, however, most of the demanding laser specifications are only met using larger-sized, extended-cavity laser systems [9], limiting the addressable application space. Here, we describe a compact, chip-based laser concept that offers single-frequency, low phase-noise laser radiation with a vastly reduced form factor [10][11][12].…”

Single-Port Superluminescent-Diode Gain-Chip for Tunable Single-Wavelength and Dual-Wavelength Blue-Laser

“…In recent efforts to simplify these systems for niche applications, visible laser diodes used in conjunction with various external cavity (EC) configurations were investigated [8]. By incorporating external optical components to a laser diode, it is possible to control the laser's wavelength and linewidth [8], [9]. Other applications include direct modulation of such tunable laser diodes for dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) optical communication [10], and future highly dynamic displays [11].…”

Blue Laser Diode System With an Enhanced Wavelength Tuning Range

“…Tunable and narrow linewidth semiconductor laser diode systems in blue-violet region are indispensable sources in many applications; ranging from trace matter detection [1], biophotonics and bio-imaging [2], high resolution atomic and molecular spectroscopy [3], [4], holographic display and data storage [5], laser cooling [6], gas trace measurement [7], to sources for frequency conversion [8], and so on. Moreover, inherent features, such as simplicity, small footprint, cost-effective, and longer lifetime and efficiency, compared to their counterparts, for instance, metal-vapor, dye, and gas lasers, make these diode lasers promising and competing sources in this multitude of applications.…”