VCSEL array-based light exposure system for laser printing

Mukoyama, Naotaka; Otoma, Hiromi; Sakurai, Jun; Ueki, Nobuaki; Nakayama, H.

doi:10.1117/12.768479

Cited by 24 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Such components have found applications in laser printing where arrays of individually addressable VCSELs (780 nm) are used as light sources to simultaneously improve print resolution and speed [5]. The array has a large number (32) of closely spaced single-mode VCSELs with small beam divergence, enabling a print resolution as high as 2,400 dpi and fast color reproduction with print speeds of several tens of pages per minute.…”

Section: Applications and Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Mode VCSELs

Larsson

Gustavsson

2012

Springer Series in Optical Sciences

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The only active transverse mode in a truly single-mode VCSEL is the fundamental mode with a near Gaussian field distribution. A single-mode VCSEL produces a light beam of higher spectral purity, higher degree of coherence and lower divergence than a multimode VCSEL and the beam can be more precisely shaped and focused to a smaller spot. Such beam properties are required in many applications. In this chapter, after discussing applications of single-mode VCSELs, we introduce the basics of fields and modes in VCSELs and review designs implemented for singlemode emission from VCSELs in different materials and at different wavelengths. This includes VCSELs that are inherently single-mode as well as inherently multimode VCSELs where higher-order modes are suppressed by mode selective gain or loss. In each case we present the current state-of-the-art and discuss pros and cons. At the end, a specific example with experimental results is provided and, as a summary, the most promising designs based on current technologies are identified. IntroductionThe vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is an attractive light source for an expanding range of applications. Due to low cost manufacturing, low power consumption, simplified packaging, attractive beam properties (circular and low divergence beam) and excellent high-speed modulation characteristics at low currents, it has replaced the edge-emitting laser in short-reach optical communication links

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Section: Applications and Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Mode VCSELs

Larsson

Gustavsson

2012

Springer Series in Optical Sciences

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“…Using VCSEL elements it is possible to construct 2-D arrays and thereby enable higher printing speeds to be attained. Such lasers have been demonstrated operating at ~ 780 nm, but although relatively large arrays of 32 elements have been fabricated, their output power is curently limited to 3 mW with array pitch of 30 μm (Mukoyama et al 2008). Nevertheless, VCSEL arrays do provide another route towards fulfilling the requirements of future generation digital print presses.…”

Section: Alternative Array Designsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of Laser Diode Arrays for Printing Applications

Kowalski¹

2012

Semiconductor Laser Diode Technology and Applications

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“…13 Single-mode and polarization stable VCSELs might also be of interest in high-density optical data storage, most likely only for read-out where 4-5 mW is required, and not for writing where the power levels required are about 30-40 mW, 14 much higher than what a single-mode VCSEL can deliver. GaN-VCSELs could also be of interest for laser display applications, such as head-up-displays, near-eye displays 15 and picoprojectors, which do not require so much optical output power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and challenges in electrically pumped GaN-based VCSELs

et al. 2016

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The Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is an established optical source in short-distance optical communication links, computer mice and tailored infrared power heating systems. Its low power consumption, easy integration into two-dimensional arrays, and low-cost manufacturing also make this type of semiconductor laser suitable for application in areas such as high-resolution printing, medical applications, and general lighting. However, these applications require emission wavelengths in the blue-UV instead of the established infrared regime, which can be achieved by using GaN-based instead of GaAs-based materials. The development of GaN-based VCSELs is challenging, but during recent years several groups have managed to demonstrate electrically pumped GaN-based VCSELs with close to 1 mW of optical output power and threshold current densities between 3-16 kA/cm 2 . The performance is limited by challenges such as achieving high-reflectivity mirrors, vertical and lateral carrier confinement, efficient lateral current spreading, accurate cavity length control and lateral optical mode confinement. This paper summarizes different strategies to solve these issues in electrically pumped GaN-VCSELs together with state-of-the-art results. We will highlight our work on combined transverse current and optical mode confinement, where we show that many structures used for current confinement result in unintentionally optically anti-guided resonators. Such resonators can have a very high optical loss, which easily doubles the threshold gain for lasing. We will also present an alternative to the use of distributed Bragg reflectors as high-reflectivity mirrors, namely TiO2/air high contrast gratings (HCGs). Fabricated HCGs of this type show a high reflectivity (>95%) over a 25 nm wavelength span.

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VCSEL array-based light exposure system for laser printing

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Single-Mode VCSELs

Single-Mode VCSELs

The Development of Laser Diode Arrays for Printing Applications

Progress and challenges in electrically pumped GaN-based VCSELs

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